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Simplicity is a virtue, in my book, but I think we can objectively answer this question.
The average American drives 15,000 miles per year. At $3 per gallon:
A 30mpg vehicle will spend $1500 per year in fuel, and $25,000 in fuel over a 250,00 mile lifespan.
A 40mpg vehicle will spend $1125 per year in fuel, and $18,750 in fuel over a 250,000 mile lifespan.
If the purchase price (from the engine alone) and maintenance (on the engine alone) are less than $6250 different, the 40mpg version is the better buy.
Aerocivic's original Honda D series from 1992 lasted north of 500,000 miles, and was replaced, running. There are plenty of examples of first generation Insight engines with variable valve timing, EGR, oil to water heat exchangers, coil on plug, and exotic materials to reduce weight (magnesium), which are still running north of 600,000 and even 700,000 miles. You can pick up one of Honda's relatively complex K series engines (dual overhead cam, variable timing and lift, etc. etc.) for as little as $250. The engine tends to outlast the car, so they become abundant and cheap.
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