Things I know: a low monthly payment over a long term loan period is more expensive in the long run. I will not mention my budget for monthly payments until the price is secured. I'm going to try for a loan through my bank with ma as the cosigner this weekend. I'd like to have the price reduced by the seller before I tell them I'm paying cash.

ask if you can take it to a mechanic you trust to look it over for a pre-purchase inspection

If I can't manage the loan, my monthly payment budget is pretty high, at least.

they should be okay with it, but if they're not then that's a huge red flag

oh I love my corolla

yeah, do not let them talk over you or try and sell you on something you don't want

Lordy. Mother is implying she needs to give me her advice and/or her permission for me to get a new car. Okay, ma.

buy from a place that will let you see the Carfax

Carfax is not foolproof because it depends on service being done by places that report to Carfax and some accidents don't get reported, but seeing the car's history in the Carfax can help inform to some degree.

and it should tell you if there are shenanigans like title brands (totaled, lemon, frame damage, water damage, theft, etc) or a modified odometer

....also. if you see any used former police vehicles... consider it, especially if it has AWD. law enforcement usually takes really good care of their cars cos they have to report even the tiniest accidents, even if there is no damage (like if it got the front guard)

and! if you want to pay in cash, you should be able to at a place that isn't sketchy. they will probably just want to see evidence that you can afford it. like if you use a check card they would want to see your account balance so they know it won't overdraw. they'd probably prefer physical bank notes or a cashier's check

and one thing I learned about car loans. the car age and the loan amount may impact how long of a loan term is available. you'd need to consult the bank's rules. they tend to allow longer loans for much newer cars and for high loan amounts, whereas a smaller loan amount or an older car (or both) might require a shorter term so that the monthly payment

is higher.