Oil changes, Oil changes, Oil changes. I make sure that the oil gets changed regularly, along with a good lube job, tire rotation, etc. When it is time for timing belt change I make sure that gets done. When an issue starts to arise I make sure that I get the situation taken care of before it becomes a big problem. Also, every year or two I like to make sure that she gets a thorough detailing inside and out. That's basically it. All of the regular maint. is so important. Also, some people don't like it when you have to start putting some money back into a car. I take a little different approach. If the money going into the car is really a maintenance thing like alternator, radiatior, etc. then I have no problem with that. I'm ok with putting a couple hundred dollars in her every once in a while for those types of things rather than doing that every month for 4 or 5 years for a car payment.