Not all were bad,Pontiac Astre same body as a Vega but Pontiac used there own 4 banger with a iron block and the 1st generation Nova's could be had with a 4 banger and a good engine as well.My older brother bought a vega new in 74 and the engine made it to 50k when he traded it off.The Chevy 307s were a crap engine as well,same the diesel version used in the mid 70s gm cars.