How long after a bankruptcy discharge do you have to wait before buying a car?

There is no time restraint on purchasing anything after bankruptcy. In fact, as it is "after", barring something like intentional fraud by using undeclared resources that were available at the time of bankruptcy, your actions after filing have virtually no effect on or from the bankruptcy. In the pure sense, even if you won the lottery the week after filing bankruptcy, that wouldn't effect the pre-filing situation. Getting financing for the car may be a different matter. A lender will look at you entire credit profile, and they historically frown upon someone with a, especially recent, bankruptcy on record. However, some lenders have special programs for just tis situation, although at a higher interest rate.