Minor things have failed for years that I haven't had the cash to repair - one of the rear doors doesn't open, the rear wiper doesn't work, one rear window won't open, the latch on the rear hatch has to be manually reset or it won't close, and the power locks are temperamental. They only unlock one door, and often have to be hit three or four times to do that. The cruise control doesn't work. The bottom along the sides is rusted out (Indiana uses salt on the roads in the winter.) Oh, and I just went to look in the engine an the hood release broke off in my hand. I'm guessing that any further repair costs are going to exceed the vehicle's value - which I just checked, and is far lower than I'd expected. Most of that, though, is cosmetic and convenience stuff. I can pull a door handle to unlock it. I can trip the rear latch.
Lately, though, it has been one thing after another mechanically. I replaced the rear brakes in October, which ate up my Christamas budget. I had to replace the plugs, wires, and fuel filter last month, which ate up my summer savings for the boys. Now, in the last three weeks, the engine has started to squeak, the front brakes have begun to squeal, and I was told that the battery is about to die. I have no more savings to fund repairs.
Here's the problem: I have no savings, and I have no ability to take on a regular monthly expense. I've already had to cut my food budget down from $360 to $240/month (for three people) to keep on top of my medical bills. That means I need to make due with what I can trade the van in for. The trade in value of the van - checked in three different places - is about $600.
I am also completely incapable of bargaining, and know absolutely nothing about cars. Not a thing.
Also, my kids go to school 25 miles away, and the only grocery store in my town is about 50% higher than anything in a regular town (they're the only one here, and they know it.) Not having a working vehicle is not an option.
