<prompt> Human: Edit: thank you for all of the advice! I am blown away by the sheer volume of responses, and appreciate them all!So Im 21, and I am in school studying engineering project management.Im starting a full time job next month that pays 75k a year, and is reimbursing me for school. It is about an hour away from my school, and I need a car.The thing is, my amazing 18 year old self thought it would be a great idea to trash my credit. Its slowly building again, but its still terrible.My savings are negligible. I have 1000 liquid and about 1000 in an index fund. For now, all I can think of is to rent a car until I have enough to buy a used car with cash.It now occurs to me that maybe the extra Id be paying for a rental car for the first few months might amount to the same or more than what I would be paying on a high interest loan. Any advice?TL;DR is the title  <response>: Ask your friends if they know of any mechanics. And have them inspect any car youre planning on buying prior to buying it!You dont want your brakes giving out while on the highway! 