If a purchase requires you to borrow money, seriously ask yourself if you need to make the purchase. Could you (the royal you) buy a cheaper car, borrowing less or paying cash? Could you sustain another year in your current living situation?

The problem with debt-financed purchasing is that while it expands short-term options if not managed properly it can severely limit long-term options.

You don't need a credit score if you can pay 50% down, which you may be able to do if you didn't pay all your money to the credit card companies.