Actually, I rather like the Mustang II's. I think most people that dislike them have never driven them. They're much lighter and more nimble than the practical station wagons from 1971-1973. With the 302ci V-8, and they actually performed similar or better than most of the engine options in the previous generation even in a straight line because they weighed about 1000lbs less (not joking about the weight advantage).
Sure, they're basically a Pinto, but as painful as it may be to hear, the fox body Mustang's were similarly related to the Ford Fairline/Mercury Zepher.
My first car was a 1977 Ford Mustang II V-8 Fastback with the C-4 transmission. It was quick out of the hole, had a very attractive instrument cluster, well laid out controls, and it was very responsive. I felt it also looked a heck of a lot better than a lot of the vehicles on the road at the time.
To each their own though.
