What vehicles would be practical and affordable?

So, I will be getting my first vehicle in about a month and a half. I'm most definitely going to buy from the private seller and owner of the used vehicle. I'm assuming I won't qualify for a very big loan, since I haven't held a credit score very long, so I don't want the vehicle to be too expensive, but I also want it to have good gas mileage and also be practical.
I've been looking at used Ford Explorer Sport Tracs, I found one for a really good price and I read some reviews on Edmunds, but I can't decide. It has pretty fair gas mileage for an SUV/Truck cross, but then I know I can find something better.
I looked to the Jeep Liberty and found some great deals, also read some Edmunds reviews and they have pretty darn good gas mileage for a Jeep, but again, I could find better.
My problem is I worry about the appearance of the vehicle. That is something that no matter how hard I try I just can't get myself to bend very far on.
I don't NEED an SUV or a truck. An SUV would be nice, but a Sedan would be fine, also. My dog isn't very large, I don't need a ton of room, but I do like enough room with keeping the future in mind. If something so happened where I needed the room, I'd like to have it.
So, anything I can probably find used for under 6,000 and that has good gas mileage and track records would be awesome. I'm really just looking for ideas based on what you've experienced or heard. I'm no car guru, unfortunately. Haha

I would go for the Sport Trac. If you want more bed space, look into a Ranger.

Factor in the cost of insurance for someone of your age and experience, and the cost of the vehicle becomes a lot less than you first anticipated. Buy a vehicle you can afford to crash as you will be involved in an accident sooner rather than later.

You don't say how old you are, what state you live in, or how much money you have saved to buy this car. Your best bet is to ask on Facebook who your friends and family members have bought their cars from. Also, what have you budgeted for car insurance?

I only buy cars now from a guy who used to live down the street from us. Bought three from him over the past 6 years. Now we're friends. Cool guy.

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