you can work 2h more per day because you don't have to wait for the bus
It pays off if you already have the money up front to buy a car with, or if you have enough income before you buy the car that you qualify for a car loan. You can't get a loan by telling the bank "well, I'm living totally hand to mouth now but if you front me a few thousand bucks for a car then I'll surely find enough extra work to pay back your loan, and pay for gas, and pay the insurance, and pay the insurance deductible if my car gets crashed..."
It pays off if you already have the money up front to buy a car with, or if you have enough income before you buy the car that you qualify for a car loan. You can't get a loan by telling the bank "well, I'm living totally hand to mouth now but if you front me a few thousand bucks for a car then I'll surely find enough extra work to pay back your loan, and pay for gas, and pay the insurance, and pay the insurance deductible if my car gets crashed..."
Cash flow, cash flow, cash flow.