Until Toyota got good, everyone was turning the ignition key with one hand and crossing their fingers with the other every time they really needed to go somewhere. My sister’s brand new 1968 Chevelle 350 SS had a starter problem that continued until she got rid of it after 2 years. The Chevy dealer’s mechanic couldn’t figure it out. The best they could do was a put a piece of asbestos between the starter and engine block. Now they rebuild with an LS engine in them and call them Classic... Unless you’re afraid of your car not starting, it’s not really a classic.
We have a 2002 MR2 that starts and runs reliably, but the uncertainty is always which plastic underbody panel is going to come loose and drag on the road or on a tire.