I had a '79 Olds full-sized wagon that self-destructed at 4300 miles. I don't think the 260 had the mechanical issues of the 350, but it was totally gutless and ran with a heavy black smoke under any kind of load.

I once worked on a '76 Vega (after they had solved the engine problems), but one quick trip around the block, and it was no secret why people were buying Japanese cars.