investor way
The easiest way to buy a car is to go to the dealership, pick out the car you want, and pay sticker price, financing the purchase with a car note from the dealership.
I am frugal with automobiles for various reasons. I grew up riding in and driving inexpensive cars that we worked on ourselves.
Two minor inconveniences in nine years that cost me about an hour total. Pretty darn good I think. So reliable transportation need not be expensive. Attending physicians do not have to drive fancy cars. You aren’t what you drive.
Both of my previous two daily drivers were bought at an auction, the first during the auction, and the second before the auction. You can get a car very quickly (if you can wait until the auction), but you may not be able to test drive it.
For a used car, go for the private party over a used car salesman. Used car salesmen have their reputation for a reason.
Have fun with it—when buying from a used car dealer, realize it’s a game and have some fun. I spent five weeks buying the car my wife is now driving.
When buying new, there is little reason to go to the dealership at all, except for a test drive and to sign the papers.
Have your mechanic go over it. I have a great, trustworthy mechanic. He treats me well, and I bring him plenty of business from friends, family, and these older cars I’m willing to drive.
If you are not rich but would like to be rich someday, realize that, like a college education, there is a dramatic difference in cost for a much smaller difference in actual quality, and that sometimes the much less expensive option actually has better quality.