When I was in college I drove the worst clunker around. I would tell my buddies when we came out of any business we went into that I would trade my car for any other one on the lot. I think only one time did I take it back.
When I graduated one of my life’s goals was to one day own a car less than 10 years old. Only 6 months later I was the proud owner of a 79 Pinto station wagon. Gorgeous medium blue with 4 speed and wire wheel covers. I drove it for 5 years and had no issues. I DID ride like a truck. Even drove it to Florida a couple times. Flipping the back seat down there was plenty of room to stretch out and sleep when I didn’t have the $ for a motel room or just wanted to catch a couple hours.
We had the Mercury Bobcat. The Merc version of the Pinto.
It was black and white. Black vinyl top.
As a kid I liked it. Like a Small station wagon and we had a full-panel window on the hatch, so fun to sit back there and have a full view.
We did not have any particular problems.
Bear in mind this was the alternate car to our successive Lincoln Town Cars (which I absolutely adore).