If you do have to take out a high interest car loan, try to pay at least $200 extra per month towards it for at least the first year.

Early on so much of your monthly payment goes towards interest so you're paying down the principal very slowly at first.

An extra $200 a month is $6k in extra principal paid off after the first year. Now you're accruing that much less interest after the first year, and next year more of your payment will be going towards principal.

Keep this up and you'll pay off your loan early and save thousands in interest. Your credit will be better again and you'll qualify for a much better interest rate on your next auto loan.