Bought a 2003 cultus in 2007 for 4.5lac. Spent other than maintenance items nearly 80 thousand on mechanical issues in the duration of 2 years. there were several issues but the major issue was It blew headgasket,overhauled, then blew again, replaced head but the crap car came to same condition as it was before, suzuki parts are cheap and easily available but are not durable and have a very short life span. Sold it for 4lac in 2009. Then bought a 2001 city in 2009 for 5.8 lac. Kept it till december 2012. Other than maintenance, The car only required some suspension work and replacement of steering rack and power steering pump during 3 years. All of the mechanical works costed nearly 30k. sold it for 6.5lac.
So you see the fitness of the car is more important than its age. A 99 civic can be in a lot better condition than a 09 liana.