Welcome and good luck with the wagon.
In my experience, I would make sure everything safety related like brakes, tires, and suspension are working ok.
Best to make a checklist of everything you feel is in need of repair or is obvious like a broken shock for example. After looking at the list you need to figure out how much of that work you can do yourself. It is not an easy process, but if all the work is to be done in a shop it will cost a bunch.
I learned working on cars in a variety of ways. Someone with experience guiding me and also plenty of times using a manual and doing it myself. This was pre internet days where now you can view plenty of videos showing car repairs.
Cosmetics and performance should be at the end of the list."No sense putting on headers if the car will not start" was told to me many many years ago when I was young and doing my car project all *ss backwards. Keep your priorities straight and use common sense and in no time you will have a decent daily driver that will give you years of enjoyment.
Hope some of this helps and do not be scared to ask questions. You might not like all the answers, but there is hundreds upon hundreds of years of experience in building and modifying cars on this forum that can save you some time and hopefully some money too!
