I forgot to post back on here to give an update on the situation. I ended up getting a car loan for a pretty decent car, a 2013 Corolla. I was able to get to and from my internship and have been able to be a lot more independent back at school, not relying on friends/parents to take me back and forth between home and school over breaks or to the grocery store.
My car payment is definitely an area of anxiety at times, but I have been smart with my finances and have not missed a single payment thus far. I always make sure to have enough for at least a few months in case I can’t find a job. Although a stressful decision, I am glad I made it. Getting a car was absolutely necessary and getting a reliable car to make the drive to/from home was a good decision. It may not be the flashiest car, but it is reliable and gets the job done.
Thank you everyone for your input!