A friend has a late model Ford pickup with 70,000 miles on it. His age mid 50s wife drives it exclusively to commute. I don't think it's ever had more than 100 lbs, in the back. He does all maintenance religiously. It ate a valve at 70K. Ruined the engine. $8,000 for a new one. Ouch.
The local Ford dealer is a very small operation, with maybe 5 or 6 people working there. They keep this particular engine in stock at all times. Pretty telling fact to keep $X,000 worth of engine on the shelf at all times.
On the other hand, my wife owned a 2002 Mustang GT. It was rock solid. Never had a problem. Go figure.
