My ex is just as bad, moans about consumables like tyres and brakes as if the car is trying to purposely bankrupt her lol[/QUOTE]

My Mrs is the same. I've had my ST for 4 1/2 years now and apart from the usual servicing, tyres etc, in the last 18 months I've had to replace a drive shaft, hub and bearing (only had to do the hub and bearing as the shaft was sized in the hub), alternator and a rear caliper. The drive shaft and bearing were brand new. The hub, and alternator came from a breaker, the caliper was free from a member on the ST owners club, and all the work was carried out by my mechanic friend round the corner for a few quid and some beer.
Yet to my Mrs, my car is nothing but a money pit!!!!!
She said the other day after I had the caliper done "I suppose it's gonna need bloody tyres soon, so more money!" I said "no but I do need to get the timing belt and water pump done soon" (again, this will be done by my mate for a fraction of what a garage would charge). This was the trigger for quite a heated argument! Women just don't get it. I tried to explain that the things that have needed to be replaced are just run of the mill and inexpensive, and at the end of the day it's a car and from time to time cars go wrong. I said if you want I won't bother with the timing belt but don't moan when it goes and ends up costing thousands to put right! I also tried to tell her that in the 4 1/2 years of ownership, a drive shaft, alternator and caliper is absolutely nothing and that there are plenty of people out there who have nothing but grief from their cars. I said that we could go across the road and spend 30k on a brand new BMW and it could turn out to be a right dog and end up costing a fortune. Just cos it's new it doesn't mean it's gonna be bullet proof reliable. I may as well of been talking to myself cos she still didn't get it!
Bearing in mind that I don't smoke, I rarely drink, I'm not out blowing money on clothes and shit, and I don't have any real hobbies to blow money on. In fact one of my hobbies I actually get paid for - I enjoy lorry driving and work as a casual driver for a local firm, just working when I feel like it.
On the other hand my Mrs absolutely smokes like a train and drinks like a fish, but that's ok though even though it costs us probably £160+ a month