I try to cap what I spend, I'm in my fifth maybe sixth year of ownership, my missus is on her fifth car since then, three smashed, one had auto problems and wasn't worth fixing(It was a punishment car for smashing the first 2 nice commodores she had) then I built her an Astra that I bought with a blown motor, she used that to push a Ford Ranger into a pedestrian island complete with safety rail, high kerb etc. $17k damage, lucky I always insist on at least 3rd party property insurance, But I love her and now she drives a s/charged s/pac commodore, if she hurts it she will be on the buses
I just buy wrecks to keep my car going and sell parts to subsidise it, we have decided that this year the micra gets a rebuilt engine, I hope then to get another 5+ years out of it, Its probably been the cheapest, strongest, most reliable car I've ever owned