Do people find this strategy to be true? My understanding (and one experience a few years ago) was that because the dealers/carmakers make money on the loans, they may make a better deal to get you to sign a loan whether you need it or not. My one experience was getting down to the final negotiations on a new truck, and the sales manager said he could meet my offer only if I agreed to a loan (I was offering cash). He said that I could pay off the loan after a couple of payments and we'd all be happy.