That's my take as well. Years 1 & 2 are always flawless, 3 may have a few situations and 4/5 start bringing the swearing causing problems.
Naturally, I don't maintain it very well throughout the years, but always mean to. I'm sure mine needs a new carb / cleaned, but happen to have lots of cabinet work going on in the shop where it's warm and oil/gas isnt happening there at the moment. Maybe on a "nice" day I'll rip it apart outside.