More indexisive than clueless
I'm thinkin about gettin a mazda 3
I don't know much about newer cars, but I wouldn't fukk with a 90s model Ford, 90s-early 2000s model Chrysler/Dodge (Chrysler owns Dodge), and definitely no European cars.
I have two mid-90's civics, and used to own a 2001 civic. All manual. If you get one that's stock (so if no young person owned it), they'll be good to you. Preventive maintenance like getting the timing belt changed, changing spark plugs/wires, and eventually the distributor (spendy but they last a while) is to be expected. But if you treat it well, it'll return the favor. My current one gets 45+ mpg.
But you should really just make sure you research the car, whichever car(s) you look at, and don't pay more than you think it's worth. Make an informed decision and you won't have regrets going forward. Go to edmonds.com and kbb.com, look at what people say about it. Don't rush things.