unless you buy a cookiecutter japanese brand. then it just runs and
runs and runs with only replacement of consumables (ignition
components, fluids, wipers, etc)

my family has a 1996 subaru outback station wagon with 250k miles and
still going strong on the original engine. (all maintenance done to
schedule)

if you don't rag on your car too hard and make the little replacements
when necessary, the degradation can be held at bay with the few
smaller money items rather than the few large money items if you let
the wear and tear get out of hand.

my $.02 worth