Check out www.govdeals.com for government surplus (and sometimes confiscated drug bust) cars and trucks near you. Almost all govt vehicles are on a strict maintenance schedule. All cop cars have to be kept in good shape to chase bad guys, but by the same token they have been used to chase bad guys, and possibly used hard. They have undoubtedly been idled for long periods too. I would not suggest one for you, although I have bought them.
You might also look at the F-150s with the straight 6cyl in them.
Somehow, I think OP has unrealistic notions about what a decent vehicle costs, and about maintenance expenses
I also think that if he lives in the USA he does not realize that there are used car lots on almost every corner.
“You might also look at the F-150s with the straight 6cyl in them.”
I wouldn’t sell my '94 with that engine for $3,000. I confess that most of that is probably sentimental atracment, though.