My first one, was broken, got it for free from my mom. Had to fix shocks and springs, cooling system, belts and ignition system.
I ended up throwing it into the dump (it was still running). Never had it in my name.
Second one I got same way, was broken, got it from my mom. Had to replace entire cooling system, and eventually got air filter, cat-back, upgraded entire ignition system, new head gasket and port/polish, brakes, H&R springs, fixed the AC system, body work to remove rust, new head unit, speakers and sub, etc etc. But for both of these cars I was stuck on a small island in the pacific with only a family-run NAPA store and all I had was a socket set and some screwdrivers.
The first car I actually bought is the fiero I have now. My wife first had a cressida that the engine blew a rod (3 engines) and later after we got together her parents gave her a 91 integra. I really hated that car.
Someday I'll actually be able to afford a car with a performance aftermarket. Or when I throw in a 350 to the fiero...