I agree with others here. As a tech, and someone who's gone through many brands of vehicles myself and with friends and family here is what I would recommend.

1st choices would be Japanese vehicles built somewhere in the 2000 to 2010 era. Hyundai is also a solid choice in those years, preferably around 2010 or later. Generally speaking, Honda Toyota subaru would be excellent brands to seek out. Mitsubishi and Nissan, I would probably stay away from.

If going for a German car, I would probably stay with VW, no Mercedes, and no BMW. If you can't afford a new German car, you definitely can't afford a used one. Jettas and golf in the 2000s era, especially in diesel, are remarkably solid and well built for good prices. Plus, it's amazing on fuel and insurance.

Being good with a wrench does not help if the car is still beyond your skill, and in my experience, nobody should buy an old German car for their first. When it breaks down and it will, parts are generally more expensive, and diagnostics are also a little more tedious. They tend to be over engineered and complicated for no reason. As others mentioned, get a car that runs well and suits all your basic needs first. Stop worrying about cool. Being able to drive, even if it's a Kia Soul, for example, when you need to and not brake down, will be way cooler than having a "sick ride" that constantly fails on you, doesn't get you to work or school and then just sits as a giant German paper weight in your driveway. Worry about cool when you have money to do so. My first car was a POS vw golf, but it was fun and cheap and super easy to fix. I learned on that, and it was an amazing experience. Never left me hanging. Again, think of reliable, safe, and cost first. Then, amongst that list of cars, pick your favorite.