Is spending $12,000 on a used car too much for a used car? (First Time Buyer)?

I've been looking at mostly Ford Fiestas and recently Volkswagen e-Golf cars… There isn't really that much of a price difference with the low-ish mileage. I would be spending about $12,000 for a car with 25,000 miles on it for either car (in my area). I've always wanted a Volkswagen… Should I go with the Volkswagen? And I need a car with a hatchback since I'm going to be moving soon for college. Anyway, I've tried finding cars in under $7k but there just wasn't many options with a lower mileage… That were decent cars anyway. Would a Volkswagen be a good first car? And is a $12,000 a better budget than $7k? I can make it work either way… But since it's my first car I'm not sure which I would get better bang for my buck. If you know what I mean. Thanks in advance!

I would also be commuting a lot for work and school… Fyi. Thanks again in advance!

Added (1). Serious Answers ONLY Please

VW will be the wiser choice. But you still need to do a thorough test drive and try hard to find faults.

They are completely different, as the e-Golf is a pure electric vehicle with a disappointingly small range, only about 125 miles before you need to put it on charge again. I'd suggest this is a hassle you could do without for a first car.

I paid $30,000.00 for a 1959 Jaguar at an estate 'furniture' auction. Car was sitting in the back of a shed with a dust covered tarp over it with boxes of spare parts piled around it.

The owners widow threw it on the block to ''just get rid of it'' (her words). And only 2 other people bid because nobody knew what the car's value was. ( BUT I DID! )

Under the dirty tarp was a pristine maintained XK150 DHC Convertible. One can barely tell the car from a new model. The boxes contained all original factory spare parts.

estimated value ------------- $100,000.00 plus about $10,000.00 in spare parts!

Not good choices.

Every used car is different, regardless of brand or model. Each has different mileage, has been maintained differently, and is in different mechanical condition.

If you have no experience in buying used cars, you are very likely to make an expensive mistake that you can't easily fix since most used cars are sold "as-is." The ONLY way to make a smart buying decision is to have an independent mechanic fully inspect any car you think you want to buy.

NEVER take the word of a dealer or seller than a used car "has no problems" or "it's in perfect condition." They all say that, whether it's true of not.

Volkswagen is generally a good purchase choice but if it's a used Volkswagen it can be in great condition or it can be junk -- depending on how previous owners have driven it, maintained it, and whether it's ever been wrecked.

I spent $1150 40 years ago. VW and Fiesta are not good cars.

Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Honda Fit are good cars.

Stay away from both models. They both are problem cars

I wouldn't spend $12,000 on a used car. Cars values go down quickly. I would do $7,000 to 9,000. And save $5,000 to $3,000.

Going to school. You do not need a 12K car. These two are also money pits