First Car!

Hey i'm 14 turning 15 in a couple weeks, i am taking an automotive course next year in high school, i am planning on buying my first car over this summer coming up and fix it up next year so it is ready to drive when i get my licence. I was wondering what car would be a good first car, i need something fairly new (4-5 years old) but also not too expensive my limit is about 5 grand. I also want a car with power, i hate having a gutless car, i am leaning more twards a truck because they are very useful but i love old carborator cars cuz of their torque and just how they feel to drive. I also kind of want a standard car but i am worried about screwing up the transmission on it. Any info or suggestions will be helpfull, thank you.