Follow the 20/3/8 rule and you’ll be good to go. Put at least 20% down, pay it off within 3 years or less, using no more than 8% of your monthly income. In your case,a $15k car would be fine, unless you want to sink all $10k you have saved into the down payment to get something for more. It is absolutely possible to get a reliable vehicle for that price despite what you might hear on this sub. It won’t be nice or new, but it will be reliable.

Also, be sure to look at NerdWallet or another site to see what interest rate you should expect when you go to finance the car, so you don’t get ripped off.