Most credit unions consider "new" vehicles as anything within a certain number of model years - for example through December last year my CU that I have for my auto loan considered a new vehicle to be 2021 and newer - even when 2023 was coming out. Actually, even looking at older car loans, they have held interest rates across them at the same rate.

Definitely do NOT use dealer financing unless it's an amazing deal. Go to local credit union and get preapproved for an auto loan. Don't say anything about the financing while looking at a vehicle, just sort of say thinking about financing, etc.. Then negotiate the price of the vehicle and say you'd like to use your own financing.

The other poster did the math on it and you wouldn’t owe more than $10k on it via financing. Also, if you use a local credit union financing, you might be able to get 6-8%.

A big crash of the used market would still make it worth $12-14k used (instead of $20k).

There is almost no scenario where leasing makes more sense for this specific set of circumstances.

This answer helps clear up the concern about being under water on the financing in 3 years. Do you really think the market is going to tank so greatly that in 3 years a used Corolla similar to the one you have will be worth half what they currently are?

Listen, I’ve leased many a car (generally only where it was an insane deal and the buyout price was good) but what people are telling you is sound. Just finance the car and sell/trade in when you’re ready. Financing also gives you the flexibility to do it 2 or 4 years as well.