I don't necessarily agree that you need to be able to pay cash for a car, but within reason. If you can't pay way more than the minimum payment, you can't afford it. Also, insurance exists for a reason!

I've got a small loan (~$14.8k originally) and I'm paying it off ASAP. After my 5 payments so far, it's down to $11k. I'm paying over double what the monthly payment is set at, with all the excess going to the principle. I expect to have it paid off in ~18 months from now, if not sooner.