Help! I need a car/long-term car rental fast or I'm going to lose my job! (Jacksonville: bad credit)

[Vinny Lugo]

I need some advice or I am going to lose my job because I have no car now! When I first came to Jacksonville, I made a very poor decision and I don't plan to make that decision again.

I bought a Honda Civic that was a total piece of trash. I have put about 7k into repairs on the car since I have had the car and I have kept it running for over a year now, but the car now has 238000 miles on it and it's beyond repair.

I have had the same job for 3 years now. However, I work security and work two separate posts. Both of my posts are very far away and are not on the busline. My car crapped out last Saturday and my boss has given me until Friday or I'm out of a job!

My credit sucks and my mother totaled one of my previous cars in the past so I have an outstanding loan of 3k on my credit as well. I do not want to go to one of these buy-here-pay-here places or I will be totally screwed and get a sky high rate per month. I have about $1200 to my name and don't know what to do. I have also thought about a long-term lease for a month so I save up and could buy a car cash only.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[springfieldcollegealum]

I don't know how much you make at your jobs but you need to keep your job regardless of anything else. I see some car dealerships that are Toyota dealerships etc. and they say bad credit won't be turned down. I would see if I could get a decent car since you do have a job so that you can keep your job. Did your mother not pay you anything for totaling your car or why do you still have an outstanding loan on the totaled car? I would try and get a better car first that is decent and will run. Then go to the next possibility if that doesn't work out. Sounds like you need to realize that pouring $$ into a bad car doesn't make things better. Good luck.

[SharkToothHunter]

Try some of the bigger dealerships they should have some programs that might help. I do have a friend at Jacksonville Jeep off of Baymeadows that could help you out.

[Florida2014]

Unfortunately you're going to likely have to buy another very used vehicle. Lots of dealerships and private sellers are selling sub-$3000 cars that run just fine. With no downpayment and assuming you have terrible credit, your payment might be high but it's your only option. Finance through a credit union to get a better interest rate.

Never put that kind of money into repairing a car with 200K+ miles in it.