Another thing to consider are new rules possibly starting in Jan '09 regarding older cars. Those > 20 yrs cannot be re-registered and those > 10yrs cannot be transfered. If this becomes law then a car you buy today that is 2-3 years old will not be worth much when it gets to 5-6 yrs old. Who will buy it then, if they cannot on sell it a few years later? On the other hand dealers with 6-8 yr old cars will have to virtually give them away.
I would seriously look at a lease or buy a new/near new car and drive it for ever (< 20yrs), double park it at the airport with the keys in it when you finally leave.