Funny - my 2002 Nissan Xterra still runs, drives and looks like the day I bought it. My 1997 Miata is likewise just as fit. I'll take ANY Japanese car over an American, or god help you, European car - keep them clean and do oil changes religiously and most modern cars will treat you well.
The biggest thing that boggles my mind is the amount of people who have garbage they don't use in their garages instead of their cars. And then let their kids destroy the interiors with food and drink.