Can't we make cars without timing belts?

My beloved Honda CRV is just about 9 1/2 years old now. I bought her new in the fall of 1999 and have no desire to part with her any time soon. I'm not a leather seats and alloy wheels kind of gal. I like my cars boxy and utilitarian. They get the job done and I don't worry about scraping up the inside a bit here and there when we grab a stack of 2x4s at Home Depot or haul a load of demo debris to the "acceptance facility". As long as my car runs well and doesn't start to look shabby, I'm happy to keep her going. But that means maintenance.

I called the dealer today because, aside from oil changes, I haven't had any official maintenance done in 10,000 miles. Well, I'm apparently due for a new timing belt. Horrors! Honda recommends that at 105,000 miles or 7 years. I'm only at 50,000 miles since I drive so little, but have obviously exceeded the age limit. That's not exactly cheap. So she's at the dealer tonight, awaiting some expensive work tomorrow: timing belt, "major" maintenance, and a few interior fixes. I'm expecting this to run me about $1300. Grrrrrrr.