First time at a dealership? First car? Maybe you’re a little nervous? We get it. At Mullinax Ford, we love helping first-time buyers find the vehicle that’s right for them. We come to work every day eager to answer questions, explain all the latest tech advances and smooth our customers’ way through the buying process. Here are five tips to help first-timers understand what happens at the dealership – and how our team can work with you to get you behind the wheel of the vehicle you want.

Think about your specific needs, including where you drive, passenger space, cargo space, and local weather. Consider your budget and the overall cost of ownership, including monthly payments, insurance, maintenance and repairs, gas or electric charging, and parking fees. Check out sources like FuelEconomy.gov for fuel economy ratings, Consumer Reports, Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds for reviews and reliability ratings, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for safety ratings.

Most people finance their vehicles, especially for their first purchase. Understand your credit score, get a free copy of the report, and address any errors before seeking financing. To better your chances of securing loan approval, provide proof of a steady job and income, save for a larger down payment, and ask someone with good credit to co-sign the loan. Our team of financial experts works hard to get you the best loan solution for your situation through Ford Credit and other top lenders.

After identifying potential new vehicles, schedule a test drive. Take your time and drive more than one or two vehicles to determine which one is right for you. Consider the seat position, location of controls, position of the steering wheel, and other variables. Pay attention to how the vehicle feels on the road and try to simulate everyday driving conditions. Check out the sound system, get in and out of the car several times, sit in the back seat, and check the cargo space. Bring car seats to test fit and ease of installation if you have kids.

At Mullinax Ford, you can skip the negotiation step. We never haggle, and our Up Front™ Pricing puts the price right on the sticker. Everyone sees the same number and gets the same buying opportunity. We never charge dealer fees, which saves our buyers thousands compared to the competition. The numbers are the same online as they are on the lot.

Be careful on your first ride in your new vehicle. Use your turn signals and obey all traffic rules. Don’t get too close to any other vehicles. When you get home, park it where everyone can rush over to admire it. Wait until people leave to wipe off the fingerprints though.