Just past experience from doing a mid-life refresh (e.g. baseline) on a 20 yo vehicle that I really like, I want it to be setup to last at least another 10 without issue and be able to go even further. I have a 30 yo car that I refreshed 10 years ago that still drives incredibly well.
I've found that in my climate, original rubber bushings start to dry out and harden after roughly 20 years of service. I may not be right, but I believe that a suspension is like complete package that should be responsive and flex on demand. Its all connected and when one part no longer articulates like it did when new, it places stress on other parts that are connected.
I've experienced much improved ride and handling on an old vehicle by replacing the ball joints, tie rod ends, and bushings. It is a way for me to bring back that new car feeling.
This is not to say that I will spend more than necessary to reach the goal. I do like to play a game to find quality parts from unlikely sources. Sometimes you win, then sometimes you lose. If I don't try a few new things during a build, then I don't learn how to find something good in an unlikely place. Its about the amount of blood, sweat, tears, and time that it takes to correct something that gauges how far I might venture out from the norm. I don't like to recommend a part unless I've been running it for about 5 years. That is unless its some non-moving part like a coolant or fluid reservoir.
If you had told me in January that I would be installing a Sunsong power steering hose set, I would have said "no way." Yet I bought a set based on recommendations from here and it looks to be a good quality part. I supplemented it by cleaning it with acetone and give it a coat of protective clear to provide an aluminum finish that doesn't tarnish over time.
