How to choose between two cars within budget

What people tried

Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.

1. 1
   Buying a used car entirely in cash to avoid a car payment
2. 2
   Limiting the loan term or paying off the vehicle rapidly within months
3. 3
   Purchasing a cheaper reliable car for around 25000 dollars instead of a luxury tier
4. 4
   Looking for a better car instead of buying either option
5. 5
   Trying to negotiate the price down by at least $300

In their words

Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.