[speeder]

My direct experience with Honda Civics, (family has owned 2), is that almost nothing is needed repair-wise until they get over 100k miles and then some significant maintenance starts to occur. One with 150k miles, (as in your example of 10yrs. x 15k per year), would be due for a new transmission, CV axles and all of the things that every other car consumes. Normal life span of those driveline components.

That's not to knock Hondas, I love them. They are far and away my favorite Japanese cars and I sold them and drove them 30 years ago. I was just telling someone yesterday what great cars they are, IMO. I'd drive one as a DD w/o hesitation. But I'm not so sure that there would be a huge difference in repair costs from a similar age VW, assuming neither car is a "lemon".