A 40 year old car is a deathtrap by modern standards, I guess that's ok if you live in a city or only travel short distances.
I think we should get out of the habit of buying new stuff every few years. There’s something pretty amazing about driving a car that is decades old.
Once the risks of dementia get close, I'll join you in the world of thin A-pillars, but I wouldn't call that good general advice!