Drivers of used cars in New Jersey will find more room on the road this Fourth of July

Buyers looking at used cars in New Jersey to take on a road trip this summer may find their vacations more economical as AAA says that struggling retailers could mean savings for travelers.

To find the best deals, they say that travelers should check out local information from the visitor’s center, or even asking residents about deals that may not be well publicized once they arrive.

Before they start the trip, however, they can save some money by making sure that fluid levels in their vehicles are topped off and the tires fully inflated.

Also, whether they’re driving used cars in New York or other states, vacationers can save on fuel and improve handling by packing as lightly as possible to avoid weighing down their vehicle.

There could be another silver lining to the economic downturn that may make trips less aggravating this summer: nearly 900,000 fewer people will be on the road this Fourth of July weekend, which could mean fewer bottlenecks and stop-and-go traffic tie-ups as well.

Texting as dangerous as drinking in causing the potential to crash used cars in New York

Drinking while driving poses serious consequences for drivers, but consumers looking for used cars in New York may not know that texting could pose an even greater risk of damaging their investment.

The staff at Car and Driver decided to compare the two impairments in a straight-line test on an unused runway that involved rigging a timing apparatus to a car’s brake pedal, with simulated brake signals in front of the windshield.

They then had several writers and one editor attempt to hit the brakes when the light outside turned red, some while texting and some after drinking.

Compared to being intoxicated with a .08 blood alcohol content, stopping times while texting were as slow, and reaction times were worse for older drivers who texted than those who drank.

People looking to drive safely in a used car in New York may have no idea that “texting would slow down” reaction times to such an extent, said Eddie Alterman, Editor of Car and Driver.

Keep the kick of a V-6 in a used Buick Lacrosse in New York

GM has recently announced that new Buick Lacrosses will come with an optional four-cylinder engine for improved fuel economy, but for consumers looking for used cars in New York with a little more kick, used versions all come with a more powerful V-6 or V-8 option.

The luxury sedan will get a slightly more powerful version of the Ecotec engine that powers compact cars like the Chevrolet Cobalt, for combined fuel mileage of about 25 miles per gallon, according to GM.

“Buick LaCrosse customers will have the fuel-efficient option of the Ecotec 2.4L direct injection engine, a four-cylinder that is not available by key competitors, such as the Lincoln MKZ and Acura TL,” said Susan Docherty, Buick-Pontiac-GMC vice president.

But for those looking for a slightly stronger engine a used Buick Lacrosse in New York from 2005 could be worth checking out.

Edmunds.com editors said that it had a “smooth and quiet ride” even with a V-6 engine with 20 more horsepower than the 4-cylinder offered in new version.

For the money-conscious, the fuel mileage was still fairly high in its class, they noted, with an EPA average combined estimate of 21 miles per gallon.

U.S. Open viewers may have missed Danica Patrick in a used Ford Mustang

If consumers looking for used cars in New Jersey had turned on golfing’s U.S. Open on June 22, they may not have realized that they missed out on a chance to see racing star Danica Patrick in a used Ford Mustang.

Patrick was driving the car in a spot for Godaddy.com, and the web hosting provider says that a disagreement with either event sponsor Lexus or NBC kept the ad with the classic Mustang off of the program.

“It is beyond my wildest dreams that one of our commercials would be rejected only because it featured a classic American automobile,” said Bob Parsons, GoDaddy CEO and founder.

For those looking at used Ford Mustangs in New Jersey, models in the latest generation could offer a similar look to the muscle car driven by Danica in the ad, without the price of a collector vehicle or restoring a 1960s model.

The newer models take their design cues from the heyday of the Mustang in the late 1960s, and the 2006 model offers “compelling performance,” according to Edmunds.com editors.

Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson spotted in a Lexus IS

As Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett prepare for their wedding this summer, photographers have noticed that she’s driving a Lexus IS while shopping and planning.

While no one has reported on why Wilkinson chose the entry-level sports sedan, used car buyers in New York could be enticed by the model’s engine choices, which range from a 204 horsepower V6 to a 5 liter V8 in the IS-F that propels the car to 60 miles per hour in less than 5 seconds.

More demure trims are available for those who may want more fuel economy, especially for buyers considering a used Lexus IS 250 in New York.

The 2007 model can still make it to 60 mph in under 8 seconds, according to manufacturer’s estimates, but the EPA estimated fuel mileage is about 21 miles per gallon.

Compared to other cars in its class like the BMW 3-series and the Audi A4, Edmunds.com editors say that it “excels when it comes to comfort and feature availability.”

Win Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car, or get better odds finding your own used Chevrolet Camaro in New Jersey

A NASCAR star says that you can get a trip to an upcoming race, guitar autographed by him, and an all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. For those who want better odds on ways to pick up a pony car, a used Chevrolet Camaro in New Jersey might also make sense, too.

For a little more than a month, interested web users can head over to WinDaleJrsCamaro.com for a shot at the Camaro of their choice, a chance to meet Dale Earnhardt, Jr., tickets to the Rock & Roll 400 in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series and the custom Paul Reed Smith guitar autographed by both Smith and Earnhardt Jr. with paint matched to the pace car used in the NASCAR race.

Buyers who have already done research on the performance of the new model to answer the three questions required to enter the contest may have found that older models could offer similar benefits at much better odds.

For example, a recent Autotrader search turned up 40 used Chevrolet Camaros in New Jersey from 2000 or later, versus just one car signed by Earnhardt, Jr.

A used Kia Rondo in New York could be one option for buyers looking for more space

Looking for a used car in New York and other states that has room for more than six passengers but is smaller than most SUVs or minivans was a concern for one user who wrote to Cars.com for advice.

The main concern for some buyers is that while the two larger vehicle types offer more space than similar wagons or sedans, fuel economy can be reduced because of higher weight.

The editors at Cars.com were able to pinpoint three models that may fit the bill: the Mazda5, the E-class wagon from Mercedes-Benz and the Kia Rondo.

A used Kia Rondo in New York may be an affordable option for families looking for space for their children, as it is the least costly of the three options.

The wagon has offered seating for up to seven passengers as an option since 2007, with the ability for the second and third row of seats to fold down for cargo, as well as “an abundance of cupholders and storage bins that make the Rondo’s interior that much more useful,” according to Edmunds.com.

Survey: Owners of used cars in New Jersey and other states don’t schedule regular maintenance

Buyers who are considering a used car in New Jersey may be considering holding onto their new purchase for a longer time than they would have in previous years.

However, a new survey finds that they may not be considering regular maintenance that could keep their purchase from developing problems.

ExxonMobil commissioned the research to find out about the repair habits of drivers, releasing data that shows 40 percent of participants want their cars to reach 150,000 miles or more, or at least 12 years according to EPA statistics on average yearly mileage.

In spite of this desire, only one in five respondents followed manufacturer’s recommendations about regular oil changes and other car care.

“It’s admirable that so many drivers are looking to get more use out of their vehicles, especially in the current economy,” said Ray McDonald, global technical advisor for synthetic passenger vehicle Lubricants at ExxonMobil. “It’s important for drivers to remember that the time to prepare their vehicles for all of those extra miles is now.”

Seniors get new resource on how to drive safely in used cars in New Jersey

While seniors may consider purchasing used cars in New Jersey as an affordable way to continue driving, AAA wants to make sure they have the best information to help them continue to operate vehicles in a safe manner.

The company’s new website AAASeniors.com brings together research and information about cars that may be more amenable to older drivers, who could represent 25 percent of motorists in America by 2030.

“Many adult children, grandchildren and seniors will at some point be faced with a difficult decision about a mature adult’s ability to drive safely,” said gerontologist Dr. Alexis Abramson. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to be proactive in developing a plan of action based on factual, compassionate and objective information.”

Media on the website include instructional videos on various traffic maneuvers to help seniors who want to brush up on driving skills in used cars in Jersey and other states, as well as methods of dealing with declining night vision.

An online brochure also helps seniors consider what features to look for when making their next purchase, such as sedans with lighter doors than their two-door counterparts.

A used Mazda3 in New York could be one of the coolest cars in its class

With smaller cars beginning to have many of the same features as larger models, those looking for used cars in New York may want to consider a Mazda3, which has continued to make a “cool cars” list for the past six years.

Kelly Blue Book says that the Mazda3 has again been named one of the top 10 coolest cars under 18,000 because of its options that include leather seats and ability to connect portable electronics via bluetooth and iPod connections.

“The auto manufacturers have made the low-priced segments the most personality-filled in the industry,” said Jack R. Nerad, Kelly Blue Book executive editorial director and executive market analyst, adding that the cars chosen “are loaded with technology and amenities.”

For buyers considering a used Mazda3 in New York, the 2005 model could be a good choice, according to the editors at Edmunds.com

They say that in its second model year, its “good looks, strong engines and sharp handling add up to an economy car that feels anything but cheap,” with the possibility of extra space in hatchback models.