When we've needed a new/newer vehicle I've always researched what's available, and then decided which type of vehicle will best suit our needs at the time. We keep a vehicle fund available-rather than make payments and pay interest, over the course of time we've made those payments to ourselves and earned interest for ourselves. Once it grows to a certain point we roll part of it over into a longer term investment at higher interest rates, then continue to add to the original fund.
This gives us the ability to be cash buyers, and provides immediate cash for a major repair/replacement if needed. When we purchase used I always purchase from a private party, I know the price I want to pay, and have no problem going straight to the bottom line. Same with new-I don't play games with the dealership (and don't go to dealers who do play those games). I know what the numbers are on the vehicle and what the dealer paid for it, and I'm willing to allow the dealer to make a reasonable profit.
The two Dodges that we own were very painless experiences. It took perhaps an hour to purchase them-I knew exactly what I wanted and exactly what I was willing to pay. The dealer/salesperson was one that I've used for years, and they went straight to the bottom line without any fuss. I always sell my prior vehicles myself, so there's no trade in to worry about.
Our Subaru was purchased from someone who likes to sell their vehicles every 2 years (I'll never quite understand that). Their loss, our gain. And our 2002 Buick was one that was purchased from an elderly lady's estate-Buicks depreciate like a rock but are pretty solid cars, and this one only had 38,000 miles when I purchased it last spring.
