Hey Guys!

I'm in a pretty major pickle, and am doing my best to make something work—to no avail so far. Let me explain my predicament.

I moved in with my cousin almost a month ago, hoping to find a job in her area while saving for my own place, as she was being kind and not asking for rent to try and help me out. Another relative took pity on my struggles and bought me a '99 VW Beetle to help me get to and from work, hoping I could get enough use out of it before it "took a crap" on me. The previous owner stated the car was pretty beaten up, as his son "drove it like a racer" and was pretty hard on it, despite it only having around 180k miles on it.

Well, the car they bought was a Standard, and I hadn't driven one before save for maybe 20 minutes total back in 2015. I spent all the spare time I could afford driving her around smaller towns and areas that were more comfortable for my skill level while learning (or lack thereof).

About week 3 of having her, and admittedly just when I was starting to reach a point where I only stalled her out occasionally—she indeed decided it was time to "take a crap" on me. After being stranded for almost 8 hours, my cousin and I were finally able to get her hauled to a friend's, where she's been sitting since.

I've talked to multiple mechanics, auto experts, and the likes to try and figure out what's wrong with her, and a plan for how to go about getting her fixed. Everyone that's looked at her or been given the run-down of the situation has come to a unanimous decision that the Clutch Plate has gone out and needs replacing.

Problem with that is, when she broke down on me I was unable to make it to training for the job I was supposed to be starting within days, as its nowhere near being within feasible walking distance. In fact, in the small town we live in, there aren't ANY jobs within reasonable walking distance—the closest being almost 35 minutes away by Interstate.

I've called local mechanics and even searched online for estimates of what I'd be looking at cost-wise to get her fixed, and everything I'm finding is saying it won't be anything less than $1500—if I'm lucky. (The best average estimate I've gotten is that it's gonna cost me around $2000-$2500 for both parts and labor.) And due to her breaking down when she did, I wasn't able to make it to work let alone get anything saved for when she decided she *was* Done For.

I've now spent days calling local banks trying to apply for Title Loans and the likes in hopes of getting her into a shop, but unfortunately none are willing to give me a loan due to the whole "I don't have a job" situation. (Yes, even after explaining that I will have one AFTER Herby is fixed/that I just can't make it there reliably until she is fixed.)

I've posted online to multiple Socials asking for any kind of help anyone was willing to give me, and have only had 2 people donate about $20/apiece for said issues. Which is beyond appreciated of course, just nowhere near the goal of what I'm needing to make something happen.

It's gotten to a point where I'm getting desperate— I NEED a job, and I need to get Herby fixed, but it's turned into quite the Catch-22 situation. I've discussed possibly selling her to avoid having to worry myself with getting her fixed at all but, as a female with limited vehicle knowledge, and considering the car's current value when compared to the repairs she's needing—it's simply not worth it to sell it (and frankly I have no desire to deceive anyone about the situation in order to get some of that money back).

If anyone at all could spare even a couple dollars, it would be MORE than appreciated!! I'm beyond ready to get her fixed, get back to work, and get myself into a better situation for continued success in the future.

Wishing everyone nothing but blessings!

—Lyssa