That really depends on the interest rate. If the going rate is good (especially 3% or below), why tie up the capital in a car purchase when you can be putting it to work elsewhere?
In that case, you don't have to get a loan, but you do anyways.
Isn't that the default? Even trying to fund a 4 thousand dollar beater may take a loan.
Nope. This one out of all the comments in this thread screams out of touch tech guy. 80% of car purchases in America are financed. There are over 100 million car loans in America. Though in a more ideal world car loans should not be necessary, in this one, they very much are.
Just because its necessary to get a car, which folks do usually need in our society, doesn't mean they can afford it...
Most purchases being financed through debt isn't a compelling argument that people can afford the purchase. It's a highly predatory market for something that many people need just to survive.