Agree with StartingOver10, getting a beater does not mean you're buying something unreliable. In your situation, if you can get together 3-4K, you can find a used Civic or Corolla that will have high mileage, but will run forever with basic maintenance. Going with a 25% interest rate will only hurt you down the road when you achieve higher scores. Then in a year or so when your scores get over 600, you'll be in a lot better position to get a better interest rate, you can then use the "beater" to trade-in and use that as a down payment for something you really want. Applying to places online with mid 500 scores is only going to end up in denials and with each inquiry, it puts you further behind.
