Military SUV Buying Guide: Eglin, Hurlburt & Tyndall Service Members

We’ve helped hundreds of military families from Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, Tyndall AFB, and across the Emerald Coast find reliable SUVs without the typical dealership runaround. Here’s exactly how we do it and how you can prepare to make your visit as efficient as possible.

What Makes Our Process Different

When you work with us, you’re not just another sale. We understand military life because we’re part of the same community. Here’s what that means for you:

Transparent Military Pricing — We provide clear, documented military pricing with no hidden fees. Everything is spelled out in writing before you sign anything.

Flexible Financing Options — We work directly with military credit unions like Navy Federal, USAA, and PenFed. If you’ve already been pre-approved, great — we’ll work with your lender. If not, we’ll help you explore your options.

Streamlined Documentation — We understand POA requirements, deployment situations, and PCS timelines. Our team knows how to handle the paperwork efficiently without unnecessary back-and-forth.

Quality Pre-Inspected Inventory — Every vehicle in our inventory goes through a thorough inspection. We check for recalls, run vehicle history reports, and address any issues before the vehicle hits our lot.

The key to completing everything in one visit is preparation. Here’s what we recommend you gather in the 2-3 days before your appointment:

Essential Documents

Bring these with you (physical copies or digital — we accept both):

Financial Preparation

Getting pre-approved through your military credit union before you visit gives you leverage and speeds up the process. Most of our service member customers work with:

• Navy Federal Credit Union
• USAA
• Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed)
• Armed Forces Bank

If you haven’t been pre-approved yet, no problem. We work with several lenders and can help you explore financing options when you arrive. For a deeper dive into the financing process, check out our Used SUV Financing Guide.

Research Your Vehicle Options

Take some time to think about what you really need:

For Families:

• How many seats do you need? (Consider car seats and future family growth)
• How much cargo space? (Think PCS moves and everyday hauling)
• Do you need AWD or 4WD for your next assignment?

If you have young children, our Used SUV Safety Checklist for New Parents covers the key safety features to look for.

For Reliability:

• Would you prefer a newer model with an active warranty, or an older model with lower payments?
• What’s your comfort level with maintenance?

For Budget:

• What monthly payment fits comfortably in your budget?
• How much can you put down?
• Are you trading in a current vehicle?

Here’s how a typical single-visit purchase works at our dealership. Most service members complete everything in 4-6 hours, but we’ll work with whatever timeline you have.

When you arrive, you’ll work with one dedicated sales advisor throughout the entire process. No hand-offs, no confusion.

We’ll start by:

• Reviewing the documents you brought
• Discussing the vehicles you’re interested in
• Understanding your timeline and any special circumstances (deployment, PCS date, etc.)
• Explaining our military pricing and current offers

We’ll walk through each vehicle you’re interested in. Take your time — this is your chance to really evaluate whether the SUV meets your needs.

During the walkaround, we’ll show you:

• Complete vehicle history report (we pull CARFAX on every vehicle)
• Any previous repairs or maintenance we’ve completed
• Current tire condition and brake status
• All features and how they work
• Any cosmetic issues or wear (we’re upfront about everything)
• Open recall status (you can also verify at NHTSA.gov)

During the test drive, pay attention to:

• How it handles acceleration and braking
• Whether the ride is comfortable for your family
• If there’s enough visibility and space
• How the AWD/4WD system engages (if applicable)
• Any unusual noises or vibrations

If something doesn’t feel right, say so. We’d rather you walk away confident than drive off with concerns.

Once you’ve found the right vehicle, we’ll sit down and go over numbers — clearly and transparently.

We’ll provide you with:

• The vehicle’s price
• Your military discount (as a separate line item)
• Any manufacturer rebates or incentives you qualify for
• Estimated trade-in value (if applicable)
• Tax, title, and registration fees
• Out-the-door total price

Questions you should ask us (and we’ll answer honestly):

• “What manufacturer military rebates does this vehicle qualify for?”
• “Are there any additional dealer rebates I can stack with the military discount?”
• “What’s included in your documentation fee?”
• “If I use my credit union financing, does that change anything?”
• “Can I get this pricing in writing before we move forward?”

If you brought pre-approval from your credit union, we’ll work directly with them to finalize the loan. If you’re financing through us or want to compare options, we’ll help you evaluate:

• Interest rates and terms
• Monthly payment options
• GAP insurance (we’ll explain what it is and whether you need it)
• Extended warranty options (optional, never required)

This is where everything gets finalized. We know paperwork isn’t exciting, but it’s important.

Take your time reading:

• Sales contract (verify VIN, price, trade-in value)
• Financing agreement (verify APR, term length, monthly payment)
• Warranty information (what’s covered and for how long)
• Any additional product agreements (GAP, extended warranty, etc.)

If you’re using Power of Attorney, bring the POA documents with you. We’ll review them to ensure they have the proper language for vehicle purchase and title transfer.

We’ll handle most of the registration process for you, but here’s what you need to know:

For Florida residents: We’ll process your registration and you’ll receive your permanent plate by mail.

For out-of-state service members: We’ll provide you with a temporary tag and give you the documentation you need for registration in your home state. If you’re in the military, Florida law allows you to maintain your home state registration even while stationed here. Learn more at Florida DMV Military Services.

Insurance: You’ll need proof of insurance before driving off. If you haven’t arranged it yet, we can give you time to call your insurance company and get coverage bound while you’re here.

Before you drive away, we’ll do a final vehicle walkthrough:

• Review all features one more time
• Show you where the spare tire and jack are located
• Explain warranty activation
• Program your phone to the vehicle (if applicable)
• Make sure you have all keys and fobs
• Provide you with our service department contact information

First 24 Hours

Register on base immediately. Get your vehicle registered with your base pass and decal office to avoid any access issues.

Photograph your vehicle thoroughly. Take pictures of the exterior, interior, and odometer reading. Store these with your purchase documents.

Confirm your insurance is active. Make sure you have proof of coverage in the vehicle.

Save digital copies of all documents. Email them to yourself and store them in a secure location (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). If you’re deploying, leave copies with a trusted family member or friend.

First Week

Test all systems again. Spend time learning all the features and make sure everything works as expected. If you notice anything unusual, contact us immediately. Don’t wait.

Verify warranty registration. Check that your warranty has been activated with the manufacturer. We submit this information, but it’s good to confirm.

Connect with our service department. Introduce yourself if you plan to use us for maintenance. Let them know you’re military and share any upcoming deployment or PCS timeline so they can prioritize scheduling.

Before Deployment or PCS

If you’re deploying:

• Ask us about any payment deferment options available through your lender
• Arrange for vehicle storage if needed
• Consider whether you need to adjust your insurance coverage
• Make sure someone has copies of your paperwork and keys

If you’re PCS’ing:

• We can help coordinate vehicle shipping if needed
• Ensure your title and registration documents are in order
• Transfer your warranty and service records to your new location
• Update your address with your lender and insurance company

Common Questions from Service Members

One Final Thought

We’re not here to play games or waste your time. We’re here to serve the men and women who serve our country, many of whom are our neighbors, friends, and family members right here on the Emerald Coast.

When you’re ready, we’re ready. Let’s get you taken care of.

— The Team at Destin Autos

Destin Autos is independently owned and operated. We are not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military. Military pricing and discounts are subject to availability and may vary by vehicle. All vehicles sold as-is unless otherwise noted. See dealership for complete details.