I gotta say though I am really glad I finally took the plunge and bought a new car.
I spent $2500 to get my Subaru used, then spent like $5k on it before I got rid of it 2 years later. I had the exhaust fall out, a brakepad explode out the back of it, head gaskets warped.
My Mazda I spent $1600 to get, about $500 on it in the course of 8 months. Exhaust fell off, parking brake never worked, 3rd gear was on another planet.
I have had my Corolla now 2 years, with extended service and all that I have had no problems with it, never had to take it off the road. It hasn't been the cheapest overall, but what I pay for I feel is the peace of mind knowing my car will start tomorrow.
I'm not thinking of it as an investment to save money, but rather to save sanity.