I have around $4k for a vehicle, what would be a smart choice?

The first concern you should have when purchasing a vehicle is the milage. Most people today will trade or sell thier vehicles before or right after it hits the 60,000 mile mark because they do not want to pay as much as $3,000.00 to get the service done which includes replacing the timing belt. Check and make sure that the timing belt has been replaced and replaced by a professional or you may be buying a pile of junk. A timing belt goes and you may need to replace the entire engine and if not your valves and rods if not more. Timing Belt would be my first concern. Than I'd find out how much it will cost to have it replaced by a professional before I would even consider buying a car...