It was approximately the least luxurious sedan you could conceivably purchase, comparable to my old Jeep CJ5. All metal and plastic. Fabric seats. Manual windows, locks, transmission. I was shocked that it had a radio and AC.

But it felt like a vehicle that would last decades in that climate with a screwdriver and a wrench. It was simply and purely a car, in a way that was refreshing. I might buy a car like that, especially if they made a more rugged version with a cruise control.

The 0-star crash rating, lack of airbags, and lack of rear shoulder belts and rear headrests don't need to be emulated, though.