Looking for My First Car ($3000 and under)?

So, what I've been able to come up with are 3 cars that I'm truly interested. What I have to spend is $2000, and I think my mom can maybe help out with another thousand if I Really need it.
1999-2002 Honda Accord for about $2000
2000-2002 Honda CR-V for $2950
And I know this is an odd-ball car compared to the others, but I Really like the Mercedes Benz 300 series from the 1980's, and I've found a few for under $3000…

I know a Mercedes costs a lot to maintain, but maintenance isn't really a problem. I just want a car that won't have something horrible(ly expensive) happen (like transmission failure)

I'm also leaning more toward the Mercedes because it has a diesel engine, and from what I've read, diesel engines tend to last a lot longer. And I simply can't find a bad thing about the car other than expensive repair (if something horrible happens) and expensive maintenance.
Otherwise, I guess I can fit the budget for the CR-V… I like the CR-V a lot as well, my mom has a 2015 model, so I'm familiar with the way they drive and such.

If you have any other suggestions for cars that. You know, don't generally fail in horrible ways, feel free to suggest. I'd like to try to keep it $2000 and under, and will only go up to $3000 if it's really a spectacular car.

Thanks.

Added (1). Oh, and ABSOLUTELY NO AWD vehicles. 2WD and 4WD is fine, but hell no to AWD.

Added (2). Another important factor is I'm a 19-year-old male, and I need the insurance to be as cheap as possible.

Short answer, Tyler. Honda.

Any Honda vehicle you find that has been properly and fully serviced and maintained will last a easy 250k or more miles. That, and will not nickle and dime you are high part costs on the way.