Deer are a growing problem for drivers of used cars in New Jersey

A growing residential population in formerly rural areas of the Garden State mean that there are more frequent collisions with used cars in New Jersey and wildlife that can’t read road signs.

Chief among the states experiencing an increase in the number of deer-vehicle collisions is New Jersey, where incidents have increased by more than 50 percent when comparing estimates of claims made by State Farm customers between 2007 and 2009 to those five years earlier. That is the greatest percentage change in any state outside of Nebraska.

“We want to call attention to potential hazards like this one,” said Laurette Stiles, State Farm vice president of strategic resources. “We hope our updated information will inspire motorists to make safe decisions.”

The twilight and early evening period are when deer are most active, and drivers may want to use high beams as much as possible to improve visibility on rural roads or those with low visibility while driving used cars in New Jersey. If preventive measures don’t seem to work, use the brakes rather than swerving to avoid hitting a stationary object or oncoming vehicle which could result in increased injuries or property damage.

Unique racing league could appeal to owners of used cars in New York

Race fans can find a variety of motorsports options in New York, from dirt tracks to full-size tracks both at home and in neighboring states, but a new league could provide a new twist for interested owners of used cars in New York.

It’s called Caged Heat, and has received the endorsement of one member of the famous Andretti racing family. The biggest difference between it and other series is that the races can be run in hockey facilities with NHL regulation ice surfaces.

The race entries will be smaller than most used cars in New York, roughly half the size of a normal race car, and will be traveling around a steeply banked track that includes 125-foot-long straightaways. The size of the cars and the length of the track will enable speeds of up to 50 mph on the miniature track.

“With the popularity of racing in the United States and an economy on the rebound, now is the perfect time to offer race fans and sponsors a new, affordable, exciting sport,” said Thomas Wall, Caged Heat CEO.

For interested fans in New York, there is a race scheduled in Rochester at the Blue Cross Arena August 27 and 28, 2010.

Pickup truck enthusiasts could enjoy driving used Ford F-150s in New York

You may be a Ford guy or a Chevy guy, but a recent survey finds that no matter your brand preference, men love pickup trucks. For those looking to see what the fuss is about, a used Ford F-150 in New York may be a good starting point.

The editors at PickupTrucks.com recently conducted a survey of the attitudes of truck owners to their vehicles, and the responses from the online participants showed a particular affinity between owners and their pickups.

In fact, they would choose keeping their rig over their spouse, their house and even some bedroom activities by margins of more than 25 percent for each activity, according to the results. Nearly half of them have spent at least $1,000 on their trucks, and a similar number of younger owners have names for their pickups.

“The high value that pickup truck owners place on their trucks and the amount of money that they spend in aftermarket products makes sense when you consider the fact that 64 percent consider their truck as an extension of their personalities,” noted PickupTrucks.com editor Mike Levine.

If you’re looking to see why these guys are so passionate, driving around a used Ford F-150 in New Jersey, or a Dodge Ram may be the first step.

Flooding in Georgia could impact the supply of used cars in New Jersey

Auto lots are filled with used cars in New Jersey, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the cars originated in the Garden State. As the recent flooding in Georgia shows, nature can have an affect on previously pristine vehicles.

That’s why buyers will want to check for a couple of things with some used cars, to ensure that the car they buy is safe for use. Many businesses will inform potential buyers of vehicles with salvage titles or flood damage, but caveat emptor.

A used car in New Jersey that has completely new interior materials should raise a red flag, according to some automotive experts, as should one with excessive rust or corrosion in the undercarriage and spare tire holder.

Other tips include ensuring the electrical system functions properly and using one’s nose for any moldy smells that could be a sign of previous water damage.

“Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers,” notes Jason Day, vice president of one used car retailer.

Politics may color opinions of those purchasing used cars in New Jersey

Some researchers are finding that where you land along the political spectrum may influence which vehicle you purchase, which could affect the sales of some used vehicles in New Jersey.

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research focused on consumer attitudes as they related to the Hummer line of vehicles from General Motors, all of which fit into the large or midsize SUV class.

They found in interviews of current Hummer owners that they felt morally comfortable driving a vehicle that they told scientists represents American ideals like the “rugged individual” and the “boundless frontier.”

Contrary to those who focus on fuel consumption, the Hummer owners were more likely to be conservatives who felt that their vehicle purchase represented a desire to maintain American culture.

If those ideas resonate, then used cars in New Jersey like the Hummer H3 may offer the best fit of the ideals proposed by other buyers provide a vehicle small enough to navigate some of the more congested cities in the Garden State.

“Hummer claims the H3 is about the same length as a typical midsize sedan — and therefore is able to maneuver through urban traffic,” notes a Cars.com review of the 2006 model, adding that the vehicle can also travel in less civilized areas with ease.

Cutting out the middle man may reduce the costs of loans on used cars in New York

Although used cars are often times more affordable than their newer brethren, buyers may not be able to pay the entire cost of a used car in New York at the time of purchase, which necessitates loan considerations.

One way to reduce the costs of getting a loan is to cut out the middlemen of online loan providers, the affiliate agents who drive web users to various direct lenders, reports AutoCreditExpress.com. That can save on the overhead of the affiliate’s profit margin, and if applications are made within a couple days of each other, one’s credit score will not be negatively impacted.

However, those with bad credit may benefit from a firm that could advocate for them, like the website itself, since tightened credit requirements have made some lenders wary of buyers with shaky financial history, notes company blogger Steve Cypher.

Interested consumers could also take advantage of the financing and leasing trade associations in the UK, which offers a common sense guide for buying a car that includes information germane to most developed countries, according to Contracthireandleasing.com.

“Buyers often focus on the make and model of their next car, and how to pay for it is a distant second,” Paul Harrison, FLA head of motor finance, told the website.

Indian ‘game changer’ not likely to hit market, but used Ford Focuses in New Jersey available

Looking to capture market share from the Tata Nano, currently the world’s cheapest production passenger automobile, Ford is introducing a low-cost model called the Figo in India. Although there are no plans to bring the car to the U.S. market, buyers may want to check out compact models like used Ford Focuses in New Jersey.

Company officials say that the car is expected to appear in the Indian market in the first quarter of 2010, with an expected sales price of $6,000 to $8,000, according to analysts cited by the Associated Press. The move is being made as Ford attempts to address the burgeoning automotive needs in South Asia.

“This new car will be a game changer,” Michael Boneham, Ford India president, told the wire service. “It will give us muscle in the heart of the Indian market.”

Buyers in America looking for their own game changer could benefit from taking a look at the 2005 models of used Ford Focuses in New Jersey, which offer a similar price point for the compact car available in hatchback and sedan variants, according to Edmunds.com.

Used Nissan Altimas in New Jersey don’t have suspension problems of newer models

As Nissan gets set to release a press blitz for its 2011 model year Altima, recent cars have experienced suspension problems that could lead buyers towards used Nissan Altimas in New Jersey instead.

The new model will get a variety of appearance upgrades that the company says will offer a more youthful appearance, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a design flaw in 2009 and 2010 model year Altimas could cause the front struts to become loosened.

If the vehicle was not immediately repaired, the structural integrity problems caused by the malfunction could lead to a crash, the agency notes.

On the other hand, buyers looking at a used Nissan Altima in New Jersey could enjoy the 2005 model, which has no outstanding recalls issued against it, and has received praise from some reviewers.

“It steers with a rather light touch, is stable on the road and exhibits minimal body lean,” notes a Cars.com review. “Ride comfort is satisfying, and the fully independent suspension deals adeptly with pavement bumps and holes.”

General Motors program nixed, buyers can find unibody used Honda Ridgelines in New Jersey

Cars have used unibody construction for years to decrease the amount of weight and improve handling by incorporating the load-bearing sections with the body’s structure. General Motors was recently considering developing a truck using a similar construction technique, but buyers looking for a more car-like pickup may want to check out used Honda Ridgelines in New Jersey instead.

That’s because the American automaker couldn’t find a way to make their unibody truck cost-effective to produce, since market research participants didn’t want to pay a premium for a vehicle with less weight-carrying capacity than standard pickups, notes AutoWeek.com.

“We felt there would be a significant fuel economy improvement” from the mid-sized platform, Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of global product development told the news provider. “But as we dived deeper into it, there wasn’t that much additional fuel economy to be gained.”

Although General Motors couldn’t make it work, people looking for an all-wheel drive vehicle that can carry a lot but still handle like a car could look at used Honda Ridgelines in New Jersey, the only model with unibody construction in the U.S.

Used Subaru Imprezas in New York fit the bill for those looking for control and luxury seats

If you’ve seen the commercials on TV for some car sites, then you’ve seen how quickly just a few choices of options and body styles can quickly narrow down one’s options. A visitor to Cars.com recently found out that with just four requests, it was possible to narrow down the selection of cars to pick from to used Subaru Imprezas in New York.

Starting with a body type can cut the number of models down by several dozen, and the query was for a five-door hatchback, of which there are roughly a dozen models. But the buyer also wanted leather or pleather seats for riding comfort and a manual transmission, which restricted it even further to sportier models from luxury makers.

The capstone that led to the choice of a new or used Subaru Impreza in New York as the best possible option was the need for all-wheel drive, reports Cars.com. Subaru has built its brand on a drivetrain that includes a low-slung boxer-style engine and full-time all-wheel drive.

The 2006 model year Impreza “is a practical, fun-to-drive alternative to the typically dull cars that populate its segment of the market,” note the Edmunds.com editors.