Help me think straight about my car dilemma
Hey dad. I'm being dumb about taking care of this issue because so many problems have stacked up and my life is so off track that I'm overstimulated. So I know this is not rocket science; I just need to hear the insight though, to get out of the brain fog to problem solve, and pick myself up and deal with it. I'm not stupid and lazy normally. I'm just overwhelmed.
The background with my car is that the car in front of me slammed on their brakes, and I didn't stop fully in time and ran into them. My car is still drivable, and the engine is fine, but the bumper and body are messed up. I took my car in to see what it would cost to fix it. It's going to cost more than it's worth because it's an older vehicle. About $5k to repair, that I could just put toward a newer vehicle. I only spent $8k to buy it used in the first place.
I had been planning on buying a new vehicle for a while anyways, but I have been putting it off because my work contract ended and I haven't been able to get a job for a year now (just gig work to stay afloat). But now my car won't start, and the clincher is that the hood is stuck shut. I haven't been able to get it open since I last checked the fluids.
Help me think straight. I just want to get the hood open to jump it, and prevent it from being stuck shut again. And not pay thousands until I get back on my feet. Is that possible? Or at this point is the only option to junk it / get it towed away, and just not have a car? I've had to live out of my car before, and times are bad again, so it's a huge security issue for me to just not have one. I'm trying to find a way for it not to come to that. I just appreciate your help.
Update: Oh my god I got it open!! THANK YOU for getting my mind going. I can get someone to jump it and keep it going while I find a job, and still have my car to live in if things get that bad again. Thank you guys for talking it out. I can't thank you enough.