Well, in 1990, I bought a brand new Toyota Corolla for $9,800. In the 10 years that I owned it, I drove it 197,000+ miles, and the only repairs (other than normal maint) were (from a freak occurance) a cracked exaust manifold, and the radiator from the exahust warping the plastic top (at about 125,000 miles), and one MacPhereson strut (covered under warranty at less than 1000 miles).
While I needed 1 complete replacement of the exaust system (and 1 muffler), and lots of oil changes, tires, and timing belts every 60,000 miles, I only had 1 brake job, and was still on the original clutch! Although it went completely out as I was pulling into the dealer's parking lot to trade the 1990 Corolla in on the 2000 Corolla that I bought. I've now got over 71,000 miles, and other than oil changes, tires, and a 60,000 mile service, no other expenses.
Mark