u/incorrect_error07

I’m a 19 y/o looking to buy a car next spring/summer. I’m waiting until then because 1) I’ll have a better credit score and 2) I’ll have more money saved up. I want to buy used but have been seeing so much positive and negative information and honestly am getting cold feet. I’m a college student who worked part time so I can’t afford a really nice car/ a high car note. Any general advice? How can I tell if a dealer is shady or not? Should I wait and go with my dad who has more experience? Or should I just get a new car?

I should add that I would either buy from the Urbana-Champaign area, the Chicagoland area, or the Illinois-indiana border.