I am in the same boat. I just turned 100 k miles on my 454. There are several things in play. As someone else mentioned every time I fix something I think the repair is better than new and have a better feeling as to fewer problems in the future. Buying a newer MH does not insure fewer problems. Seems like the older refers had thicker tubing and last longer than the newer ones. The older HWH kick down jacks don't have the problems of the inner seals on the pistons like the newer jacks. I have flushed and changed fluid in my transmission 4 times, brake fluid 3 times, rear end 4 times, eng coolant every 2 years, and eng oil once a year so I feel the maintenance has been done. Spent $6500 in maintenance and repairs and $5000 in mods in 10 years of owner ship. So I think this plays into the better than new thinking. I have been looking at newer ones but have not found the right one yet. I am reluctant to settle for less performance than I have now due to performance mods like headers etc that my current MH has. My usage gets less as I get older and more things start to break on me and need repair. At this point in the life cycle the repairs and maintenance is a lot less than the depreciation would be on a newer one. I think another thing that comes into play is the emotional attachment that develops do to the good times and places visited. Another factor that comes into play is that having fixed a lot of things you get to under stand the systems especially the eng and the learning would start all over again with a newer MH. Having said all that I will continue to look and if the right one comes along will buy it.
