It would seem that an older car would become a money pit, almost solely due to deteriorating rubber components. For example, a transmission starts to shift funny due to hardened or cracked o-rings, gaskets, etc. Brake system leaks because of cracked rubber brake lines, coolant and vacuum leaks due to deteriorated hoses, valve cover gaskets leaking, rear main seals, A/C leaks from o-rings, etc. Has anybody encountered this yet?
In my own experience, I have experienced a weeping oil pan and transmission pan, spark plug well seals, valve cover gaskets, and of course, hoses.