Buy a Car with Zero Down Payment

This strategy only works if you are purchasing a brand new car.  If so, many manufacturers offer substantial cash rebates worth several thousand dollars, especially during seasonal sales events.  If you don't have a down payment in hand, speak to your dealer about what kinds of rebates are currently being offered, as well as whether the value of these rebates can be easily transferred into a down payment on your new vehicle.

As you probably know, most dealerships work with outside lenders who approve or reject an applicant's credit.  Some of them allow rebates to act as down payment, some do not.  Your dealer, or the dealership's auto finance manager, should know his way around this question.