You can maintain cars from the time I've suggested all by yourself, cheaper than any car made in the past 10 years. They extremely simple. You don't have to spend a bunch of money to get a tune up. They're still faster than the standard I4 cars of today. Can't say much about the gas, if you have a job and no family to take care of gas shouldn't be a problem. Older cars look better than new ones, they actually look different from each other.
Yes, they're easy to maintain if the previous owner didn't beat it to shit especially if the car is over 20 years old. A lot of cars with v8s from those times are on par with I-4's today, but nothing an engine swap can't fix if you have the money. Gas is probably the biggest problem, 14/18 isn't going to do wonders for me.
About the previous owner shit, that is why you examine the car you're about to buy very closely, then test drive it. I've never owned a car with a screwed up motor. The worst I've had is a fault fuel gauge, not a big deal if you know how much gas you're vehicle takes. Also about the V-8 v I-4 thing, I4s sound awful to me. That's just my bias opinion. Even driving a car with an I4 doesn't feel as good, same with I6 engines. They feel bad, sound bad, and take a lot out of your wallet when you have to do tune ups and repairs. For the cost of the repair my mom has to do to her Nissan Maxima I could turbo charge my truck (1990 GMC Sierra 2500 with a V-8 swapped in instead of the standard V-6), get a tune up, and fill the tank ($1,200). I can't argue about the gas though. Lol
I'll agree with that. I just have to make my point though. Lol
I agree w/ some of what you said.