even a small 4 cylinder ecnobox will be kinda tough on your budget.i take it your parents will be buying your insurance? will they be helping with fuel and repair expenses?
depending on how much they let you suffer........er learn lol,though it will feel like suffering. it may or not be a wise choice to select a pickup of any type on your budget.plus it depends on how much you want in wallet.if you don't care if your always broke or if you like knowing you'll have a few bucks on hand to by a girl a soda once in a while.
take a look at some little cars and test drive them before you through the idea out.sometimes we need to start off with what works better for us than we want to drive.though if you've got parents willing to help you out with fuel and repairs,then go at it.just know you'll always feel broke because compared to 40mpg any less is going to sting your monthly budget and you'll find yourself with no spare $ left after the constant repairs that come with vehicles of the early 90's.
this is why i preach the I-6's ive owned several of them, and the only major issue ive had was those GD fiber cam gears.
besides that, they have always treated me and my wallet good.
my first ride was a 144" powered 60 Ranchero.
but i did put a good amount of work into it before i turned 16.
but for $100 bucks, i couldnt pass it up.
and 25 years later, im still buying junkers and fixing them