> For long stretches of time most manufacturers were offering 0% financing.

On a higher price. If you took a discount that could not be combined with the 0 percent financing, and financed using traditional financing options, you ended up paying less money.

It's kind of fun (yet horrifying) to watch how well 0% financing works with consumers, even when it's clear that you'll get a lower price without it.

Sure, the manufacturer was. This doesn't require a dealer.