Stuff I wanted from a car at various ages:
18: Cheap. Occasionally parts can fall off. -> Fiat Uno for 1k DM
25: Company car. Oh the camshaft exploded? Not my problem! Yay!
30: No car needed. Yay? -> DLR, Taxi and corporate cab account.
45: Cheap. Energy efficient. Reliable. Big trunk. -> Astra J 1.7 CDTI for under €5k
Now: Cheap*. Energy efficient. Reliable. Big trunk. 20 cm ground clearance. Bad road suspension. Seats that don't hurt my back.
No wonder its so hard to find with these growing needs :)
*Cheap means: If I have to spend more than €5k on a car it better be fucking awesome, lifts itself up for repair access, lasts forever, runs on beaver farts and not look like a malformed egg.