[PUGACHEV]

The quality of cars has declined steadily over the past 2 decades. There are very few cars that are reliable over 100,000 miles

Maybe I am lucky, but my experience has been the opposite. For example, I recall that in the '50s and early'60s a car that reached 100K was a phenomenon. Today, a car will easily hit 200K with simple routine maintenance. In fact, I have a 2002 and a 2004 CRV which both have in excess of 200K, and which require little attention, and run like tops. I put this down to (1) Electronic Fuel Control (ECF) which is far more durable than the old carburetors and points, and better alloys, made better still with more precisely controlled temperatures in machining.

[1Old Pro]

I recall that in the '50s and early'60s a car that reached 100K was a phenomenon

Not in Cuba.