@Galuade@snouts.online I regard cars in terms of Dollars, overall, per mile of expected vehicle lifespan.
That has a billion factors. But a $500 car I dump $3000 into in parts means I have a vehicle I know is in a reasonable state of repair, because I went and repaired it.
But to do that, you've gotta find one with Low Miles, or a previous owner who maintained it.
So, I look for old folks Coffin Cars. The last car they bought new, knowing it was gonna be the last one they owned.
They were dying, but the CAR got washes, oil changes, and was kept Clean, except for the cigarette smoke.
And then their kids or grandkids don't want a boat that smells just like Grandma always did because they get sad whenever they drive it.

So they sell it for hardly anything, and you get a prestige ride for any respectable furry. You can long haul with all your friends, three fursuits and a gallon of vodka to basically Any convention in a climate controlled armored living room.