Which car was better?

Ford pinto or Chevy vega?

Well, the Vega won't spontaneously combust as often…

You have to take quite a trip back but I remember both cars. The Vega seemed to have the advantage in styling and comfort. The Pinto engine (1.6) was much better because it was an iron block and Vega had serious issues with the aluminum block (2.3). The Pinto manual British designed transmission was known for failures. Body wise the Pinto seemed to hold up slightly better. These vehicles were both divisions early attempts at the sub compact market and therefore neither was bullet proof.

My opinion of the better car has to go the Pinto based mostly on the engine failures of the early Vegas.

Interesting because one of the complaints (and it is mentioned by some one else) was the gas tank problem. What is seldom mentioned about gas tank problems is that GM saddle tanks in the pickups killed even more people but GM never recalled or fixed that problem.
While the Vega and its counterparts (GM had other cars which fit into the same group) were better looking- they were clearly mechanically inferior. I never experienced problems with the manual transmissions in any of Ford Mustang II's I owned. In case you don't know it Ford built the Mustang II on the Pinto chassis. Same car different body. If a Ford person wanted a more stylish Pinto they bought a Mustang II after they were introduced.
The four in the Pinto lasted forever and a day. It took to turbo charging very nicely and was found later in Turbo Mustangs and Turbo T-birds. Production wise it was in production until some time in the 90's.
As for the Vega engines- first thing that had to be replaced.
Having lived through that time period as a driver I know about every car manufactured between about 1974 and 1980 had body problems. Between some low grade steel that it seems all the car manufactures bought and the acid rain bodies just did not hold up.
On the Pinto as stated it was the same car as the Mustang II, that front suspension is a very popular set up for those who self construct or rebuild older cars to rack and pinion steering. While the solid rear axle set up left a lot to be desired- the steering was a jewel which is alive and well under a lot of "rods". The Vega used the old steering box and while it is seen as an alternative to be used in some hot rods, it just is not the same.