Bought my '95 GL V6 MTX for $200. In one month, I've had to replace:
rearview mirror - $14
rear strut - $40
rear pads, rotors, and a caliper - $150
TPS - $35
TPS and IAC connectors - $30
rear brake lines - $30
spark plugs - $15
front sway bar links - $20
That said, my driver's side window doesn't roll up, both inner tie rod ends are shot, the front passenger side strut went out and took the sway bar link with it, half my dash lights are burnt out, the rear sway bar links are shot, the shift linkage sucks, there's a basketball-sized dent in the rear driver's side door, the paint is scratched to hell, the rims are permanently coated in brake dust, the rear suspension is one large chunk of rust, the IAC is shot, the power steering pump leaks, the plug wires have 200,000 miles on them... and that's just the major stuff. The interior is basically trashed. When the dealership replaced the fuel pump, they cut a hole under the rear bench but didn't replace the carpet or bolt the seat down correctly, the carpet doesn't reach the door sills, the dome light is gone, and the fold-out cupholder is missing.
So, the few hundred I've spent on a few hundred dollar car don't even scratch the surface of what I have to spend to get it running correctly. But, what fun is a car you don't have to work on?