Go with concrete all the way. Your crumbling driveway is almost certainly the result of the original contractor either using a faulty formula, pouring under the wrong outdoor conditions, or a combination of this and possibly other factors I haven't thought of. Driveways do not normally crumble shortly after they are installed due to the winters experienced in Michigan. I grew up in Detroit and as long as the driveway was built with a good concrete formula, the only things that rapidly promote breakdown are large tree roots running underneath, exposure to highly corrosive acids, and excessively heavy vehicles (i.e., large construction equipment).
Never go with an asphalt driveway if you intend to put cars on jackstands for repair work. The jackstands will dig-in unevenly in warmer weather such that the car can fall off while you are underneath the car. It is possible to circumvent the jackstands sinking-in at uneven rates by placing fairly thick sheet steel between the asphalt and the base of the jackstand.
A driveway can be further reinforced with rebar but that gets very expensive.
Dave Keller
1995 Contour SE
1999 Contour SVT
