It doesn't have to be a expensive. Buy an older cheaper car, don't put comprehensive insurance on it. If you don't drive it much, there's really not that much maintenance work. Pretty much just an annual oil change.

I have an old jeep that I use for local driving. Bought it for about $5k. I live in Michigan, where insurance premiums are top 5 in the nation. I pay $60/month for insurance. Probably could get it lower with a bit more shopping around.

Total maintenance has been $150 for a set of used tires that will dry-rot before I kill the rest of the tread.

Yeah, good point. My friend just sent me this: https://dzautocenter.com/ (cheap used cars, Houston)

I'll get a $6000 Mazda this weekend and put liability insurance on it. Now I can stop moping around on HN. I'll miss it though.