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Market value and utility value rarely correlate on unpopularly aged vehicles (i.e. before they become "classic"). Unless you've got major rust/body issues or can only pay dealership labor rates for service, maintaining a quality older economy car almost always results in the lowest operating costs/total cost of ownership.
take a completely worn out 2005 prius. Let's say it was used as a taxi and has 500,000 miles and all the wear items are worn. You can install a rebuilt engine, new battery pack, low mileage inverter, all new suspension bushings/shocks, all new brakes, new tires, and swap in a complete junkyard interior from a nice higher trim - all for around $10,000. Add new/rebuilt air conditioning & a modern carplay/adroid auto radio and you're probably at $12,000 (paying an independent mechanic to do the work).
There is no way you could resell your almost entirely rebuilt 500,000 mile prius for $12,000. But you also could not buy a car for $12,000 that will be as cheap to operate over the next 5-10 years - especially when you factor in the higher insurance, registration, and depreciation on a newer car. So that rebuilt 500,000 mile prius has more than $12,000 worth of utility.
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