Bought a ‘97 Civic brand new. Three years ago, with only 165 k miles on it, I invested $3k in it. I just turned 62, hoping it is the last car i ever buy.
I hear ya.
Used to say, mostly in jest, that my '02 Dakota would probably outlive me.
For now we seem to be racing each other to the proverbial finish line.
The thing just 'fits' me about perfectly, so if takes $1K/yr from here on out it'll beat hell out of a new one for the ~46 million most of 'em cost these days.