Sometimes it’s not the decision that it’s time to buy a new car that’s so difficult. Instead, it’s deciding what to do with the car you’re currently driving.

If you’re ready to move into a new car, but don’t know what to do with your old one, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Is your car older, but you still want to get something out of it? You might consider donating the car for a tax benefit.
• Are you set on a price you must get for the car before you can part with it? You may want to try selling the vehicle yourself.
• Do you want to quickly and easily move from your current car to a new car without the headaches of readying your car for sale on your own? Trading in your car at the dealership may be the best option for you.

For more information on each of these options, read our article:
What to Do with Your Used Car.

Shop for a New Car | Shop for a Pre-Owned Vehicle | Find a Car Dealer

CarLocate.com Marks 100th Blog Entry of 2010 with
Tips for Summer Car Maintenance 

Whether you plan to head out for a summer road trip on Route 66 or to take your own in-town staycation, you’ll want to make your car ready for summer driving conditions.

Here are a few tips on what to do to make your car ready for summer:

• Check all your fluid levels.
• Good spark plugs and a clean air filter add up to better gas mileage. Change them according the manufacturer’s schedule for your car.
• Check your tires for wear and alignment. Tires should have equal pressure. These little steps will help you stop quickly without sliding in emergency situations. They will also give you better gas mileage.
• Get your brakes checked. The time spent getting them inspected may save your life later!
• Check your cooling system. Make certain your radiator isn't clogged, and all the hoses and belts in your engine are working properly.
• Be prepared for trouble with a good spare tire, tire changing tools, an extra bottle of water for your radiator, and a flashlight.
• After a rest stop and at the beginning of each travel day, always walk around your vehicle and check for anything unusual before you resume your trip.

Happy and safe travels from CarLocate.com!

Source: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/

100 Blog Posts – This Calls for a Giveaway!

This post marks 100 blog entries on CarLocate.com in 2010. To celebrate, we’re giving away a few of our super-soft, organic cotton “Life is Green” / CarLocate.com t-shirts.

To enter, follow @Carlocate on Twitter and re-tweet the phrase: “I’m shopping smart for my next car on CarLocate.com!”

On Friday afternoon (6/18), we’ll pick a few lucky folks at random to receive the shirts.

Good luck!

View T-shirt and Contest Rules

Negotiating – or haggling – for a better price is part of the fun (and, more often than not, the anguish) of buying a car.

While you may see a “sticker price” on a car at a dealership and all cars have a certain “valued” price – like MSRP for a new car or Kelley Blue Book value for a used car – there is, in fact, no real price of a car.

And that’s where being a good negotiator can help you get the “best” or “most fair” price on a car. Read our “Haggling 101” guide to help you be a better negotiator and get the deal you want on your next new or used car.

Smart shopping!