[milliondollaz]

you could buy a used car from carmax. that way you know a profesional already checked it out.

plus, you can then take it to a couple mechanics to check out, and if they see something wrong (which i doubt) you can take the car back w/in 5 days or something.

carmax is an excellent way to buy a used car if you don't know anything about cars.

if you don't want to go down that route, why don't you ask some of your professors? there has got to be a maintenance staff at your school, get to know them and ask them. definitely go independant though.