Always buy with the head and not the heart, we all know but how many times do we ignore, same with most purchases (relationships too!!)
As far as first cars, can't go wrong with Citigo/Up/seat, even better absolute shedloads being written off for most insignificant prangs, try to find cat N (non-structural) as opposed to cat S (structural) 3-4 year old for about £3k
Bit different to old days, first car '63 mini/mg1300 engine for £70 including shedload spares
cheers
Col