My insurance check from previously totaled auto arrived and I was told it would post to my Morgan Stanley account in 48 hours. Wrong. I spoke with someone else who said they hold it for 10 working days. So technically, the funds will be available around June 8th. I want to buy a car this weekend. I can write a check for a substantial amount now, something like a “good faith gesture” 
. But would they let me take the car that day? This is the same dealer that I bought my totaled Subaru from, in 2002. I walk in, show interest, haggle down to the invoice price plus a nice bonus for the salesman, what’s not to love? I do not want to finance any part of the cost. I’m driving a rental car, a Kia Rio, and it gets me around town but leaves something to be desired.
I think I already know the answer. Go ahead, mock me if you must. I still have some faith in humanity, which I think includes car dealerships.
I guess you could complete a purchase finance agreement then pay it off when you money becomes availible, but I doubt you can get a same as cash price. I doubt they will just trust you on the balance. Have you got some kind of colateral? Also if you have a relationship with the dealer you may have better luck. I know my wifes grandfather use to just walk into the local dealership and walk out with a new car about once a month. They just sent the bill to the bank and they took care of it for him. (life is much simpler for old money back east)
You’ll have to finance it, but with a right to cancel the financing within x number of days. I’m not sure if there’s s limit on how many days they can give you, but if it means the difference between making a sale or not, I’ll bet they’ll be as flexible as they can!
I did that once (not because I had the money coming, but wanted to use non-dealer financing that hadn’t come through yet) and it worked just fine, but I think the time limit was only 5 days.
Make it simple for yourself. Negotiate your best price. Put money down for whatever amount. Bonus the salesman if you insist. Arrange for financing for the amount remaining. Make sure the contract doesn’t contain early repayment penalties. When your insurance cheque clears, walk in and pay the balance. No finance charges paid, no harm, no foul. Done.