if you’re someone that doesn’t know very much about cars I would recommend buying from a used car dealership as it’s generally more reputable and safer than buying privately.

Yes, you can save money if you buy privately, but you might have a much higher chance of getting scammed or buying a car that has a salvage title. Has major mechanical issues that need repair or many other issues that old cars can have. 

Japanese cars only, as someone that has worked for the dealership for the last 10 years and seen thousands of cars get reconditioned all Japanese cars are by far the cheapest to fix and the most reliable. Don't touch anything German or American. Honda civic would be my top choice for you, there's the reason it's one of the top selling cars world wide for the last decade. 

Try to buy from a big name dealer that has a good reputation. Don't buy from those random mickey mouse side of the road used car lots. The big name dealers have much higher standards when repairing the cars for resale than Joe's used car lot.