So was I. The newspaper and craigs list are great for finding beater cars they are out there still. I have a 83 ford pickup for sale it runs and rolls down the road with a camper shell The cruise even worked the last time I drove it. I used to use it for hauling my airplanes. I have good extra tires for it too. $400.00 is my asking price I have had many people look at it. But all I hear is "I will be back with the cash." Well nobody comes back. Cash is king when dealing with people with low cost cars that have had them for sale for awhile. Prices can be greatly reduced when you are serious and have the cash in hand. When you are serious and grab your wallet and say I will give you X amount right now nine times out of ten they will let it go. If someone came and looked at my truck and said I will give you three hundred cash right now I would say sold and give them the title and keys. I am not being mean or cruel here. I understand your plight i have been there but I took control and made something happen. But you also have to take a little control too. This old truck gets 8mpg but see in your case you can walk to work so you only need to drive it for other things so it is not a huge deal. The deals are out there I see them all the time all you have to do is look. Many of the $500 to $800 dollar cars can be picked up for half the asking price if you wave the cash in their face. I have done it many times. You just have to be firm and serious at that moment and if they see that in you You win. The higher the asking price the more wiggle room you have. You don't go back and forth you just say one time "I will give you X" if they say no then walk away not saying a word. I have done that and been stopped as the seller changed their mind when they seen me start to walk away. Or they come back with an amount I will pay. But I never pay their asking price unless it is already rock bottom someone who is desperate for quick cash at that moment.