Preparing Students for the Road Ahead at Level Up Day 2026

October 6th, 2026 | Winchester, Virginia: Buying a first vehicle can be exciting. It can also bring plenty of questions. Should you buy new or used? How does financing work? What should you look for before buying a used vehicle? And once you own one, how do you take care of it? Those were some of the real-world topics Marlow Auto Group helped John Handley High School seniors explore during Level Up Day 2026 Winchester. More than 200 students participated in Marlow’s sessions throughout the day at the Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center. Students rotated through in small groups, allowing the conversations to stay practical and giving them opportunities to ask questions along the way.

This marked the second consecutive year Marlow Auto Group participated in Level Up Day, an event designed to help seniors prepare for responsibilities they will face after high school. Ed Sullivan, Greg Strosnider, Michael Neumann, Kyle Dulapa, Riley Kennedy, and Hamed Safari represented Marlow Auto Group throughout the event.

Making Smarter Vehicle Decisions at Level Up Day 2026 Winchester

Each group began with about 15 minutes focused on the financial side of buying and owning a vehicle. Marlow team members discussed the pros and cons of buying new versus used, financing, interest rates, depreciation, insurance costs, and reliability. Students also learned what to look for when shopping for a used vehicle and how a CARFAX vehicle history report can provide important information about a vehicle’s past. The goal wasn’t to tell students what vehicle to buy. Instead, it was to help them understand the questions they should ask before making such a major financial decision.

“For a lot of these students, buying their first vehicle may be one of the biggest financial decisions they make after high school. We wanted to give them some basic knowledge about what to look for, what questions to ask, and what costs to think about before they buy. The more they understand going into that decision, the better prepared they’ll be.” — Kyle Dulapa, Sales Manager, Tri-State Nissan

 Learning the Basics of Taking Care of a Vehicle

After discussing how to make a smarter purchase, students moved outside for approximately 30 minutes of live vehicle-care demonstrations. Using a 2023 Nissan Altima and Marlow’s 2023 Nissan Frontier Mobile Service truck, the team demonstrated everyday skills that can help new drivers become more confident vehicle owners. Students learned about checking engine oil, changing a tire and replacing a headlight. The team also demonstrated how to jump-start a vehicle and discussed why keeping a maintenance log matters. The sessions connected the two sides of vehicle ownership. Choosing the right vehicle is important, but knowing how to maintain it is part of protecting that investment.

By the end of Level Up Day 2026 Winchester, more than 200 students had received practical information they can carry with them beyond high school. They may not be buying their first vehicle tomorrow. However, when that day comes, they’ll know a little more about what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to take care of it once the keys are in their hands.

To learn more about how Marlow Auto Group supports the local community:
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About The Marlow Auto Group

Marlow Auto Group has proudly served the Northern Shenandoah Valley for more than 75 years. Our story began in 1947 with a decision that set us apart. After World War II, cars were scarce, and buyers often waited months for delivery. Our founder, Guy Marlow, chose a different path. Instead of waiting, he opened a dealership to secure a car for his family and help others. That bold, people-first mindset remains at the heart of everything we do.

Over the decades, that decision grew into a regional family of dealerships. Today, Marlow Auto Group includes three dealerships serving communities throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley. They are Marlow Motor Company in Front Royal, Tri-State Nissan in Winchester, and Marlow Ford in Luray.

As a locally owned and woman-operated business, we continue to stay true to our five core values. Those values are Innovation, Integrity, Community, Relationships, and Exceeding Expectations. You’ll see those values in our customer service and our partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. Marlow Auto Group believes dealerships should do more than sell and service vehicles. They should solve problems, support their communities, and build relationships that last. At Marlow, doing things differently isn’t just how we started. It’s how we lead.