I agree, I liked him in it too. I know the guy who played Buddy Repperton looked roughly like a 40 year old high school senior, but he fit the bill so well. I know I wouldn't wanna tangle with him. Factor in that I am an absolute car freak, the movie did it for me. Between Christine, Buddy's '68 Camaro (my exact dream car) and Dennis' Duster (I think?), I was in car heaven.
I agree that the smashed car effects in reverse were great too. And the music! Those opening bars of Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood as Christine is rolling off the assembly line? Come on!
Listen, I know it's no masterpiece of a movie but I have seen it probably 10 times and enjoyed it all 10.