I remember back in '95 when my parents were looking to buy a Ford Windstar minivan. I can also remember people who supposedly knew about cars telling them that Ford's were pieces of garbage. That minivan ran with no problems up until last year when it finally started to rust.
At the same time though I knew someone who bought the exact same car (make/model/ year) and had nothing but problems with it so sometimes it all depends on the luck of the draw.
Also, I found this photo essay on the "ruins" of Detroit....interesting stuff
http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29...1810098,00.html