My first car was an Olds Firenza wagon. Nothing but issues with the rear brake drums.
Second car, a Ford Ranger. It drank a gallon of anti freeze every two days. Mecahnics couldn't figure out where it was going.
Third car GMC S-15. Loved that truck, I bought it at 35K miles, and put 40K on it before trading it in. I ran it into the gournd and it never gave up.
I moved on to Japanese cars, two Toyotas and one Honda. The Toyotas have been awesome, the Honda sucked a$$.
Basically, I think it's a total crapshoot.
I almost bought a Mazda 6, but the wife wanted a CR-V. It's the one time she says I was right.