I cannot recommend Costco’s auto program [1] enough for a buyer with your profile. Dealers with whom Costco works have been vetted by the Costco machine. Prices are pre-arranged based on your zip code/location, and they have a live help number if you need to start with, “which car should I get”.
I know three people who have bought a car through that program and they have nothing but praise for the experience.
Then any car salesman will happily sell you the perfect car for you that just so happens to make him the most in commission.
If you don't know what you want, or don't know anything about the make and model you're buying, you will be taken advantage of.
It's perfectly fine to walk in to a dealership and look around, touch and squeeze and sit in all their cars to figure out what you like. Take one for a test drive, or five. Don't commit to anything.
Before buying a car, you should ideally have picked out a specific car from a dealer's lot, with the specific make, model, trim, and options you want. Price that specific car on kbb.com or trucar.com so you know the average price range for it. This is the only way of knowing if a specific car's price is "good" or not, because you cannot trust the dealer on this.
