Fresh Start
Life happens. We make it easy to get back on track.
Bad credit, a turn-down elsewhere or a buy here pay here loan you want out of: how the Fresh Start Finance Program works.
Fresh Start Finance Program
Bankruptcy Doesn't Have to Mean No Car.
Filed Chapter 7 or Chapter 13? You can still shop for a car in Longview. What changes is the paperwork, and we'll walk you through it.
Where your case stands changes what you bring
| Where you are | What lenders usually ask for | Talk to first |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7, discharged | A copy of the discharge order and your case number. U.S. Courts says the discharge is usually entered 60 to 90 days after the first date set for the meeting of creditors. | Our finance team |
| Chapter 7, still open | Usually the discharge first. Ask before you sign for any new credit. | Your bankruptcy attorney |
| Chapter 13, plan running | The trustee's or the court's written approval for the new debt. U.S. Courts says not to take on new debt without talking to the trustee first. | Your attorney and your trustee |
| Chapter 13, completed | The Chapter 13 discharge order | Our finance team |
General information, not legal advice. Check anything about your own case with your bankruptcy attorney or trustee.
A car during Chapter 13: the Western District's steps
Federal law splits Washington into two bankruptcy districts, and Cowlitz County is in the Western District (28 U.S.C. 128). Once your Chapter 13 plan is confirmed, the district's Local Bankruptcy Rule 3015-2 lets you send a written request straight to the trustee for permission to finance a vehicle.
If the trustee approves, no separate court order is needed. If not, you can still ask the court by motion. Your attorney handles that step, and a lender will want to see the approval before it funds the loan, so start it before you pick out a car.
Five ways to get ready
None of these replace your attorney's advice. They help a lender see the whole picture.
- Find your court papersThe discharge order for a finished case, or the written approval for new debt in an open Chapter 13. If you can't find the discharge order, ask your attorney for a copy.
- Read your credit reportsPull all three for free at AnnualCreditReport.com and check that accounts from your case are listed correctly. A bankruptcy can be reported for up to 10 years from when the case started (15 U.S.C. 1681c).
- Write down all of your incomeBenefits, part-time pay, a pension and self-employment can all go on the application. Regulation B bars a lender from writing off income just because it's part-time, a pension or public assistance; the lender still decides how much to count.
- Keep the loan smallA lower price, cash down or a trade-in all shrink what you borrow. During a Chapter 13, the trustee will want to know the new loan won't put your plan at risk.
- Apply when you're ready to buyAuto loan credit checks generally count as a single inquiry when they land within the same 14 to 45 days (CFPB), so keep your shopping to a few weeks.
How a lender reads a bankruptcy
The bankruptcy is one line in a bigger file. The CFPB's list of what lenders weigh also takes in what you earn and owe, how much you borrow, your down payment next to the car's value, and whether the car is new or used.
There's no single waiting period after a discharge: each lender sets its own rules. Our finance team asks about your case first, so your application goes to lenders that consider applicants with a bankruptcy on file. No approval is guaranteed.
Words you'll hear
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Discharge | The court order that ends your personal liability for most of the debts in your case (U.S. Courts). Lenders usually ask for a copy. |
| Trustee | The person the court appoints to run your case. In a Chapter 13, the trustee collects your plan payments and must be consulted before you take on new debt. |
| Chapter 7 | A case where most debts are discharged, usually within a few months. |
| Chapter 13 | A repayment plan, usually three to five years long, while you keep your property (U.S. Courts). |
| Reaffirmation agreement | An agreement to keep paying a debt, such as a car loan, that the bankruptcy would otherwise wipe out. It's a decision to make with your attorney. |
What our customers say
★★★★★4.6 stars from 1,444 Google reviewsRead our Google reviews for Bud Clary Subaru
“Enjoying my experience at Bud Clary. First purchase 2 years into bankruptcy and they really came through for me.”
Rustel K., Google review, January 2023
“Very friendly and they really worked with us on a car we wanted. ... Figures were ran several different ways to come up with a good plan for purchase. From sales to finance they were absolutely wonderful to work with.”
Nancy G., Google review, July 2024
“...Nicole was patient, knowledgeable, and truly listened to what I was looking for. She answered all my questions, went above and beyond to make sure I felt confident in my choice, and never once made me feel pressured.”
Mellisa L., Google review, November 2025
Excerpts from 5-star Google reviews, quoted as written. Every buyer's situation is different, and lenders make every credit decision.
Choosing a car that fits the plan
A used car keeps the loan smaller. Every used car we sell passes a 137-point inspection and comes with a 3-month / 3,000-mile limited warranty, a free CARFAX report, a 3-day / 300-mile exchange and your first two oil changes and two tire rotations free (tire rotations only on an electric car).
Start with our used cars under $20,000 or the full used inventory. If the right car is at another Bud Clary store, we'll move it to Longview at no charge, as soon as the same day.
More Fresh Start guides
First-time buyers
No credit isn't bad credit. It's a starting point.
Rebuilding from zero after a bankruptcy feels a lot like a first car loan. Here's what lenders look at when the file is thin.
What to bring to 961 Commerce Ave.
- Your discharge order, or the trustee's or court's written approval in an open Chapter 13
- Your case number, and your attorney's name and phone number
- Your driver's license
- Recent pay stubs, award letters for benefits, or tax returns and 1099s if you work for yourself
- A utility bill, lease or other proof of your current address
- Your insurance card, or your agent's phone number
Case papers ready?
Take the quiz at the top of this page, start the full credit application, or call (360) 575-6868 and ask for the finance team.
Visit Bud Clary Subaru
Bud Clary Subaru961 Commerce Ave.
Longview, WA 98632
Sales
- Mon - Fri
- 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Service
- Mon - Fri
- 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Frequently asked questions
How soon after a Chapter 7 discharge can I buy a car?
You can apply once the court has entered the discharge; bring a copy of the order. There's no single waiting period, because each lender sets its own rules.
Can I get a car loan before my Chapter 7 is discharged?
Check with your bankruptcy attorney first. Signing for new credit while the case is open is a question for them, and most lenders want to see the discharge.
Can you buy a car while in Chapter 13?
It can be done with your trustee in the loop. U.S. Courts tells Chapter 13 filers not to take on new debt without talking to the trustee, and in Washington's Western District, Local Bankruptcy Rule 3015-2 lets you ask the trustee in writing once your plan is confirmed.
How long after bankruptcy can I get a car loan?
It depends on the lender. Credit reports can carry a bankruptcy for up to 10 years, so expect a lender to ask about it no matter how long it's been.
Will a franchise dealer work with me after bankruptcy?
Bud Clary Subaru will. Our finance team takes applications from buyers with a discharged case or an open Chapter 13, and sends them to lenders that consider applicants with a bankruptcy on file. Each lender decides, and no approval is guaranteed.
What is a reaffirmation agreement?
It's an agreement to keep paying a debt, such as a car loan, that your Chapter 7 would otherwise discharge, usually so you can keep the car. It's a legal decision with real consequences, so make it with your bankruptcy attorney.
Is the Fresh Start Finance Program part of my bankruptcy case?
No. Bankruptcy law talks about giving debtors a fresh start, but our Fresh Start Finance Program is simply Bud Clary Subaru's name for how our finance team handles credit-challenged applications. It plays no role in your case and doesn't replace your attorney's advice.
Related pages
The Fresh Start Finance Program is Bud Clary Subaru's name for how our finance team handles applications from buyers with bad credit, no credit or a past bankruptcy. Financing comes from outside lenders, which decide approval and terms, and approval isn't guaranteed. This page is general information, not legal advice. A negotiable documentary service fee of up to $200 may be added to the sale price.