grammar

I've always had a weak spot for grammar. So now, reading over what I wrote below, i wonder about the rules governing the use of the word "ghetto." "one of the most ghetto cars in the neighborhood" is certainly not a native speaker's usage. "my car is so ghetto"* would be fine, as would "ghetto-ass car."** but somehow ghetto can't be used as a stand-alone adjective unless following some version of the verb "to be."
*or, as my students said when I gave them photocopies of my ruler for lack of actual rulers for all, "this kind of ghetto!."
**in the same situation, "this ghetto-ass school!"

If you know things about grammar or the ghetto, and have something to say (eg, words that behave similarly) do tell...