As the title says, I am asking for your help!

I am a student in the country that produces great cars north of the Alps. I'll finish my studies in a year and am looking for a car to be more mobile.

Unfortunately, I don't know jack shit about cars. Here is where you guys enter: where can I learn basic things about cars? Is there a good guide?

Additionally: I can transfer cars from Italy to my country for private reasons pretty easily. They are being slaughtered with city regulations concerning car emissions over there. So seeing that, I was wondering what a good car for the limit of five thousand Euros may look like? Any recommendations? It does not need to be small, I think sth along the lines of a five series BMW size, maybe even Kombi would be great to transport stuff from time to time! I do have mechanics that may help me fix a car up in both countries!

Thanks in advance for any help!