First car? A calm guide for first-time buyers.
For new drivers, young adults buying on their own for the first time, and parents shopping for a son or daughter. Here is how to set a budget, choose well, and finance it without the guesswork.
- 4.6 stars from 134 Google reviews
- 4× voted best used car dealer by local readers
- 27+ years of Ben Mayfield buying and selling cars on the Gulf Coast
Your first car is a big deal.
It is freedom, a way to get to work, and for many people their first loan. It is fine to feel unsure about it.
A lot of first-time buyers tell us they were nervous about walking onto a car lot. Nobody here will talk down to you or rush you. Ask every question you have, bring a parent or a friend, and take the time you need.
Ben Mayfield has well over 27 years of experience buying and selling vehicles on the Gulf Coast. Most of the cars we sell are to repeat customers, and several of our reviewers bought their very first car here.
From budget to driveway, in four moves.
Do them in this order and the rest gets easier.
Budget
Decide what you can pay each month, then add insurance, fuel and upkeep. Our payment calculator helps.
Shop
Look for a reliable car with a clean history and good safety ratings, not the flashiest one.
Inspect
Read the free AutoCheck report, take a real test drive, and bring someone who knows cars if you can.
Drive
Line up insurance, sign the paperwork, and drive home in your first car.
New driver or worried parent.
If it is your own first car
Pick something reliable and boring before something fast. Midsize sedans and small SUVs with good safety ratings are usually cheaper to insure, too. A first loan, paid on time every month, starts building your credit.
If you are buying for your teen
Look up the model’s crash-test ratings from IIHS or NHTSA, and get an insurance quote with your teen on the policy before you buy. A parent can apply as a co-buyer on our credit application.
Financing with no credit history.
No credit is not the same as bad credit. It just means lenders have less to go on.
We offer several financing options for all credit needs and situations, including no credit. A steady job, a down payment and a co-buyer with established credit can all help, though no one can promise an approval in advance.
If your history has some bumps in it, read our guide to financing with bad or no credit.
What to bring
- Your driver’s license
- Proof of insurance, or your agent’s number
- Your down payment
- Proof of income, if you are financing
- Your co-buyer, if you have one
More detail on our what to bring page.
Title, tag and insurance.
The paperwork part, in plain English.
- In Alabama, you register the vehicle and get your tag at your county license office. Rules and fees vary, so check with your county license office before you go.
- You need insurance before you drive away. If you finance, the lender will usually require full coverage.
- Keep your bill of sale and the title or title paperwork somewhere safe.
- If you are under 18, a parent or guardian will usually need to be involved in the purchase and the loan.
First cars, in their words.
Word for word, from Google and Facebook.
Ben and Fred were so helpful helping me find and purchase my first car! I 10/10 recommend buying from Ben and Fred!!
The best experience with a car dealer ever! highly highly recommend! As a first time buyer, i told them what i was looking for and my price range and they made it happen! Very happy with my purchase!
Fred was great to deal with while buying a car for my daughter just before Christmas. The car had a few minor issues that he made sure were resolved to our satisfaction before the deal was finalized. I would 100% buy from again in the future.
First-time buyer questions.
Can I buy a car with no credit history?
Many first-time buyers do. We offer several financing options for all credit needs and situations, including no credit. Apply online and we will talk through what is possible.
Can my parent co-sign?
Our application has an optional co-buyer section, so a parent or another adult can apply with you. They share responsibility for the loan.
What is a good first car?
One that is reliable, safe and affordable to insure and fuel. A well-kept midsize sedan or small SUV with a clean history report is a common, sensible choice. We can help you narrow it down.
Can I bring someone to the test drive?
Please do. We work by appointment, so call 251-625-2131 to set a time that works for both of you.
How much should I spend?
Less than the most you could be approved for. Leave room for insurance, gas, tires and the unexpected. Try a few numbers in our payment calculator.
Ready for your first set of keys?
Browse the inventory or call 251-625-2131 with your questions. We will take it one step at a time.