Up until about 3 years ago, I delivered pizza full time in my '65 1800... Totalling about 250k in that time...and very hard miles as you can guess...

Admittedly, there was lots of maintanance, but nothing I couldn't do myself, and nothing that ever took more than a day. And that car still runs fine... I've never had the motor out. (though just about everything else has been out my my wrenches)

If you start with a good, well sorted car, and drive nicely... it will be trouble free forever almost. Keeping it on the road won't be a problem...just don't let the little things pile up. Thats a good way to lose interest, and then the car falls to pieces...

-matt