I use Mr Money Mustache's figuring that each mile costs $1.55, then convert it to Canadian. $1.19 per km. Even a 2000 Camry will depreciate if you put enough mileage on it - if I was shopping for one I'd pay $5000 for under 120,000km, but not even a thousand for over 280,000km. But yes, you can get away with a bucket for food delivery. I'd say the best way to do it is on a scooter, but then you're really putting your life on the line every night.

Those old Japanese sedans are good for far more than 280000 km if you keep up on maintenance yourself.

Yes, anecotes are not evidence, but this article is interesting. https://jalopnik.com/5885287/how-i-put-750000-miles-on-my-ho...

And besides, you can buy a car for 4k with a lot of miles. At that point it's like a dishrag. You use it to do your job until you need a new one. Blows up by the side of the road? Tell your customer that happened, buy AAA, and depending on how bad it is, you can fix it yourself after it gets towed home, or junk it and buy another.

Or am I missing something?

They are, I agree, but if you're buying one that's 18 years old than you haven't done the maintenance yourself, and it's hard to be sure all the previous owners have done all the maintenance items. If I bought one brand new I have no doubt I could keep it running for 500,000km, but that's not the case in this hypothetical.

I don't know where you live, but when I looked at for Colorado back in 2010, the state's Public Utility Commission regulations require cars to be 7 years old or less.

Apparently times have changed.

http://aircarecolorado.com/index.php/consumer-information/20...

If I'm reading this right, this just means if your car is older you have to get it inspected.

I somehow doubt that classic cars (Mustang, Camaro, Corvette, 510) are banned anywhere in the country - they might have to meet more stringent tests.