<prompt> Human: I am a 3rd year community college student with about 10-15k in loans from that and have decent credit from having credit cards. I need to get a new car in the fall. I am looking at a car that is about 12k. Is this practical? I will need a loan of most likely 8-10k. I will be working 20 hours a week during the school year making 200 a week. I am fortunate that my parents help with insurance and part of my cell phone bill. Edit I dont think I was specific enough about the liberal arts degree that is just so I can transfer to a four year and pursue an actual major when I figure what I wanna doAssistant: Do you already have a car? Or one that you can use? Whats wrong with it?Human: I have a 2001 chevy malibu. Its just old and beaten up and i do not think it will last another brutal winter in New England. it has almost 180,000 miles on it. to be honest I really just love cars and want a nice one and am ln love with acura tls and plan on keeping the car till years after college Assistant: Given that you wont be able to sell the Malibu for more than 500 Id just keep it and drive it until it breaks, then get a car when you graduate and have a full time job. We all know the peer pressure and all... but listen to those who are 30 and older and theyll tell you it doesnt matter what you drive as long as it doesnt put you in significant debt. And think of that shiny new car in the harsh NE winter!!! Do you really want to get salt and crap all over it? Human: thats why I am contemplating it. I just feel like having the car will make me happy as sickening as that sounds. My car now is a mood killer. If i was to get this car I plan on keeping it years into my full time job. I do not want to get another beater car because I plan on getting my masters so the new car I get needs to last another 4-5 years and with the malibu ive put over 1k of repairs to it sense i got it 2 years ago.  <response>: 1k in 2 years is nothing. 