First car purchase

The OP is looking for a used car. A Vibe is very much in his price range. I like the VW diesels just fine (as I noted), but there are five CR reliability levels and the Golf diesel is in the middle one. I believe CR calls it ‘good’, which is true, but it still puts it statistically right in the middle group. The groups are pretty evenly distributed, so that puts it near average for all cars made. If you drove enough miles it could make sense. Otherwise it’s just more expensive and less reliable than a regular Golf (which is in a higher category).

If OP is a female, she should get something that is comfortable and will make her look good driving it.

If OP is a male, he should get something that can carry, ski, bike, boat, airplane.

If OP has a S/O, then let the S/O make the decision because any decision that OP would be wrong.