[kaisen]

Really late to this party, as the horse is dead, but.....

It's unfortunate that the car business works this way. But the process involves both buyers and sellers. BOTH are to blame/credit for how the transaction is handled. Salespeople act the way they do because 'buyers' (like the OP) act the way they do. The lies go both ways. I've seen two decades worth. "When their lips are moving, they're lying". Doesn't matter which party we're discussing.

In this case I only have one thing to add:

When getting quotes on a new car, expect that those quotes include all applicable rebates or incentives that anyone can qualify for. The dealership should not quote special rebates given to special groups, or even owner loyalties without also stating the price before those considerations have been applied. In many states, this is law. It is Better Business Bureau guideline as well. In other words, if there was a $2000 rebate OR 0% financing (which is often the case), the quotes you would receive would include the $2000 rebate. Some dealers will state "after all applicable rebates" or something similar. But even if they do/did not, it is reasonable to assume that they did. That's the law.

Think of it this way: If you owned a business that were submitting quotes, wouldn't you want your quote to be the lowest number? If one dealer quoted before rebate and another dealer quoted after rebate and that dealer was $2000 less, you'd go with that dealer. As a dealer, you'd be an idiot not to. Because EVERYONE will get the rebate, and NOT EVERYONE will qualify for 0% financing. Understand?

So when you go in, you may CHOOSE 0% financing IN LIEU OF the $2000 rebate. Fine, make a good financial decison based on that fact. But don't assume you'll get BOTH, and be mad at the dealer when you can't. It's NOT their money. You are choosing HOW to use the manufacturer's incentives. Sometimes there are many choices, like rebate, smaller rebate with low APR, No rebate but even lower APR, or subvened lease program. You choose.

Again, all dealers will quote the lowest price applying those choices. It would be business suicide not to.