My mechanic, who is really honest and likeable...told me if I ever wanted to trade, he gave me 2 places to do so....said they were Honest and would work with you...
Feel "word of mouth" does get around for good places to buy a car, new or used...now-a-days it's usually $2,000 down, even for used cars.....(at least in my City)....
My son got a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe several months ago for $1500.00....private owner tho'....otherwise it most likely would have been $3,000 at a car lot. No problems at all....he was just lucky.