<prompt> Human: I had a newer car that i was financing. I lost my job just after buying it and bounced checks and missed payments-now my credit score is in the crapper-Id imagine somewhere in the low 500s. I totaled the car last thursday broken ribs and ruptured spleen and just got home from the hospital today. Reality is setting in and I have to figure out this car situation so I can start getting to work etc. I make a good living now-roughly over 100k and personally I dont have a huge amount of debt. But i do have some stupid pay day loan type stuff on my credit report from when I was younger. Anyways, I have Gap insurance on the car I totaled so I think Ill be starting at zero. I have about 1000 I could put as a down payment-any suggestions? Im working on rebuilding my credit but unfortunately that doesnt help me get to work.Edit: So I just did a free credit check through credit.com. Is this a reliable site? It said mine was 603. So still fairly bad but perhaps not as bad as I thought it would be. Does this effect anything?Edit 2: thanks so much for the advice all. I get paid this upcoming Friday so I think Im going to put together 2500 and get something to hold me over for the next 6months or however long. Really need to get my finances in order!  <response>: Buy a car for 1000 and prioritize savings as part of your budget going forward. You will be driving a 1990s Volvo or something similar for a while until you get back on your feet.For someone making 100k a year you should have more than 1000 in savings. Build an emergency fund and develop proper budgeting habits going forward. This situation is exactly why you need them. 