My car doesn't cost me much cuz I use the environmentally friendly extra somethingmajigga petrol that is better for the engine apparently. Since I've had it I've had to service it twice and now it needs a new CV rubber joint. Pretty good. It's only a 97 model, so it's quite old, but I guess you either score with cars or you get a lemon. As you said there's nothing in between.
I also don't drive my car very often, mostly I scam a lift off people cuz I hate to drive in the traffic