DOVER — Christmas came early this year for the Hancock family, who now have a 2011 Hyundai Sonata to get them around Dover thanks to More Than Wheels, a non-profit organization that helps people get the best deal on cars and the loans needed to finance them.

“This whole experience has been amazing,” said Brandy Hancock. She no longer needs to walk her kids to school in the snow or call a cab to get to the grocery store. “This program has changed our lives around.”

More Than Wheels is a statewide organization with a main office in Manchester, as well as offices in Keene, Lebanon, Concord and Portsmouth, in addition to Boston, Mass. The organization has helped more than 1,500 New Hampshire residents get the best deal on the biggest and most important purchase people make after a home — a car. The program's specialty is helping people who have less-than-stellar credit find low-interest loans by teaching them the basics of family budgets. More Than Wheels' team of car experts also helps people who have flawless credit histories negotiate the fairest and lowest price at car dealerships.

“I never expected anything like this,” said Hancock, who still seems to have a hard time believing that she and her husband, Randy, own the car in her driveway.“The whole program has made me more confident about everything.”

Like a lot of people, the Hancocks had some old medical bills that had crippled their credit. Although they both had jobs and earned more than enough to make monthly car payments, banks didn't want to talk to them.

For a couple of years, the Hancocks did what a lot families in their position often do. Every year when their tax return came in the mail, they would buy a clunker at a used car lot and cross their fingers that it would last until the following year's tax return arrived.

Last year, they paid a few thousand dollars for a car that didn't make it until summer before it needed major repairs. Around that time, Hancock heard about More Than Wheels from a friend and made the call.

More Than Wheels was founded a decade ago by Robert Chambers and Leo Hamill, two car salesmen who were working together at a dealership in Claremont. Chambers was troubled by some of the industry's predatory loan practices and worried about car buyers who were being saddled with huge debts that would long outlive the cars they were buying.

The breaking point came when Chambers saw two co-workers high-five one another after arranging a five-year loan with a sky-high interest rate for a single mother who desperately needed transportation. Chambers knew the car had about two years to go before it would be ready for the junk yard.

Chambers and Hamill saw a dependable car as a basic necessity for working families who needed to get to jobs, schools and doctor's appointments. And they created a program that put vehicles in reach for people who were willing to make some changes.

The Hancocks first had to qualify for the program, which meant they both needed jobs. Next, they both attended a six-week “financial fitness” program that taught them how to look at their income and expenses to see where and how they could save some money. They also worked individually with a credit counselor.

Hancock said it was hard at first to break old routines, but as she saw how much money she could save it became easier.

The next step for the couple was to prove they were dependable with loan payments. More Than Wheels has a fleet of donated vehicles that the organization calls bridge cars.

For about six months, the Hancocks paid $300 a month to rent a bridge car. It was a little old, and a little noisy, but it allowed the couple to build a history of payments.

“We really are about financial education and giving people the tools they need to build credit,” said Sue Chadwick, a spokeswoman for More than Wheels. “It takes some time to build credit and about a second to tank it.”

More Than Wheels works with several credit unions and banks to arrange low-interest financing for people in the program.

“Our lenders know our clients have gone through the classes,” said Chadwick. “They are more interested in their behavior changes than their credit histories.”

More than Wheels also works with several car dealerships that are on board with the program's mission to find the best-priced vehicles.

The Hancocks paid a $68 fee to enroll in the program and an $895 fee for help negotiating the loan and choosing the right car. The fee, which is rolled into the loan for the vehicle, keeps More than Wheels up and running.

For people who don't need any help with credit repair, More than Wheels has a “Supporter” program. For the same $895 fee, which is rolled into a car loan, More than Wheels will find whatever type of car clients want for the lowest price and the best terms. They also negotiate the best warranty.

For people who don't know much about cars or haggling, the service takes all the uncertainty out of buying a new car.

“We see people of all ages and all walks of life who need help with credit or would like help buying a car,” said Chadwick.

More Than Wheels might see even more people now that Hancock has transportation.

“I just want to ride around, and I want to tell everyone about this program,” she said. “It's been such a blessing for us.”

For more information about More than Wheels, go to www.MoreThanWheels.org or call toll-free 866-455-2522.