I bought my first car, a 1991 base model Dodge Shadow, brand new off the lot for a whopping $6000. It lasted me 7 years and 90,000 miles with no problems...the only money I put into it was new brakes, tires, etc. After that, I got hooked on Dodge.
Now we have a 1997 Stratus and a 2003 Caravan. Love them both and have yet to spend a single penny on anything other than normal maintenance. After 14 years of great luck, I don't think I'll ever buy anything other than a Dodge.