Johnny Depp given ’59 Corvette for work on The Rum Diary

Johnny Depp has long been one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood, and most people wouldn't argue if you said he's got it pretty good. It looks like that life just got a little bit better. As a thank you for the work he did on his upcoming movie The Rum Diary, Depp received a classic 1959 Corvette convertible, USA Today reports.

The beautiful ride was given to him by Graham King and was driven by Depp in the movie. While it might seem like a gaudy gift for such an accomplished actor, King said that it was well-earned on Depp's part. Still, the Pirates of the Caribbean star was shocked when he received the 'Vette.

"He worked so hard on the film and why not?" King told the publication. "He was pretty blown away by it."

Director Bruce Robinson told USA Today that he was extremely jealous of the gift, adding that he got to drive the car and was surprised by how powerful it was. Corvette fans can look for the vehicle when the movie comes out October 28.

The 1959 Corvette is one of the most classic versions of the iconic sports car, and it featured an especially powerful engine and its unique design set the tone for the following decades.

Address the crack in the windshield before it grows

It could have been from a piece of asphalt kicked up by the car in front of you or a rock when you were driving behind that dump truck last week, but the bottom line is the same – you have a small crack in your windshield. While it may not seem like a problem now, a small crack can quickly grow into a larger one that could obscure your vision, but there are ways to make sure that doesn't happen.

If you wait too long, you may have to end up replacing the entire windshield rather than just fixing the crack itself. Experts say that if it is more than 30 days old, wider than one-eighth of an inch thick or longer than 12-inches, you've missed your opportunity. So you'll want to act quickly if you want to minimize the damage to both your car and your wallet.

Though some drivers might take matters into their own hands by way of some home remedies, they might not always do the trick and could make matters worse. Some of the most popular fixes are using super glue and clear nail polish to fill the crack, but this doesn't always work and may make what was once a manageable repair much worse. Instead, most experts suggest taking your car to professionals to take care of the damage.

New Jersey State Auto Auction not only offers makes and models at affordable prices, but it is also provides service and repairs at its Jersey City location that is open to the public. Call Brian at 201-200-1100 and New Jersey Auto's expert technicians can help you with any repair be it a crack in the windsheild or more.

October is Fall Car Care Month

Though making sure your car is running smoothly should be taken into consideration the whole year, October is known as Fall Car Care Month, and drivers who may have otherwise put off that inspection may want to do so before winter hits.

Many mechanics recommend following a regular maintenance regimen for a number of reasons. Not only does it ensure that your vehicle will drive well, but it could also save you a great deal of money in the long run.

"A thorough inspection of your vehicle this month will go a long way toward ensuring safety and dependability when temperatures drop and wet winter weather strikes," Rich White, the executive director of the Car Care Council told The Northern Light. "A routine maintenance program also makes financial sense, extending useful vehicle life and helping avoid costly repairs down the road."

There are few things that you should check every time you inspect your car, but several are especially important with winter right around the corner. Experts say that should make a point to check their tires this month, including the air pressure and treads, to make sure they are ready for winter driving.

In addition to the tires, it will also behoove you to check all your fluids including oil, power steering, transmission and brake fluids. Furthermore, you will also want to schedule a tuneup to ensure your engine is running as efficiently as possible.

By taking steps during Fall Car Care Month you'll be able to be one of the many drivers who are getting the most out of their used cars. In fact, Rebecca Lindland, the director of strategic review at IHS Automotive, recently told Bloomberg Radio that the average mileage of a car on the road today is about 130,000 miles, and vehicles are getting fixed and lasting longer than ever before.

Women more likely to research cars online, study says

The internet has changed the way car buyers prepare to make purchases, and it looks like women are more apt to use blogs and official product information resources to do their research than their male counterparts.

The study, conducted by publisher BlogHer, Inc. found that when it comes to buying cars, women tend to be more excited than men as well. Specifically, 74 percent said they were excited about making their purchase, while just 71 percent of men said the same. And while they were also more nervous than men (53 percent to 42 percent), those fears were allayed somewhat by turning to blogs for advice, with confidence among women rising 8 percent after visiting such websites.

Although going online helped with confidence, in-person dealership visits were still the respondents' top destination when it came to doing research on a potential vehicle purchase. Word of mouth, car review websites, auto manufacturer websites and blogs rounded out the top five.

"Women clearly articulated the features they need to see and the voices they want to hear when considering a car purchase," said Elisa Camahort Page, the co-founder and COO of BlogHer, Inc. "We see a huge opportunity for auto manufacturers to indeed 'Put her in the driver's seat' and let her buying preferences re-shape how the automotive community reaches the powerful women's market."

If you happen to be considering a used car purchase and want to also trade-in your current ride, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the perfect place to go. New Jersey Auto offers visitors to their website a free appraisal from AutoTrader.com, which will instantly show you how much your car is worth and should be a must when researching your used car purchase.

What does blue smoke in the exhaust mean?

Every so often you'll see a car on the highway that is emitting blue smoke from its exhaust pipe and while you may dismiss it when it's someone else's vehicle, if it happens on your car it can be indicative of a serious problem. Blue smoke often means that your engine is burning oil and you will have to get it fixed.

The fact that your car is burning oil essentially means that the engine is worn down, in particular its valves and piston rings. According to Yahoo! Auto, a car that is emitting blue smoke is burning about a quart of oil every 500 miles or so. A healthy car usually burns one quart around every 1,500 miles. If the problem goes untreated it will cause buildup near the spark plugs, causing them not to fire.

Depending on how old your car is, if you find it's burning oil, the cost to fix the engine may not be worth it. Instead, the best way to avoid such a fate is to get regular maintenance to ensure that your car lasts as long as possible.

Many people appear to have taken that into consideration. Rebecca Lindland,the director of strategic review at IHS Automotive, recently told Bloomberg Radio that the average age of a car on the road today is 10.7 years and that most motorists are easily driving their vehicles past the 100,000 mile mark.

New Jersey State Auto Auction not only offers lots of makes and models at affordable prices but also provides repairs to its customers.

The New Jersey State Auto Auction has a Full Auto Service Center located in Jersey City. The company provides discounted auto repair and auto maintenance for their customers. Call Brian at 201-200-1100 for our current Service Specials and ask for our Current Coupons.

What to look for during a used car inspection

Although many consumers may think they know exactly what to look for in a used car, all too often there are certain things they can overlook when shopping. However, it doesn't take too long to familiarize yourself with the best ways to asses a used car, and Popular Mechanics recently offered a few tips on the best ways to go about buying a used car.

Perhaps the most important aspect of buying a used car is the inspection you perform before you get behind the wheel. To start, experts suggest turning to the internet to thoroughly research the model you're considering buying. Chances are if it has any problem areas there will be a message board or forum somewhere dedicated to letting everyone know.

Also important is how well you can give the car a physical inspection. There are a number of tell-tale signs that could be indicative of larger problems including rusty areas or the more subtle gouges along the outer-body, which could suggest that the car has been through a frame-straightening machine, the publication reports.

You will also want to be on the lookout for fluid leaks, which could signal a serious problem with the car. Even if it seems small, there is always the chance that it could grow larger very quickly, which could be a costly fix.

The test drive is crucial as well, and the publication says that there is not one specific thing to look for but instead the overall feel of the vehicle is important including how it steers, changes gears and how it brakes.

Of course, buying a used car from a reputable source is important as well. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides consumers with plenty of makes and models of used cars, from BMW to Ford, at affordable prices.

Dodge, Chevy and Hyundai highlight the week in auto news

From one of the most widely-recognizable minivans being taken off the road to an impressive milestone being reached, there was big news for some of the most popular auto manufacturers in the world this week.

• The Chevrolet Malibu has long been among the most widely-driven cars in the United States, and now it is official. This week the car became the auto industry's longest-running model with an impressive 35-year run. In fact, USA Today reports that there have been 8.5 million Malibus inside the United States since it debuted in 1964, and the car has won more than 40 awards including the 2008 North American Car of the Year.

• It is hard to drive down the highway without seeing a slew of Dodge Grand Caravans, but that time may soon be over. Automotive News is reporting that Chrysler Group plans to end construction of the popular minivan and will instead release just on, the Chrysler Town and Country. The decision stems largely from a desire to not release two almost-identical cars. The company also is going to end production of the Dodge Avenger sedan.

"We cannot have the same type of vehicle in the showroom, because the consumer not stupid," Chrylser CEO Sergio Marchionne told the website.

• Often known for its reliable sedans, Hyundai surprised some in the industry when it paired with Magnuson Products, Rhys Millen Racing, Harman International and Torvec Inc. to develop a 450 horsepower version of its Genesis Coupe. Hyundai hopes to unveil the powerful special edition Genesis at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas, which is held between November 1 and 4.

Used car prices drop from August to September

There may be no better time than the coming months to buy a used car. Not only is the end of the year often regarded as one of the best stretches for consumers, recent statistics show that used car prices are on the way down as well, so heading over the New Jersey State Auto Auction in the near future is a great idea.

According to USA Today, the most recent findings show that the monthly index of 122.9 in September was down a bit from the August index of 123.7. Though it is still a little bit ahead of the index in 2010, it signals a downward trend that could be good news for consumers. Economist say that prices of used SUVs have been especially promising, so if you're looking for a used Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Tahoe, now may be the time.

Those looking to take advantage of the lower used car prices will want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction which offers many other advantages outside of providing numerous makes and models at affordable prices.

In particular, the New Jersey State Auto Auction is an authorized Autotrader.com trade-in marketplace so if you're hoping to get some money for your previous vehicle, it's especially simple and fast.

"As an authorized Autotrader Trade In Marketplace Dealership, we are equipped to provide an instant quote to Trade or Purchase a customer's used car, with payment right on the spot," said Lazlo Ember, the Internet Marketing Director for New Jersey Auto.

Furthermore, getting a loan is not a problem at New Jersey Auto, as everyone is granted automatic approval regardless of their credit history.

Regularly replace timing belts to extend your car’s life

There are some aspects of car maintenance that drivers may put off without any serious repercussions but replacing your timing belt is not among them. The crucial part ensures that valves and pistons operate together in the right way, and while they have become quieter and more efficient lately they also must be replaced a bit more frequently.

According to Rich Diegle, the Automotive Editor at ALLDATAdiy.com, a broken timing belt can lead to a number of issues. For instance, if you drive a car with a free-running engine, a broken belt will quickly cause your engine to stop running and you'll have to be towed to the nearest repair shop. Additionally, the broken belt could cause significant mechanical damage to your engine.

In interference engines, while the damage may not cause your car to immediately stop running, it will still result in some substantial harm in the form of pistons hitting open valves, which will cost a great deal to repair.

Of course, there is an easy way around the many pitfalls of a broken timing belt and that is to get them replaced on a regular interval. Most manufacturers will provide guidelines on just how often they should be replaced, and by following the recommendations you can prevent you belt from breaking and the host of problems that come with it.

Such regular upkeep is becoming increasingly important as drivers are getting more out of their cars than ever before. Rebecca Lindland, the director of strategic review at IHS Automotive recently told Bloomberg Radio that the average age of a car on the road is 10.7 years and if you'd like to reach that level, regular maintenance is must.

The New Jersey State Auto Auction has a Full Auto Service Center located in Jersey City. The company provides discounted auto repair and auto maintenance for their customers. Call Brian at 201-200-1100 for our current Service Specials and ask for our Current Coupons.

Oldest running car sold at Pennsylvania auction

A lot of people take pride in how long they can keep their car running, but none can hold a candle to the vehicle that just sold at a Hershey, Pennsylvania, auction. The world's oldest running car, which has been working for 127 years, recently went for $4.6 million, CNN Money reports.

The ride was built in France in 1884 and predates the first cars constructed by Henry Ford by about 12 years. The car, which sports the nickname La Marquise was originally intended for use by French Count De Dion, who was one of the founders of the company that manufactured it.

For its age, La Marquise is surprisingly powerful. Fueled by coal, wood and paper, the vehicle has a top speed of 38 miles per hour, though it may not be able to reach the mark more than a century after its creation.

Although La Marquise represents the extreme, there's nothing saying that your used car can't last for an especially long time if it's cared for properly by getting it regularly serviced. The point appears not to be lost on the American public as the average car on the road is becoming older and older.

In a recent interview with Bloomberg Radio, Rebecca Lindland the director of strategic review at IHS Automotive said that the average age of a car on the road today is about 10.7 years, with an average mileage of about 130,000 miles. To make sure your used car reaches the same milestone, visit New Jersey State Auto Auction.

The New Jersey State Auto Auction has a Full Auto Service Center located in Jersey City. The company provides discounted auto repair and auto maintenance for their customers. Call Brian at 201-200-1100 for our current Service Specials and ask for our Current Coupons.