College student in need of a car

Im closing up my senior year and need a car for work, post-school, and just basically for everything

I need a sufficient car that won’t break down a year or two later but also affordable.

I don’t know a lot about cars, but do know the basics such as the lower the mileage the better.

I’m also not from Houston, so does anyone know any dealerships or perhaps auctions that I can purchase a vehicle from?

Thanks in advance!

Edit; I don’t really have any preferences, and I can take out loans, credit and etc. to help finance the car, but I’m looking for something under 10k perhaps? Something as low as 5k would be amazing tbh, I’m trying to save money for graduate school 😛