My first car was a 1978 Ford Granada. That was my first year in college in 96. My dad paid $200 I think. No air conditioning (in Panama!). Luckily, the driver side window was functional, the passenger 'window' however, was a sheet of plexi-glass. There was no covering on the ceiling in the inside. The passenger side door would not open. The hood paint was completely oxidized. Barely ran well enough to get me to college for about a year. Stalled many many ...many times. It did have a radio that worked, though and two speakers were functional, one in front, one in the back.
After that they bought me a 93 pontiac grand am. Nice car.
Now 5 years later I spent more money on my mountain bike (Trek 820, $300) and I drive a 2000 Ford Explorer that I bought new last year.