Hi, as the title says I'm afraid I'm having to settle for cars I do not want. I feel like I know how to to step by step get a car I want I'm just not sure if my current situation will even allow me that wiggle room.

Details:

Im trying to get a used car, I'm hoping to get a total price that is not exceeding 7k$ in retail, I've been looking at different used dealers for Rav4s since my first and only car was one. I've narrowed it down to 2006-2007 models. They seems to be available my issues is I already have a 2'500$ loan in my name through my credit union that fresh, this was a before my insurance declared my car a total loss, the car was lease to own so the junking of the car and gap paid off my lease but I'm starting from 0$ against o help with getting another vehicle

My credit score right now is a 618 considered non prime. I'm unsure if I can even ask my credit union how much I'm pre-qualified for since I already have a loan out through hem and they may deem that I cannot pay both with my feasible income: which is roughly 2000$ a month.

If I lease another vehicle the only viable place right now is only leasing 4Door low to the ground sedans that range from a down payment for 1000$ to 1250$. These are pretty much guaranteed since they are part of a no credit check inventory and after the total of the leased vehicle is paid off then I become the owner.

Should I settle for a vehicle that I'm gonna hate? Or should I risk getting my credit checked again this year for a vehicle? I'm very torn.

I've done a lot research on how to go about it but with my income and already having a loan in my name I'm not so sure if I have options.