I have noticed there are a larger proportion of older cars that look to be in respectable condition when I visit family in the Bay Area. Where I live, in the barely-north-east US (PA outside of Philly, maybe mid-atlantic would be more appropriate), either everyone likes newer cars, or, more likely, the road salt from winter storms trashes old cars a lot faster.
That said, it's just what you are used to. There are little bells and whistles on newer cars, and a lot of people that drive older cars are fine without them. I personally prefer less power stuff (power windows, power locks, etc) on my cars. But I like to own them for a while, and that is just stuff that is likely to break, IMO.
We have an 05 Matrix and and an 04 Dakota, both purchased new. So they are 9-10 years old now, with 145K and 104K miles respectively, and in my mind they are about 1/2 way through their useful life. The Matrix is just now hitting it's neediness stage, with shocks/struts and a new clutch put in this year. Plus a few other maintenance items- alignment, tires (though this isn't the first time for new tires), replace a broken door handle (so proud that I did this myself...) Altogether we've put at least $3000 into it this year. Which feels like a lot, but hopefully it will keep the "old" (it's all relative) thing going for another 145K miles. We always planned to take it to 200K, but with a fresh new clutch in it, I want to make it last longer.
I have thought a time or two this year that it would be nice to get a fresh new car and not have to worry about maintaining this one, but reaching for a new when things get a little old isn't a good habit. I still consider our cars very reliable and I don't worry about surprise break downs or anything. But then again, they really aren't that old. Older than most of my peers' cars, but in the grand scheme of things, I wouldn't go entering a "brag on your old car" post with these guys.