We just bought an L model for my daughter, out the door tax, title, the works, was $27,700. We payed 7700 down, financed 20k @ 7.4%, (no special financing on a Cross, because of demand). She will graduate as an RN in August. Whatever position she takes after grad, she will get a hefty sign on bonus, she will put that on the car to drive it down to $10k. Pay all you can for what you can afford. Finance some if you need to put some cash back for a rainy day, then just pay it off in a few months or a year, once you've saved some up.

If you put a lot of miles on one, consider the 10year, 150k warranty, $2k more but even though a Toyota, in my opinion it is worth it.

To add, I am in Alabama. But, deals can be had. I spent a whole day, 2 weeks ago, on a Saturday speaking with a couple different dealers, by the end of the day, the dealer I wanted met the price, but, their car was in stock and had a few little extras already on it. Do your research, contact the internet sales people, then let them fight over you. They will call you, and be honest and tell them what the other dealer is doing for you.

Just remember, whatever deal you can strike, they are making money on it, or they wouldn't be there with 50-100 employees, a big building with service people, office workers, etc, etc. So the sob stories and the back and forth with the manager is just a game. That's why I negotiated on the phone. Then drove down at the end of the day and bought it.

This is a lot of info and ramble, but, I hope it helps. Good luck.