Ok.. finally, abit of time.
Yes - old cars are easier to maintain because they have lesser electronic parts but issues with it are some times harder to detect. Why? coz in contrast to newer cars, one plugin session with the OBD2 tools and viola - what faults, what error and which part is faulty all comes out in a list and as u stare at those list your leg shakes as u know it's gonna cost u that leg.
Both has it pros and cons. Older cars parts are more scarce unless u have some classic that u can go online and get it from ebay, else u r screwed. However, this is Malaysia. Anything boleh - u can either fabricate those parts, or retrofit through some sort of modifications. That in turn - will cost u time and time equates to money. Even retrofitting costs more too - dont forget that.
As for newer cars - yes, it's simple, anything feels 'strange' just go to your trusted workshop and cucuk the obd2 tool in and diagnose. Hell, in fact u can do that too if you have the tool and d software. But of course, parts will be a bit more expensive. The con is - there will be shit loads of electrical sensors all over the car... i mean.. SHIT FUCKING LOADS of it. Meaning - more parts to replace, more problems - more cost. Some of these parts are very much available in the market - even in chop shops. So if u r lucky, it wont cost much. IF not - well, u have to pay what u have to pay but at least u save up in terms of time to source for old car parts that u know is scarce.
To maintain continental cars is not that expensive nowadays - hence u see lots of BMWs and Audis on the road, i mean the older ones such as E30s - E46s. Back in the days the servicing of these vehicles were dominated by the direct dealers themselves. This was due to lack of knowledge in terms of troubleshooting these rides and also high cost in setting up a workshop catered for these rides (the computer tools were kinda expensive back then). Now, more and more people knows how to fix them as the older generations who used to work for these bigger companies has branched out to start their own workshops and the tools for diagnostics has decreased significantly.
As for older cars - well ok, let's split it into 2 categories: Stock and modded.
I had a Kia Rio. It's stock. Mind you, the parts are not cheap. It's already a 8-9 year old car and hell, the suspension arms and bushing kits costs as much as my 5 series. Who says it's cheap to maintain an old car? but radiator and etc yes, from region of thousands it's actually in hundreds but how often do u change radiators? most of the time the essentially worn parts are suspension parts and what not. Oil - well, it's cheaper least to say but parts are abundance in chop shop....
Modded - also got 2 categories. 1 - car with same model / make engine but modded. This is easy and direct. Provided that u r the one that modified it in the first place. Well, u know it inside out and u know its characteristics. I pray to god that u know your mech is honest and skillful, else u'll be facing headaces. Also, u better be sure that the parts u buy are not some china fabricated fake parts else u r fucked too. Original - OEM or aftermarket branded parts aint cheap too but compared to continental car aftermarket parts, it's still considered as cheaper by at least 30%? (rough ball park figure).
Modded car - category 2 - same car, different retrofitted engine or suspension or any other parts : aka rojak cars (no puns intended but that's what they call it on the street, it's by no means any slower or lower in value as some of these rojak cars are rocket fast!). the most headache. It's worse if u are not the original owner who started the rojak process. Once something spoils - u dont even know what to order, whether it's the original car part, or some other brand. If it's some other brand - what brand ah? shit.. u dont know.. then u waste time.. wait for mechanic to take the part out.. once taken out.. shit ... no stock... find whole world.. become a beggar.. bang tolong.. mana ada? cari... once found.. they see yr desperate face.. open golden mountain price.. u bang balls... have to pay anyways coz yr car has been sangkut-ed in the workshop for ages.. wife or gf complain.. mom complain.. dog park at u..and cat started to show u middle paw.. no choice.. pay... then u drive out.. happily enjoying the car but pray hard that it wont spoil again... but it's inevitable.. all cars will rosak again... it's just a matter of when and what... and most importantly.. where.
Continental cars - Bentlys, Porsche, Ferrari or AMG or M BMWs... if u consider to buy this car, u wont be interested to read what I've read. Coz u would already know u would be bending over for it every now and then but u are prepared coz when u buy this car, u would have expected it and would already know u have what it takes to maintain it. Period!
To take on the challenge of an old car? old modded car? stock car? continental car? luxurious brand spanking new performance continental cars?? ... well, - Penny wise pound foolish - that's the path u do not want to be on.
IS-F is a monster indeed. 
