Yup, you're right. Both short-term and long-term reliability are way up overall over the last 30 years, even 10 years. Granted, a 2005 Toyota Tercel was reliable, but a 2005 Land Rover was not. Not the case today with any brand... they all have solid reliability. With all of the computers and technology on newer cars they might be much more costly to keep on the road for 50 years though compared to a 1970's model.