Car shopping

We looked at a few cars at car lots yesterday. The "buy here, pay here" places have pretty high prices! Yes, I'm making more money now but I don't want to spend ALL the surplus on a car payment, so the search isn't over yet.

I don't even know that I can scrounge up a down payment for one, but I have to try. The van, the way it's running, really worries me. I'm afraid it's on its last legs now. Honestly, I'd rather pay cash if I could but I don't see that happening either right now if I expect to get a car that I can trust. I'm really hoping for a small pickup truck, but I'll take a good small car if I can get it.