An old BMW is cheap to buy but will bankrupt you in repairs.
Look for mid-2000s Toyota Corollas, Honda Civics, or Mazda 3s.
Are you in a (parking/gas focus) or rural area (reliability/distance focus)?
When your budget is tight, reliability is the only feature that matters.
Calculate your weekly commute cost. A "cheap" truck might cost you $300/month in gas.
These dealers often have predatory interest rates (20%+).
Don't skip the inspection to save $100; it could cost you $2,000 later.