Oh I don't disagree there...it would be something where I would (sadly) put together a spreadsheet with pros/cons to see if I can find a massive discrepancy. In what is important to me plus the amount we drive our cars, often times deters us away from what seems like a good deal for a used van. Every time we have looked into one, they have just been...well...kid destroyed. Sure, my kids will most likely do that to our car, but it's just different knowing it's mine than it is that it was someone else's kid who decided to get toenail polish in the car. Not to mention, most are just right there under that threshold before common repairs start to happen. We all lead busy lives and I am out of town a lot...I just couldn't imagine my wife needing a repair on something for her car and all the kids...then balancing the repair time into my days home.
Again...my neurosis is not the norm...so take it for what it's worth.
I wasn't responding to you, but to the OP's question. Nothing wrong with spreadsheet-ing a decision... I am currently paralyzed about choosing an oven!