Help Kenny Get Back on the Road

Hello, my name is Kenny. I'm currently in a bind; my current car is basically at the end of its lifespan. I had a 1997 Chevy Lumina and recently the battery died. I initially thought it was no big deal, but when I was able to get to a mechanic, they told me that there was also a problem with my motor and it wouldn't be worth trying to keep my current car alive with all the repairs I'd have to put into it on top of the recent maintenance I've had to do.

The problem is, at this point in time, I'm not able to afford getting even a new car as I had planned to get one in about 1.5 - 2 years at most, especially since this would be my first time purchasing a new car. I wanted to have the proper funds in order and get a better idea of what to look for as a first-time buyer. If anyone is able or willing to contribute to helping me get a new car, I'd greatly appreciate any assistance as losing my current car is going to make things significantly more difficult for me going forward.