Need a new car with horrible credit and little money down, possible?

[Anonymous]

I also don't get the fascination with SUV's.I wouldn't get one even if somebody gave it to me and paid extra to keep it.I'd still be in the hole.
You just need a car that is safe and reliable specially if you live in the city.
There are dealerships that will sell you a car if you have a job, but getting car from them( super high interest) would be another you 2nd car buying mistake.
How do you end up with negative equity on a used car?! Never mind!
Many people bike their kids around and many more don't even own cars.
I know you are used to have a car.Cross that-you are used to having a SUV, but it's got to go! And don't buy another one til you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips on car seats and sedans. I want out of this truck more than anything but don't want to create more of a money mess. To be clear, when we got the car we could afford it as both of us were working. The long period of unemployment messed us up since we had to use all of our savings. The good news is that a new mechanic said it wasn't the engine but coils and spark plugs. We are looking at 1k for repairs, yay!!! That we can pay! The plan is to fix it and really make a dent in building up our savings/repairing our credit.

Thanks all!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the tips on car seats and sedans. I want out of this truck more than anything but don't want to create more of a money mess. To be clear, when we got the car we could afford it as both of us were working. The long period of unemployment messed us up since we had to use all of our savings. The good news is that a new mechanic said it wasn't the engine but coils and spark plugs. We are looking at 1k for repairs, yay!!! That we can pay! The plan is to fix it and really make a dent in building up our savings/repairing our credit.

Thanks all!!

Yay!! Did the original estimate come from Sears, by any chance? They once tried to charge me for a $1k repair on my 4-yr old Acura. I started to get teary and my bf laughed and said, "Get another estimate." I went to Baird Automotive in Arlington (who I could not recommend more highly) and they charged me about $60 bucks to tighten a few things and replace a bolt. Most of the charge was labor and diagnostic. Those guys are the best. Check them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yup, you need a used Camry. You can absolutely fit three car seats across. Even if you need to replace one or two car seats with a smaller model, you'll make it up on gas lickety-split. Plus, tires and repairs are cheaper. There is absolutely no reason for you to own an SUV. None.

+1

I had a Camry when I did carpool for my older daughter and we definitely fit 3 carseats across.

In this case, an SUV is a statement rather than a necessity.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the advice that repairing your car is a better bet than trying to buy something else, and that a nice sedan is a better bet than an SUV. But I think people can sometimes be too quick to suggest getting rid of the car entirely. I know that I can't go car free because of where I work and where I can afford to live, and I only have one kid. It's hard for me to imagine doing it with three. If I had the money to live closer in, then maybe...unfortunately, not everyone does.

That being said, no more SUVs after you get out of this hole, okay OP? If you *must* have a car, best for it to be the most efficient, reliable vehicle you can get. Good luck, I'm glad you got an estimate that you can work with.

[Anonymous]

I was told exactly a year ago that my catalytic converter Had to be replaced, by my reliable go-to mechanic. The car was an '04 with 115K miles at that point.

Fast forward to this April and miraculously, my emmissions was given one more year of life, with the original system in tact.

As a lobbyist, I sleep well at night knowing that there's so many other occupations more unscrupulous than mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was told exactly a year ago that my catalytic converter Had to be replaced, by my reliable go-to mechanic. The car was an '04 with 115K miles at that point.

Fast forward to this April and miraculously, my emmissions was given one more year of life, with the original system in tact.

As a lobbyist, I sleep well at night knowing that there's so many other occupations more unscrupulous than mine.

this is why I read DCUM.

[Anonymous]

In this case, an SUV is a statement rather than a necessity.

In this case, OP's SUV is a statement that it will take her $10 grand that she doesn't have to get out of owning it. And that she doesn't have a time machine. But your comment is so helpful.