its all part of it for me. it breaks you fix it, you want to make it better put in the time and then when everything is going well enjoy it. problems add character to any car its only ennoying if you let it get to you.

best fun i ever had was driving an escort that i bought for 300 euros. if it didnt work didnt matter, wanted to eat chips in it did it, use the tow bar as a parking aid that kind of thing.
just buy something you wont care for cheap untill it breaks proper and while your relaxed dogging the shitter focus on the other car as a hobbie rather then a mode of transport.