I have an old Zebra Comet ~86 perhaps
Pleasant, doesn't set the world on fire, but it costs less than the tax on a current bike, and is pleasant enough.
Starter bikes with good quality get newbs up and running and keep them from burning out on poor quality big box BSO's
No dishonor in outgrowing an older steel bike, and it lets you make a better choice on the next one when you get there
as opposed to buying something from the brochure you never met