<prompt> Human: So my pos mercury mountaineer is having transmission issues and now the alternator is shot. I purchased at 2500 cash it has over 115k miles. Now I am worried that after already buying new brakes at 900 three months ago, that I should not bury anymore money into this car. If I could have thoughts on that and also how it affects my decision about financing a used car at a dealership. I am preapproved through capital one for up to 25k. I was looking at a used crv at 9k locally. Capital one rate is over 10, should I take the capital one offer to my credit union. I have no idea what Im doing so any help is useful. Credit score 658 with bad cc utilization. UPDATE:So I very much appreciate all of the responses! the original 900 I spent was not just on brakes, also exhaust manifold. I should have clarified earlier. Mechanic just got back to me and said that the alternator will be a little over 400 total. I want to shop around for car loan rates as I think getting something with a low payment for now will at least help to offset the outrageous amount of money I put weekly into gassing up the Mercury gets like 15mpg, with the tranny issue more like 8mpg. Also I feel like a crv will just straight up last longer than this thing to help me get caught up with debts. Even with the 10 rate from cap one the car payment would be 185 after my trade in and down payment. I need to get at least a crv size compact SUV as I have two small children and two car seats lol.So the question now is how do I avoid too many hard inquires on my report. I have the pre-approval offer from cap one, should I just take that to the credit union? If I go to a dealership I feel like Im gonna get three hard inquiries. Added question:Would taking out a personal loan or my wife taking a business loan be a better option than a car loan?  <response>: You spent 900 on brakes? You need a new mechanic ASAP. 