I know nothing about your circumstances neither do I wish to, that is your business, but your simplistic outlook on why someone may choose to take a loan, putting the OP to one side, is generalisation that paints everyone into the same box and is simplistic in the extreme. I don't intend to discuss my finances on a public forum, but suffice to say I have financed a number of cars, over many years, those of which in the last 10 years or so I could have purchased for cash had I so wished, but wanted to keep my cash liquid in case I needed it for other investments. The world of finance, at all levels is one of risk and it is how you limit or mitigate that risk which is the key. To say "finance = can't afford" is a massive generalisation and in mine and other poeples cases, whose circumstances may be different to yours of course, is wrong.
The OP is putting a deposit into the car which he may loose, but which should ensure he does not go into a negative equity situation should he need to get rid of the car, so he is mitigating his risk somewhat. I have clearly stated that as a pure investment decision it does not stack up but again you are putting your 'view' and your 'perspective' as FACT when it is simply your view and extremely risk adverse. Affording finance and being able to repay your debt or get out of your comitment without huge financial impact is very different to taking out finance on something where you do not have the facility to fund it. Finance in my case, and in many other peoples cases is simply a different way of funding, not me wishing to 'live the dream'.