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

J.D. Power and Associates recently released the results of their 2010 Initial Quality Study^SM, or IQS. As an industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality, the IQS revealed which makes and models fared best for 2010. As J.D. Power names its top 10 brands from the study, we’ve selected our favorite model from each brand on their list for a top 10 list of our own.

Here are our top 10 cars from the top 10 brands in the IQS:

10. Volvo
Our favorite 2010 Volvo is the C70. Ride in style in this so-cool convertible. Its comfy interior, combined with its sleek and sporty styling make it a great cruising vehicle (and we love the looks-good-up-or-down retractable hardtop).

9. Infiniti
The 2010 Infiniti G37 coupe is one impressive vehicle. The car’s interior with its impressive list of performance, technology, and safety features is just as elegant and chic as its stylish exterior.

8. Lincoln
Lincoln's commitment to quality shines through in vehicles like its 2010 MKT. This mid-size SUV boasts luxury with its many fancy features including the optional EcoBoost™ engine, voice-activated navigation system and panoramic fixed glass Vista Roof™.

7. Hyundai
Our pick is the 2010 Hyundai Genesis. The Genesis is an affordable upscale car that gives you many of the same lavish features that luxury car competitors offer, but at a much lower price.

6. Honda
The 2010 Honda Odyssey takes the cake for family-friendly vehicles. This spacious minivan is fully equipped with a long list of safety features – necessary for any family hauler - and has plenty of added comfort features to make the entire family’s time on the road enjoyable.

5. Ford
You'll find more than just reliability in the 2010 Edge from Ford. With awesome features like its panoramic Vista Roof™, SYNC^® technology and Top-Safety-Pick status, this gas-sipping crossover has “quality” written all over it.

4. Lexus
With quality being the name of the game, we had to choose this year’s ES 350 from Lexus. Undoubtedly one of the most comfortable cars in its class, the ES 350 makes driving easy, from the way it drives and handles to the simplicity of its interior features.

3. Mercedes-Benz
If luxury is what you want, then luxury is what you’ll get with our 2010 Mercedes-Benz pick, the E550 Sedan. Its elegant styling, lavish interior, exceptional performance and numerous innovative safety features make this car rise above any other in its class.

2. Acura
As the runner-up, Acura hits a homerun with the 2010 TSX. This good-looking and good-driving automobile has received superior safety ratings and offers scores of high-quality standard features, while remaining relatively affordable.

1. Porsche
Cruising into this year’s top spot is Porsche, and for 2010, our favorite is the 911 Turbo. Although expensive, in our opinion, this set of wheels is worth every penny. With a turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 500-hp, the 911 Turbo can reach a maximum speed of 194 mph and has the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. While this car sure can fly, it’s loaded with safety and technology features that, believe it or not, make it even better.  If you’re in the market for a high-performance luxury sports car, this one’s a no brainer.

Today, June 25, is Leon Day, which marks just six months until Christmas Day. (“Leon” is “Noel” spelled backward.) Since it’s not even July and some stores already have the school supply aisles stocked, we wondered if it might be OK to begin thinking about asking for a car for Christmas – or to begin thinking about buying a car as a gift for a loved one (or yourself)?

Here are five vehicles that you might want to put on your wish list*.

2011 Audi A3

The 2011 Audi A3 is a small station wagon that doesn’t lack for style or substance. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient car that’s not a hybrid, the A3’s FrontTrak Premium Plus trim with a 2.0-liter TDI engine and 6-speed S tronic transmission rates an EPA Greenhouse Gas Score of 8 and an estimated EPA fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 42 mpg highway. It also comes in one of the sharpest new car colors out there: Aruba Blue Pearl (pictured above).

2011 Ford Mustang

As we noted in our list of “Must-Have Motors for Dads,” the 2011 Ford Mustang gets a power boost over previous model years. The Mustang’s standard V6 has been upgraded to a 305-hp, 3.7-liter engine, while the Mustang GT now has a 412-hp, 5.0-liter V8. It’s also loaded with technology features, including electronic power assist steering, the SYNC^® in-car communications and entertainment system, and Ford’s MyKey^TM, which allows owners to assign specially coded keys for each additional driver to enforce specific driving restrictions.

See it now at a Ford Drive One Tour stop near you.

2011 Kia Sorento

If you’re looking for a crossover vehicle, the 2011 Kia Sorento CUV is loaded with standard features, from electronic stability control with traction control to hill assist control to the EcoMinder indicator that lets drivers know when their car is performing at maximum fuel-efficiency. Plus, it will be the first Kia vehicle to feature the Kia UVO in-car communications and entertainment system that is poised to rival the Ford SYNC^® system.

2011 Lincoln MKT

For those who want a luxury ride without sacrificing practicality and cargo space, the 2011 Lincoln MKT may be the right fit for you. Built on the Ford Flex platform, this full-size crossover SUV is available with room for seven passengers, built-in navigation system, SYNC^® in-car communications and entertainment system, MyKey^TM programmable keys, and Lincoln’s unique Vista Roof^TM that features fixed glass panels with power front and rear sunshades.

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid

If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient mid-size sedan, the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid is definitely a vehicle to check out. The Camry Hybrid pairs a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with a 40-hp electric motor to offer an estimated 31 miles per gallon (mpg) city and 35 mpg highway. Moreover, the ECO Button helps prioritize the hybrid system and the air conditioning for better fuel economy. To avoid being just a carbon copy of the conventionally powered Toyota Camry, the Camry Hybrid features a narrower grill and more open and sporty front valance.

* Most of these cars will be entering dealer showrooms later this calendar year. However, you can already view pictures, watch test-drive videos, and learn more about the technical details and features of each of these cars from our Car Research section. Each description above is hyperlinked to go directly to the Research page for that vehicle.

Related Stories:

• Safety Technology in New Cars
• Car Buying: A Haggling How-To
• Six Reasons to Buy from a Dealer