I agree with you. I wouldnt travel 500 miles for a car, but I do hit up as many dealerships I can within a reasonable range. The last 2 cars I bought, I show up with cash at hand, tell them what I want, what I want to pay, and spent the rest of the day working out a fair deal. I just bought my wife a car a few weeks back, and It was like pulling teeth. She wanted a new VW Jetta, so we go to the dealer with cash, test drive a few, find one she likes, and then make an offer. The guys goes "Nope!" and that was that. Not even the "let me talk to my boss" routine, or the "have you ever thought of leasing?" Just a big no, and let us walk out the door. Blew my mind.