We once bought a used Lexus for $4,000, (this was a very good deal)* we drove it 9 years and sold it for $3,100, that's $100 a year. We had no problems with the car, I may have had to my usual Toyota screw and epoxy fix to a door handle or two, but no big maintenance. The guy that bought the car came back a week later and told me how much he loves the car.
Our daily driver is a 1997 Toyota T-100, we paid $11,000 for it in 2000. (most expensive vehicle we ever bought) In 2018 a hurricane put a small crease above and behind side rear window, 5 inches long, and two small dimple on the hood. The insurance company totaled it. The paid me $2,900 after my $1,000 deductible. I bought it back for $726 and haven't done anything to the minor damage. I Have done minor repairs over the 22 years, such as replace the contacts in the starter twice, recently replaced the starter, replaced the air conditioner compressor, and the Brake master cylinder. So my cost is about $9,000** for a 22 year driving life and it's still driven every day. That's $409 dollars a year and still decreasing, not including minor repairs.
* We had a small business, when my wife saw a car she liked she would tell our customer, when you get ready to trade in your car, call me and I will buy it. Well it finally paid off, when we got the deal on $4,000 Lexus. It doesn't hurt that she is a cute 4'7" Asian that charms everyone!
** Not including minor repairs.
