Thrifty? Cheap? Smart?
I just purchased an ugly 1995 Saturn XL2, the tires just passed inspection, the windshield was cracked the night before I purchased it, it has traveled 191,000 miles, purchase price was $500.
On the other hand, I am under contract for a $200,000 home.
After listening to @Tim Shiner podcast Show #221, I felt it was ok to drive around such an "ugly" "useful" machine. :)