See whether there are YouTube videos with tips on what to look for when buying an old used car.

You will also need to learn to do things like change your own brake pads, oil changes, and stuff like that, anyway.

You’ll become a car guy, by necessity.

Maybe also talk to mechanics about what they would recommend if they were in your shoes.

Hey! I bet there is some sort of car subReddit that might have just that sort of answer for you.

Also, join r/PovertyFinance for more advice.