"No lights on dash" doesn't mean much. There are many problems that will not trigger warning lights. Starting up nicely sounds promising but does the engine run properly on the road, is the transmission slipping, is the front end shaking and wandering all over the place, are the important computer controlled bits such as HVAC, exterior lights, and wipers working? 

However, $1000 is basically nothing these days for a driver. If it doesn't have any obvious problems and will pass inspection (if required) without major work you'll be ahead of the game if it even lasts just a year. Just don't buy a $1000 car that is going to require thousands of dollars of repairs in the short term.