Your argument has merits, but you can also go on Craigslist and see millions of newer cars for sale with 150,000 - 200,000 miles.
You didn’t see that in the old days.
I’m not disagreeing the new cars have advanced, I’m just saying they aren’t necessarily a better choice. My calculation is I can spend $20,000 every 12 years for a new car. Or I can put $120,000 into my Camaro and get the best car in the city, bar none, it will be worth $50,000 when I’m done and it will be good for another 20 years.
$20,000 gets me positraction, disk brakes, top end stereo, plush interior, Recaro seats, Centerline wheels, bullet proof 4 speed transmission, 450 horsepower engine rebuild. And $6000 left over.