This is the problem. I'm not talking $30K+ for a new vehicle. I always purchased 2nd hand.
My vehicle purchases were always around 5 years old at around 30% of the original new price i.e. $10-15K. Commodores & Falcons @ 5 to 7 years of age were a good, cheap, reliable, easy to service forms of transport which went on to go for many years.
I spent several years in the taxi game in the 70s & early 80s & many Holdens & Fords back then passed the 1 million km mark, if properly serviced. None of today's crop will do that.
A 5 to 7 year old Kia/Hyundai/Nissan/ Mazda is either ready for the crusher or needs huge $$$ spent on major repairs.
I've spent nearly 50 years in the automotive trade as a mechanic, & now in part sales & some of the stories regarding repairs & service on the current bunch of cars available would made your stomach churn.
ABS module failures, CVT dramas, auto trans, serious engine problems due to the wrong oil grade. expensive electronics & DPF problems. I could write a book.
While some manufacturers are better than others, NONE are problem free.
Dr Terry