Community for Car Nerds

Several websites like Cars.com and Edmunds.com focus on providing you with the information you need before making your
purchase. A new San Francisco-based startup, Driverside.com, claims it will provide tips long after you've left the lot. The backers of DriverSide.com think that the next time you buy a new car, you're going to want to maintain it and hold on to it as long as possible. Fair enough, given the fact that in this economy, you're lucky to get a new car at all!

The site is still in its Beta stage and certain features still lack user-generated content, but there's already some useful information posted including used car listings you can browse according to make model and year, and one section enables you to post reviews and ask questions about the car you're thinking of buying. A feature called "My Garage" lets users create profiles for their new four-wheeled toys (this is where the car nerd thing comes in, in case you were wondering).

Seriously, though—if you're going to make the huge investment of purchasing a new vehicle, it makes sense that you would want to protect your assets. Your car may lose value when you leave the lot, but you still want to make it valuable in your life. If you don't have a mechanic or major auto buff in the family, maybe this site will be just the help you need. Check it out and let us know what you think! [SF Gate]