Auto Loan Right After Bankruptcy

Q: Just looking for some advice. Basically I was unemployed after Sept 11 for about 9 months. During this time me and my wife were having some hard times and we are now going through a divorce. I have recently filed for chapter 7 as I cannot keep up with the payments, plus the car I own is only worth $1000, but the loan on it is for $6000. My lawyer recommends getting rid of the car in the Bankruptcy and finding another car. This sounds easier said than done. Won't my crdit be ruined after Bankruptcy? How will I be able to get another car loan? My credit score is around 530 at the moment and getting worse. By the way I have heard of dealerships approving people after a Bankrupcty, but when I went to a friend who is a salesman at a Toyota dealership, he said that they absolutely would not consider me for a car loan after the bankruptcy. Does anyone know how this works?

A: My sister-in-law was able to

get a car 3 months after discharge. She had to shop around a bit but she managed to get one. Remember that 1) car dealers are anxious to move cars off the lot and 2) a car is probably the easiest thing to repossess if you fault on payments. The good old repo man will just show up with the tow truck and that's that. So it might take some talking, but you should be able to get a car. One hint: don't deal with a regular salesperson. Talk to the guy in charge of financing and be very forthright about your bankruptcy. Ask him what he can do for you. You might as well go straight to the top in this kind of situation. Also, Ford Corp. has a reputation of being "bankruptcy friendly .