Student with a 2007 Toyota Rav4 needs advice !

TL;DR, Should I even care about fixing this car for the long term or focus on what's necessary ?

  • Canadian university student
  • Broke ; struggling with Student credit loan, credit card, tuition fees, rent cost
  • First car ; 2007 Toyota Rav4 ; bought almost 4 years ago now. Was $7500 taxes included from dealership.
  • I cannot get rid of my car ; my University is in a different province (NB) and I come from QC ; to which I move back every summer.
  • I'd like to maintain/keep this car for years and push it to 350k km +.
  • I do my oil changes frequently at the 7k km mark.

I love learning about cars through my own, although right now I'm facing a couple car problems that make me question what to do.

Here is the information :

  • 2007 Toyota Rav4
  • 180 000 km on the odometer
  • Rust proofed every year I've owned it ; rust holes in rocker panels on both sides (getting bad) - Given a quote to repair 1 side (passenger) for $1400 CAD.
  • Horn doesn't work anymore ; was thinking of fixing it myself in about 2 weeks (End of semester).
  • Handbrake doesn't work ; Fixing it was quoted at $574 CAD 2 years ago or so, never did it.

Just came back from the mechanic for summer tire change + general checkover.

  • Rockers rusted (no shit).
  • Right-Front inner tie rod has excess play.
  • Right-Front control arm bushing is separated.
  • Left-Front control arm bushing is separated.
  • Front pads getting low ; 3-4mm
  • Exhaust rusty and noisy

Guy told me there's nothing that needs IMMEDIATE attention but that if my car was plated NB it wouldn't pass the safety checks, :/.

What would you do in my position ?