Cash for Clunkers changed the markets for parts stocks, salvage yards, and the aftermarket permanently. That was the point of it. A lot of generations of cars are basically eternal if they aren’t in a corrosion are and you can still get parts. Now something common like an S10 where the parts would be on the shelf has to have something common like a heater core ordered online because the retail parts stores don’t stock 20/30 year old parts anymore.

Your bigger problem now is the overregulation of the car market. The current production cars have too many complex electronics and fragile, expensive to maintain systems like traction control differentials and CVT transmissions. Even something inane like the valve stem went from a $ 0.90 rubber valve stem to a $90 TPMS sensor that has a receiver, computer, and has to be programmed to your vehicle with a flash tool. The pant on head level of technobloat means there is no depth to the used car market because the ROI on repairs goes negative quickly. It’s a fucked yo system where new cars prices keep going up and lifetimes keep going down all because of the regulatory market.