Some context: i've never needed a car, because i've mostly lived in cities where you can get around using transit.
I've recently moved to a rural area where unless you have a car, you're shit outta luck on the weekends, because there are either no buses or one bus a day to move around. I can make it decently far riding a bike, but it is not a substitute for a car, unfortunately. I make a modest salary, and while i don't have a lot in the way of savings, i just saw a car the next town over for sale for a very low price (under 1000). I spoke to the owner and they were very clear that the car is pretty old (1999) and needs some work, but that it still works regardless.
Considering that the car would be mostly a convenience, and that gas/insurance shouldn't be too much of a expense... am I dumb for jumping in on this bargain? might I be in over my head in case the car needs a whole bunch of repairs?
Have you fixed cars before? Do you like doing it? Do you maintain enough money (say $500 minimum) on your account to pay for unexpected tows/parts on short notice? If you answered "no" to any of those questions I would advise against buying a fixer-upper unless you already have reliable primary transportation (which can be mass transit, assuming it can get you to and from work while your car is laid up).
That satisfied, getting into fixing up your own vehicle is really rewarding and I highly recommend it. Anyone can learn the skills required, though I would make sure the car you're getting doesn't require a ton of expensive specialized tools to fix (usually you don't have to worry with the more affordable brands that float around craigslist).