I think we are of the same mind. I too am glad they don’t make cars the way they used to. Back in the 60’s we’d drive to KS from CA and take an extra set of belts and hoses, a starter, generator, water pump, fule pump, etc... cuz before the trip was over, at least one of those things would fail.
I buy new and get rid of my vehicles before they start having problems, which generally means I dump them before 175K.
We run diesels at work up to 800,000 or so.
Why can’t you take a trip with a 30 year old vehicle and a set of tools with an extra fuel pump, distributor, water pump, alternator, starter, etc. and get there just the same?
I’m still in KS and we still do that, and we still get there.