<prompt> Human: I have 700-730 credit score, I have no debt, I have one credit card with a 2000 limit that I use frequently but I pay down monthly. I drive a 2005 Volvo s40 that has body wear, windshield wear, and is requiring semi regular maintenance that usually runs around 300 bucks every six months or so. I have been looking at buying a used Subaru Impreza or Crosstrek from a local dealership and they are around 13-20k but I am very gun shy and dont really know how to navigate or negotiate the process. I imagine that getting an auto loan would be a good thing for me credit wise, but I am unsure on what I can expect for rates and amounts. I have no money for a down payment, so the thought of repairing my Volvo and setting aside a few thousand for that doesnt seem wrong either. TLDR: Any advicedosdonts on buying a used car vs repairing an aging one.  <response>: Never, Ever, EVER take out a loan to increase your credit score. Your credit score can be increased organically over time by using credit responsibly. In a given month, how much do you charge on your credit card? We need to determine the utilization portion of your credit mix. I cant speak much to the car expertise part of things. Im sure others will be able to chime in with what type of car you should purchase or if you should repair the Volvo. For an auto loan your best bet would likely be through a credit union. I went this path Nov 2016 and it couldnt have been easier. I suspect interest rates are probably in the 2-3 range. Find a local credit union if you arent already a member of one and they will be able to get the loan paperwork started if you end up needing an auto loan. You basically set up everything with the credit union and then go shopping for a car. As a general rule of thumb, you dont want to finance a vehicle through a dealership. Youll usually pay at least twice as much in interest as they add markup. Dealership finance offices are a huge source of revenue for the dealership. 