More often than not, motorists looking to save money turn to used cars. While most pre-owned vehicles offer an affordable option compared to new ones, there are certain models that stand out above the rest. Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com recently named what it thinks are some of the best used cars selling for $8,000 or below.

Coming in at number eight on the list was the 2003 Mazda Protege5. This reliable car has been a mainstay on the road for years, and this version in particular offers a number of advantages. For one, its five-door configuration provides plenty of seating while also offering excellent gas-mileage and handling, all for a retail value of $7,970.

SUVs also made an appearance on the list, with the 2003 Ford Escape taking the number six spot. With a price tag of around $7,500, this compact SUV has long been a favorite among drivers, thanks to its reliability and ease of use.

Every car on the list represents a good deal, but the 2004 Honda Civic got the top spot. The car is well-known for its quality and safety, and despite being a compact sedan, it often stands above other similar models in terms of being fun and comfortable.

Whether you are looking to get behind the wheel of a used SUV, compact sedan or pick-up truck, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. The dealer offers motorists with a wide variety of makes and models – all at affordable prices. Additionally, because all the of the vehicles are Carfax certified, you can be sure you're getting a reliable product.

Though sales of new cars were up in 2011, consumers were not only looking to get behind the wheels of vehicles fresh off the lot. Used car sales were also up considerably compared to 2010, with about 39 million pre-owned vehicles going home with new owners, TheDetroitBureau.com reports.

Consumers bought three times as many used cars as in 2010 with the bulk of the sales coming in November and December, just as prices began to slip from a summer high. The reason for the increase likely stems from the fact that drivers’ cars, which they held on to for longer than normal, began to wear down, according to analysts.

“We saw a lot of people whose existing cars were just tired so, after two years of pent-up demand, that finally led to a surge of used car sales last year, and especially in November and December,” CNW Marketing chief Art Spinella told the website.

The figures are indicative of a trend that has been ongoing since 2008, when the recession first hit. Although the economy has begun to stabilize it has not changed consumers’ penchant for previously-owned vehicles over new cars.

Another big trend that some industry insider have noticed is that dealers, like New Jersey State Auto Auction, are more likely to use the internet to provide comprehensive lists of the cars they have for sale. According to the website, 73.1 percent of used cars are listed online.

New Jersey Auto has more to offer than just an easy database of available cars. It also has a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices and with guaranteed credit approval, getting a used car is easy.

When a longstanding ethanol subsidy expired on New Year's Day, the change likely went unnoticed by the majority of drivers on the road. However, they may be feeling the pinch as a result, as analysts believe that termination of the program will lead to higher gas prices, USA Today reports.

The change could come as early as next week, with some experts predicting a 45 cent-hike in the price of a gallon of gasoline. The reason is because ethanol, which has been shown to have smog-reducing characteristics, accounts for about 10 percent of many gasoline-based fuels. Still, despite the ominous predictions, some believe that there might not be a significant upward swing given the added emphasis on clean burning gas and fuel-efficiency.

"Things have changed. The marketplace has changed," Matt Hartwig of the Renewable Fuels Association, which represents ethanol makers, told the publication. "Today, ethanol is 10 percent of the nation's gas supply."

Whether or not gas prices rise significantly, taking steps to improve your fuel economy is never a bad idea. According to Edmunds, there are a few proven ways to help save money at the pump that you can start implementing today. For example, driving more moderately offers an average savings of 31 percent. In a similar vein, driving slower on long trips can save motorists an average of 12 percent.

Additionally, there could be some internal issues causing your gas mileage to plummet, but you may not know about it until you take your car to a professional. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Car center can answer the question. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, drivers can get everything from repairs to routine maintenance.

The North American International Auto Show has been one of the earliest indicators of a year's coming trends for more than two decades, and don't expect much to change this year. The two-week event comes to Detroit on January 9, and according to USA Today, there are a number of things to be on the lookout for.

Many of the trends over recent years have had to do with fuel efficiency and that will continue in 2012, experts say. One of the things to be most on the lookout for is stop-start technology, which actually turns off the engine while a car is idling at the stop light, and then starts it back up once it's ready to go. The features is already available in a number of vehicles, including the Mazda 3.

Of course, saving money on gas is not the only thing that drivers want. They are also looking to be safer than ever before. Industry experts are anticipating that the number of airbags in cars will grow to 10 in the coming year with some having already implemented front-seat knee versions of the safety device, the news source reports.

How a car drives may also change in the coming months due to a greater emphasis being placed on both the size and power of engines. According to USA Today, prognosticators believe that there will be more small engines with greater output much like the 2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged, direct-injection engine created by GM that provides 270 horsepower.

Regardless of which trends come and go, one thing will remain the same – New Jersey State Auto Auction will continue to be a great place to get behind the wheel of a used car. The dealer offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.