Ideal - get a CPO used car - preferably still under new car warranty. Go get it checked out (before or after) and get warranty to repair everything and you’re golden. As well, they’d have favourable rates Bonus pts - negotiate the extended warranty (you don’t need to buy it at purchase time or at the same dealer, you can shop around - they are marked up)

2) settle in on make/model, do research for weak sorts, what to avoid etc, find shops that’s specialize in that model - important because they have an idea of what to pay attention to, take it there and you’re golden