I bought a used 1987 VW Jetta for $500.00 And I couldn't get it to p emissions?

So I took it to a recomended VW shop and found out that it had a whole bunch of problems that I didn't see when I bought it. I can't afford to buy another car but I need a car. And right now it looks like it's going to be expensive to fix it. I also have a 1991 Plymouth Voyager Van that just needs a new .I know it will make it through emissions but like I said it needs a new . I live in Portland Oregon. I don't know what to do. I'm really depressed about this any ideas?