You don't want to buy a car that needs paint, costs way too much to have done properly, and unfortunately hardly any shops do it properly these days.
I started joyriding my dads cars when I was 12 while he was working or away, got my permit and first car at 15 from money I saved, and license at 16. I love absolutely love driving, and my pops was all about getting me a license as soon as he could, s*** he had me out practicing in the snow in his 350 Olds when I was 14 :lol: there's no way I'd have waited till I was 18. I've also never been in an "accident." Now I may have slid off some back roads here and there and broke some suspension or rims, BUT they were empty and I never pulled any stupid s*** with cars or people around,
that was only cause I was driving with the WRC mentality
So dude definitely get your license and car as soon as you can. Find a list of cars that you like how they look and are in your price range and go from there. If you're tight on cash and don't have a skilled mechanic in the house, stay away from the Euros, great cars but they need maintenance and can get technical. Old cars are usually a pain, even with low miles they have problems with things that just weren't designed as well back then. Try picking up an import from the last 10years and you'll be ok, plus learning to drive manual is more engaging and will make you a better driving so I'd recommend that route.