OT: Paying cash for a new car, tips?

[NHAero]

I bought my 2020 Honda Fit 2 years ago at the height of the pandemic car inflation. It was CPO with 5,000 miles from a good dealer. Set up the price over the phone, and a range for trading in the '08 Fit. The trade was closer to the lower than upper of the range but I expected that given the car's age and condition. Then I walked into the office where they do the paperwork and handed the woman a bit over $20,000 in hundreds. Her eyes grew big but she counted it out.

I live on an island and I asked the branch manager about bringing a bank check for 95% of the price, and what I'd do if the deal fell through. She said, a lot of people just bring cash! So I did.