You'll definitely compare stats, weapon loadouts, prices and looks between various ship selections across multiple factions. And it's a vastly enjoyable experience. I guess it's like choosing a new car IRL, not that I know the feeling, since I've never owned a car before. I've give you an example of comparison of ship stats, in this case battleship stats:

http://roguey.co.uk/x3ap/ships/class-M2/

Other than that, you can go in blind if you want to, just learn how to do autopiloting and auto-docking. Then the typical buy-low-sell-high strategy. Tip: Trade energy cells at the beginning of the game. Get a TS (freight cargo transporter) once you can afford it etc. Once you have a hook of the gameplay, you might want to learn more advanced techniques like setting up your first factory and complexes, setting up CAGs and CLS, mining, boarding etc.

You can always ask around here if you want to, think most of us here should be able to answer your qns.