Car headaches

Hi, I'm Lori and I hate cars.  I didn't use to even consider cars, other than "my car needs gas" or "my car is filthy".  That was before the great "PT Cruiser Debacle of 2011".  Yes, readers, we are a whole 19 days into a new year and already, I have a named debacle.  The beginning of this sordid affair, starts in 2007.  Newly pregnant, with a husband that drives a lot for his job, we had to have a new (used)car.  After moving 4 times in 3 years, money was a little tight, to say the least.  We ended up with a  2004 PT Cruiser.  The payment was low, the husband liked it well enough.  Being still a little bit young, we made the cardinal mistake of taking too long a term to pay of this stupid car.  We now owe so much more money than its worth (see husband and his LOT of driving=beaucoup mileage) and its breaking down, its not going to last long at all.  So we need a new car.  But don't want to roll over such a huge balance.  Did I mention its at least a grand to fix?  yeah.....So I'm in a quandary.  Do I pay loads of money (I don't have, btw) to fix a car likely to break down again or do I beg some car dealer to take advantage of me again and roll over a giant balance and end up in this same position 4 years from now?  Its giving me headaches and stress and frustration.  I want to do what's right for us, but God help me if I can figure out what that is.

So end rant!  Has anyone else dug themselves out of this kind of (gaping, depressing, seemingly endless) sort of hole?

Lori