I can relate to your situation as I've been in a similar position before. When I needed financing for a replacement car, my credit history wasn't the best either. It made me a bit nervous about finding suitable options.
What worked well for me was approaching credit unions and lenders who specialized in assisting individuals with less-than-perfect credit scores. I found that they were more understanding of my situation and took the time to consider my current financial status and ability to make repayments.
In my case, I also had a close friend who had a strong credit history, and they graciously agreed to co-sign the loan with me. Having a co-signer provided the lenders with more confidence in my application and led to a more favourable interest rate.
I also considered buy-here-pay-here dealerships as an option and get a lot of info at
carvine. While they offered financing despite my credit history, I was mindful of the higher interest rates they typically charge. However, this option allowed me to get a car when I really needed one.