How long do you keep such cars? Also, 5/6 years old depending on mileage & make is usually the time for some expensive part replacements. Eg. water pump, thermostat & related sensors for BMW F30.
I drive a 2006 diesel VW Beetle. I've had it for 7 years and aside from some electrical weirdness I've only had to change the oil. It cost me $6500. the infotainment system is a CD player with an aux cable. Amazing value.
(this car pre-dates the emissions scandal, I checked.)
Do the expensive part replacements even get close to the price difference of getting a new car? What if you try to account for insurance and maintenance?
I kept one car for 11 years. I was doing very little km. I bought my current car 3 years ago. I'm doing more km now. Maybe my next car has already been sold. I'm not liking what I see around. At least the lower end cars I buy have less enshittyfication inside. My friend's Mercedes and BMWs are a nightmare. They want to do too much and in their own way. They (and their manufacturers) should accept that they are only tools like a screwdriver.
(this car pre-dates the emissions scandal, I checked.)