I know an old man who's got an old Harley that spends more time being fixed than it does on the road. It recently let him down 2 days into a trip to France to the extent that his wife had to pick him up at the ferry port. Despite this and the fact that he's continually spunking £100s on it he won't do the sensible thing and move it on.
Your mate sounds like a right wanker.