Tips on Buying Cars: Lease Trade, auto auctions, lease trade

Question
My car has just completely broken down.  I live in Los
Angeles and don't have disposable income.  Do you have
any thoughts about lease trading or auto auctions? My
credit isn't the greatest, but I can afford a few hundred per
month (I had been putting that much into the old car).  Any
input in lease trading or auctions would be very much
appreciated.
Thanks,
--Ward  

Answer
Thanks Ward for the question.  I get similar ones all the time.  My experience has been to go to a LOCAL credit union, set down with the loan officer and tell him your problem and ask him how you should go about it.  As to auctions the good ones are for dealers only and my experience has been that the ones available to the general public are rip-offs.  Best of luck to you.  Bud