Car buyers love to speculate on which days will be the best to buy a new car; some think you’ll get a better deal on a rainy day or by walking into the dealership 10 minutes before they close – but studies have shown that neither of these myths is true.  There is however one time you will hear is best to get a great deal and this one is almost always true; shopping for a car on the last day of the month.

The end of the month is always a good time to buy because dealers are eager to reach monthly quotas they’ve been given by the manufacturer.  Manufacturers will tell dealers they will give them $500 dollars if they sell 20 Accord models for example; which can translate into big bonuses for the dealer. This means if the dealer has sold 18 models by the last day of the month they will push harder to sell those last two models the last day and be willing to negotiate meaning you can walk away with a great deal.

December 31st will be the best day of the month to buy a new car with an average 9.3% discount off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Right now 2011 models are heavily discounted at dealerships as they work hard to get them off their lots and make room for incoming 2012 models.

“December is going to be the best month of 2011 to buy a car with manufacturers offering attractive year-end incentives and dealers motivated to move inventory to get their sales objectives,” said Jesse Toprak, VP of Industry Trends and Insights for TrueCar.com.

So this New Year’s Eve make sure to check out your local car dealer and see what sort of deals they might be offering or shop CarLocate.com to find the perfect vehicle for you and your family.

Happy New Year!

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As the winter stretches out in front of us it’s a good idea to check your winter car emergency kit and make sure it’s well stocked in case any winter car emergency comes your way.

We here at CarLocate.com have put together a list of the must haves for your winter car emergency kit.

- Blankets and warm clothing – such as parkas, long underwear, heavy socks, and mittens
- A source of heat- such as candles; make sure to pack a pack of matches as some lighters do not work in extreme cold
- A radio and flashlight with extra batteries
- Water and a metal container that will work to melt ice or snow to be used for drinking water
- Food – something that won’t spoil such as nuts, candy bars, dehydrated fruit, and jerky
- Something to read to keep you awake
- Bright red or orange cloth or flares or reflective triangle and whistle to signal help
- A fully charged cell phone

In case of an emergency and you are stranded there are few tips to keep in mind:

- Stay with your vehicle and run the engine sparingly – start with 15 minutes every hour and adjust as needed
- Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow
- Keep your feet off the floor if the heater is not on
- NEVER go to sleep with engine running
- Position car so it faces into the wind
- Tie a color banner on the car antenna.  If you need to leave the car for any distance tie a rope to the car and yourself so you will be able to find your way back to the car
- Move all your emergency supplies from the trunk to the interior of the car as soon as you realize you will be staying for awhile.  Put on warm clothing before you get too cold, it is easier to stay warm then it is to regain lost warmth.

Hatfield and the Ford Mustang and McCoy and the Chevrolet Camaro

This past weekend, CarLocate.com got the honor of sitting down with William “Devil Anse” Hatfield and Randolph “Ol’ Randell” McCoy to talk cars. Naturally, agreement and courtesy were rarer than unicorn’s blood.

CarLocate: William Hatfield and Randolph McCoy, welcome to PFPR. It’s really a pleasure to have you both sitting in one room without trying to kill each other.

Hatfield: Yessir, I reckon if thurs one thang that me an’ that swine can sit down and talk about it’s cars.

McCoy: Sure, we McCoys love aut-o-mo-beels. Ol’ Hatfield over thur wouldn’t know a good set o’ tires though if it done run over his toe.

Hatfield: Take it back, McCoy!

McCoy: I will not.

CarLocate: Alright, gentleman, that’s enough. Let’s keep this civil and talk about something that I know we all can agree on. William, why don’t you tell me a little bit about your present vehicle.

Hatfield: Well, I drive a 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and it’s my pride an’ joy. ‘For the rooster crows, I’m already out thur, shynin’ it an’ carin’ for it. An she’s plenty quick wit’ that ol’ 444 horsepower V8. Quick enough to whip a McCoy I’d bet. Boy I think that grilles as purdy as pumpkin pie.

CarLocate: The “Boss” 302 is quite a car, Mr. Hatfield. And what is your ride of choice Randolph? Another Mustang?

McCoy: I wouldn’t be caught dead sittin’ in that pile of horse manoor you call a car. For a more upper class family, like the McCoys, we prefer to drive the Chevrolet Camaro SS. Nothin’ looks nicer or drives better than a Camaro an’ let me tell you I get 29 my-uls to the gallon. Camaro would beat the pants off a ‘Stang any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Hatfield: A Camaro SS? What does the SS stand for? Slow and Sloppy? Just like the whole McCoy family.

McCoy: Sloppy? You wanna see sloppy check out a Hatfield family re-yune-yun. SS stands for ‘Specially Speedy. Listen, you ol’ sandbag I’m ill as a hornet right now an’ fixin’ to give you what you deserve. 

Hatfield: The McCoys an’ thur cars call all rot in West Vurginyah. Hatfields are the most loyalist, proudest, an most of all best drivin’ families south of the Mason-Dixon.

McCoy: My sister Betsy drives betteran you with her eyes closed. I challenge you Hatfields to a drag race down by Boon’s swamp. Fastest car wins.

Hatfield: I accept your challenge even though it comes from a rat and a coward. Your momma is so…..

CarLocate: Alright, alright, let’s not bring mothers into it. Well, I guess that about wraps up this edition of PFPR. Hatfield and McCoy, thanks for joining us and let’s keep the musket-play to a minimum this weekend.

Background Information:

The Hafields and McCoys are two American families whose brutal feud has become part of legend. Some say that the rivalry began and descended from Ephraim Hatfield and William McCoy but sources are unsure as to the exact reason for dispute. Unfortunately, the feud was often steeped in violence and many people were killed due to the fierce hatred. The Hatfields and McCoys lived along the West Virginia and Kentucky back-country and were led by William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield and Randolph "Ol' Randell" McCoy respectively.
 
*Disclaimer: These interviews are for entertainment purposes only and are not based on the actual opinions of the interviewees.