So to preface...at the time of buying my CX-5, I had no credit history. Not bad credit. No credit. Suffice to say, if I didn't have the money for something I didn't buy it. I also didn't have any credit cards. I do now, because I understand how credit works now. At the time, the concept of credit and credit score didn't make sense to me.
Anyway, to get a good rate and to reduce their lending risk, I came in with a $12k down-payment figuring I was not interested in selling in a few years, and a $320/mo payment was pretty easy. That got me a 3.9% rate that we agreed on until I went to sign papers which I read very carefully and noticed the finance guy up it to 5.9%. I threw a fit a threatened to take my $12k somewhere else and proceeded to walk out. Finance guy relented and marked it back to the agreed rate.
I think I made one payment with them while otherwise refinancing through my credit union at 2.9% on Monday when they were open again as I bought my CX-5 on a Saturday.
It cost me a lot upfront sure, but figuring how much I saved on interest at the time having no credit, and having resolved in my mind that I was holding onto the car for as long as it would go, figured it was worth the upfront cost as resale, and other value factors during the loan term wouldn't matter in my case.
Now I have good credit and aren't the dumbass 22 year old who didn't know anything anymore. Now I'm turning 28 soon and know a little bit more...