Normally I'd agree with you but the Syncro came out in 1986 (in the States, anyway) and I believe that is past the Malaise Era. Keeping with the theme the last generation 1979 Bay-Window Westfalia or Beetle 'Vert would be good contenders.

Definitely the Fiat 124 Spider. Small, light, underpowered two seat convertible. The later and more powerful fuel injected version lack the engine overrun fuel shutoff so it can spit at you during decel. Light and easy to break loose. Can be had on the cheap! Usually rusty so you're free of worries of damaging an…

Oof. Where to start?

This comes to mind. Because it was bad in that 1980's kind of badness.

Vanagon. Good luck replacing hose number 21.

Replace a hose? Ha! Welcome to my world. ...the world where replacing a simple 4 inch long leaky coolant hose can take 2 hours and numerous bloody knuckles!

Aside from my 2010 Golf TDI which I mistakenly bought with the worthless dual clutch auto (big mistake) I'd have to say the Smart Car if only because it has by far the WORST transmission I have ever driven. Period.

Ditto. and ditto.

I loved their repair advice about a malfunctioning automatic choke - "Disconnect the wire and tape it to the fan shroud". Fixed it!

Any idiot can keep their air-cooled Volkswagen alive. Seriously!

Sigh...

Like this?

I guess you could call "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" a horror movie for kids. Ok, I'm reaching a bit, but there is no doubt that the Tatra 603 is scary cool!

We've actually given this a bit of thought and I'd have to say the late 1970's Chevy Blazer 4X4 or Suburban. First you have to think of the possibilities that might bring about the apocalypse. If it is brought on by an EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) from a high altitude nuclear burst, say, over Kansas, that will…

Ugh. Too many bad(fond) memories of pre-legal and pre-driving age boozing with my older friend in his green '78 Volare. The things I remember most was it not starting, pushing it, etc. Although, these are pretty rare now so, if it was a grand cheaper then it would get a NP but at that price.... CP!

So, it's like a Golf, just less practical? Ummmmmm, yeah. Chick car.

Hey, Sergio. Ya wanna come in here and save this like you've saved Fiat and possibly Chrysler? You've got a winner here. Take it over, give it a Lancia badge, name it the Stratos. Base it on a modified Fiat or Alfa platform you already have. Drop in a more plebeian V6 engine and 6 speed tranny that I'm sure you…

This guy was obviously inspired by this. I had this. Actually, I still have this somewhere in the house... Actually pretty awesome for 1980. Flat 4 engine with moving pistons, functional 3 speed transmission, rear suspension, rack and pinion steering, adjustable reclining seats. Lego, what happened to you? you…

Great engine! It belongs here. One day...

The Dymaxion, of course. Brought to you by Buckminster Fuller. Just what the world needed back in the 30's. A three wheeled van with rear steering capable of 120mph (90 actually). Not a bad track record considering it only killed one person (driver) and injured two(passengers). But, hey, every great invention has…