offsubject but can anybody translate financial terminology for me?

[Elainemmbell at aol.com]

As you know I've been having a viciously miserable couple of months because 
of financial problems, most of them emanating from bad cars...desperately 
trying to buy something now but have poor credit and little cash (little on 
this day meaning none)...one car dealerhas just told me I could, given my 
"sub-prime credit history" buy something with a $3000 rebate plan , which 
really means I'd put $500 down and the $2500 would be "part of the car".  I 
speak English as a first language and am quite facile with it, but this 
sentence makes NO sense to me.  Will there be $2500 hidden under the seats?  
Does it mean I'll pay $2500 MORE for the car than someone else would?  I just 
don't follow and he talked really fast and thought his explanation made 
sense...is someone out there practiced enough at mundane real world matters 
to advise me? I feel SO stupid! (he also had much better shoes than I)

Thanks in advance for any help, and apologies to anyone offended by my 
requesting real-life assistance.  Without family and without friends any more 
practical than I am this was my best avenue for support!

Elaine M.M. Bell, Writer
(860) 523-9225
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