Buying a car and getting a mortgage

[jjj117]

I am recently discharged from a 100% Chapter 13. I am currently renting to own a house. I have a window in which to get a mortgage or the house will be put on the market. I have until Sept 30, 2011. My rent payments come off the agreed upon price. I obviously want my credit to improve as much as possible before I apply for a mortgage. The bankruptcy "should" drop off my credit reports 2 1/2 months before my mortgage deadline. My problem is this. I need a new vehicle. I drive an older car. It is terrbile in the snow. To get to places I need to go to(including work) I have to negotiate some pretty decent hills that I have already tried and failed on this winter. I really need to get a 4WD. I'm not planning on buying a $40,000 SUV, but I need to do something. The car I am driving is starting to give me mechanical problems not to mention the snow driving. I have read that getting a car loan lowers your credit. Would I be better off getting a new vehicle by summer giving me a year plus to pay it down before applying for a mortgage? Or should I hold off and deal with the potential problems and try for the car loan after mortgage? Would a year plus old car loan effect me that much when it comes time to apply for the mortgage?