Buying a car

Hello Poor Skillers (Skillets?)

I am a woman in my 20s looking to buy a car to replace my beloved Saturn.  I want something small, 4-door, around or under $12,000, and reliable (and hopefully, will last another decade).  I am looking to buy used, since of course my beloved Saturn is not a clunker (sigh).  I have no car skills whatsoever and I am worried the dealer is going to realize that and take advantage of me.  So- any car recommendations?  I am  vaguely thinking a Toyota or a Honda, but I am open to suggestions. Also, what things can I do at the dealers to assure myself I am not too badly being cheated?

Edited because I can’t reread my moronic mistypings, apparently.