You’re in the market for a new vehicle, but you’ve got one little problem: what to do with your current car? Well, the CarLocate Team has some tips to help you prepare it for sale:

First, you want your car to be in the best shape possible before trading it in at your local dealership or advertising that it’s for sale. Giving your car a good detail will enhance the looks of your car. You should wash and wax the outside of your car along with shining up the tires and wheels. Be sure to vacuum so it’s free of debris. You also might want to take it a step further and shampoo the carpet. Replacing the floor mats also is an easy and cheap improvement to the interior of your car. And as a finishing touch, add an air freshener so the car now smells as good as it looks.

Second, you should consider some minor maintenance to lessen the chances of an issue during a test drive. In a private sale, you might only have one meeting with a buyer so don’t risk losing the sale over something that could have been easily avoided. Be sure to change your oil, check the tire pressure, and always have gas, wiper fluid, and the correct amount of coolant. Check all of the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and high beams, as well.

Finally, if you don’t go the trade-in route, you’ll need to advertise that your car is for sale publicly and possibly online. Begin by taking pictures, being sure to get interior and exterior shots from different angles. There are plenty of used cars for sale, so the more you can show off your car’s good side the better. “For Sale” signs are very inexpensive and can go a long way. You never know who you might drive by so post the asking price and your phone number large enough for others to see. You could also include the make, model, and year. The more details you can provide about the car, the better.

Once your car is ready for sale, be sure to visit CarLocate.com to find a dealership near you and search for a car to buy.

The 2012 J.D. Power & Associates Dependability Study is based on reviews and ratings of 2009 models. Despite 2009 being one of the toughest years for the automotive industry 2012 has turned historically high levels of vehicle dependability.

The Dependability Study measures problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old (2009 model-year) vehicles.  Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

25 of 32 brands have improved in dependability from 2011; domestic nameplates have improved in 2012 at a slightly faster rate than imports, narrowing the dependability gap seen in 2011.

“Despite facing immense challenges in 2009, automakers placed a keen focus on delivering outstanding levels of quality, which they understood should be essential to their long-term success,” said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. “Three years later, owners of these models are enjoying unprecedented levels of vehicle dependability and manufacturers for experiencing market recovery.”

Some highlights from this year’s study results:

- Lexus ranks highest in vehicle dependability; in fact the Lexus LS has the fewest problems in the industry

- Rounding out the five highest-ranking nameplates are Porsche, Cadillac, Toyota, and Scion.  MINI and Scion post the greatest year-over-year improvements from 2011 to 2012.

- Toyota Motor Corporation earned 8 segment awards – more than any other automaker in 2012

The Vehicle Dependability Study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help design and build better vehicles – which typically translate to higher resale values and higher customer loyalty.  It also helps consumers make more-informed choices for both new- and used-vehicle purchases.

For a complete list of how all automakers fared check out J.D. Power and Associates online.

Week 11

Best Car to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse – ’88 Toyota Pickup

As many predictions of the end of the world are floating around, one has to think, “what do I need to do to prepare myself!?” Not only do you need the essentials such as food and shelter, you will also need transportation, unless of course you live in a Piggly Wiggly. Here at CarLocate, for weeks we have showed some of the runner-ups of the best vehicles to survive the worst and this week we have finally revealed the best pick for surviving the worst. “What is the worst” you might ask? Zombies.

“Zombies!?” you say!?   Yes, zombies! It could happen! You always thought that your boss, old gym teacher, or annoying neighbor were the worst to deal with!? Just imagine if they could no longer pair two words together, never slept, had zero concern for your privacy, completely disrespected your time and oh yes… were on a constant mission to eat your flesh!

While you might doubt that this could happen, it is always better to be safe than sorry so we recommend you continue reading. If you currently own one of our top picks, you are in luck! If not… you’d better start looking! If you own one of our worst picks, either trade that sucker in or lather yourself up in butter and stock up on seasoning… you are about to become a zombie midnight snack!

For our top pick, we have selected a 1988 Toyota V6 Crewcab SR5 Pickup! For video back-up, you can see the punishment that the team at TopGear put the European version of this truck through.  In the first part, they run it into a tree, down stairs, into the ocean, and even light it on fire while starting it right up after using only a few minor tools! In the second part, as if hitting it with a wrecking ball wasn’t enough, they place it atop a tall building just before they demolish it. Did it survive!? Check out part three and name one zombie that you have met that could cause more carnage.

Durability aside, this truck has four wheel drive that will take you virtually anywhere. It can comfortably haul plenty of gear as well as another passenger. Zombies getting in your way on the main roads? A full grown tree didn’t stop this thing! With an independent front suspension and large tires to boot, you won’t even notice the bone crushing trips to refuel your 13 gallon tank. The engine doesn’t have the highest output but zombies aren’t too fast and lack the dexterity to drive anything themselves, so you are safe.

Safety concerns are totally different when it comes to zombies. Airbags would blow on the first impact with the living undead and would then merely be in your way. You want safety? Here is what you need to consider. Ground clearance, check. Minimal number of doors to avoid having zombies sneak in the extra doors, check. Hauling capabilities, it is a pickup, check. And finally, durability… yea, pretty sure we covered that one.

If you haven’t checked out at least the first video yet, do so, then tell us what you would feel better putting your trust in! No “stuck accelerators” here!