For one thing the better gas mileage is not much of an improvement from the mid-eighties, gas was much cheaper then ('78-'84 prices were high, inflation-adjusted still not as high as right now though except maybe in 1981). If you buy a new car and your issue is capital or cash-flow how long the car lasts will not be a significant factor in your purchase. Don't get me started on car maintenance! You can hardly touch a modern car anymore yourself, you pretty much have to pay someone to do anything. But I will concede that a modern car needs a lot less work.