I think it is probably due to all those penny millionaires who go for the car and then simply can't afford the upkeep to run them. Great if you can afford to, I suppose a bit of a chain and ball if you can't.
Nieghbour had a 3ltr Xtype and basically swapped it for a diesel as he was doing 500 miles a week on 22mpg and so it was costing him £100 a week in normal unleaded. His diesel manages 53mpg and now he puts in just over £40 a week. Not as much fun though
