How old was the guy "knocking" your Le Tour? Sounds like a kid. The Schwinn Le Tour name was used on a wide variety of bikes, from some that were average in their price range, to some that were well above average. Any Le Tour that is tuned and in good condition is a nice "around town" bike.
The guys in the LBS in my neighborhood have great respect for the old Schwinns, including the lowly Varsity. When they get one in good condition as a "trade", they recondition it, tune it up, and sell it for a nice profit, the selling price reflecting both their usefulness as neighborhood transportation, and their important role in cycling history.