At the time I got my first car my neighbors up the street were selling two cars. One was an 84 Cavalier with a valve cover leak and a water pump that leaked like a siv.
The other one was a '80 Cutlass with a 350 but the head gaskets were shot.
Both cars $500. Got the 84 Cavalier. Spent $400 or so fixing it. Drove it, wrecked, had it fixed. sold it and moved on.
I would have been very stupid if i got that Cutlass.
My friend on the same street around the corner aquired a 77' cutlass from his dad for his first car. Mint.. I mean MINT condition. Had it a few months. Floored it on a corner during lunch.. drove THROUGH A HOUSE.