We did the same for a number of years where we were broke. We had great success with Mitsubishi especially Carisma with direct injection, because the engine ticks like a diesel, and people don’t like that. If you get a dud, you just sell it again, we didn’t even have to lie about possible problems, when you buy dirt cheap, you don’t lose much even if you have to resell.
But ALWAYS make sure you make a test drive, and look in the engine compartment, and check if the timing belt is OK among other things.
It’s a hassle, and you usually have to check out several cars, but it’s possible to have a car very cheaply that way. However in 8 years we needed towing 3 times, but the fixes were generally cheap too with used spare parts. Not money pits, more like a matter of spending a lot of extra time and effort.
I think most people if they have the money, they prefer to avoid the hassle to save money.
Carisma is to old now IMO, but there are always cars that are unpopular for some reason that doesn’t really impact the usability of the car.

You know all those oil stains at parking lots?

They were left by guys like him. The car goes from A to B. He doesn’t give a fuck what mess it makes along the way. Probably tosses cigarette butts out of the window.

98 or so Honda civic that lasted longer than all the newer cars people among family and friends bought new. Imagine getting a piece of shit like a 2018 ish grand caravan which can’t even reverse now, or a brand new ev which got tboned 2 weeks in while shopping and having groceries but a totalled car when you get back. I don’t see any added value in spending multiple tens of thousands only to get built in spyware and more financial risk.