My name is Jonathan and I'm a recent university graduate.

4 weeks ago at the time of this writing (21 Nov), my old car's transmission died and had to be replaced. Due to this being the 3rd major repair in the <2 years of having it, finding a new issue on pickup that could not be seen to promptly, and the fact that paying off any outstanding loan and the repair would have put me -$3000 under at the time, I made the decision to trade it in.

Unfortunately, due to the surrounding circumstances of the otherwise imminent debt, carpooling to work, needing a car and trying to arrange all this alone in-between office hours, I panicked and signed myself into an unsustainable financing deal on Nov 9 (2 weeks ago). Due to the rollover from the previous car and my job history, the financing total ends up being just under $58,000 to be spread out over roughly 7 years. At a $640 monthly payment, my current monthly deficit if nothing changes will be -$400/month before food. I'm taking steps to cut expenses in the meantime, but that largely involves moving out and skipping out on work for it.

Due to the recency, details and circumstances of the deal, I'm also told there may be a legal case to make a claim to try and pressure the dealer into responding to my requests for renegotiation, but consumer protection laws do favour them in this case. Surrendering the car would leave me with any outstanding loan value after a debt consolidation agency assess my lack of finances. I'd ideally get them to let me keep the car just on a more affordable lease agreement, but the dealers aren't really responding to me. Right now I'm told the legal route is the most prudent option.

I'd appreciate anything you might deem fair to give to help expenses in the meantime. If nothing else, buffer potential debt or legal fees.