The conditions are right for a surge in auto sales this spring, and it looks like manufacturers are on pace to have their best year since 2008. Thanks to an improving stock market, more affordable cars and steady job growth, consumers are becoming more likely to get behind the wheel of a new car, AOL Autos reports.

For a clear picture of how well automakers are doing at the moment, you need look no further than Kia. The South Korean company posted its best month ever in March, selling 50,000 cars for the first time in its history, with the Optima and Sorento performing especially well.

"Kia is on a tear, and has had a tremendous surge in consideration on our website," AOL Autos Editor-in-Chief David Kiley told the website. "They have done everything right for a while–good provocative design like the Kia Soul, value pricing, increasing quality and engaging advertising to get people to notice,"

American manufacturers have also had a very successful spring so far. In particular, Ford has seen a surge in sales with fuel-efficient cars being especially. Specifically, the Focus enjoyed a 78 percent growth in sales in March, up to an all-time record of more than 28,500 units sold, according to the website.

The number of people heading out to buy new vehicles may be good news for drivers who are more interested in purchasing a used car. As people trade-in their older rides, there will be plenty of inventory available.

If you're interested in getting behind the wheel of a used car, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models, there's something for everyone, and since all vehicles are CARFAX certified, you know you're getting a reliable vehicle.

In an effort to save money, many drivers have been trying to get the most out of their cars, but few people have taken it to the level that one Florida woman did. Rachel Veitch, 93, recently said goodbye to her beloved 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente after driving an astonishing 576,000 miles, Fox News reports.

Veitch has been somewhat of a celebrity over the years for her loyalty to one car. It outlasted three of her marriages and she likely would have stayed behind the wheel had age-related macular degeneration not gotten in the way. After running a red light and having difficulty reading the newspaper, she realized it might be time for her to retire her beloved car for good.

There's no word on what's next for the famous car. It's slated to appear at an antique car show in the summer, and Veitch is considering selling it to Tonight Show host Jay Leno, an avid car collector. There's no particular secret to how she managed to drive the car so long other than simply treating it well.

"When I buy gas, I write down the mileage, the date and how many miles per gallon I got," she told the news source in an interview in 2009. "I've never been a destructive person and I've just taken care of everything, except my husbands."

While reaching the half-million mile mark may be unrealistic for the everyday driver, there are ways to make sure your car runs for as long as possible. A regular visit to New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center in Jersey City is one such way. By having regular tuneups and staying on top of maintenence, you'll be sure to drive your car to 100,000 miles and beyond.

Kelley Blue Book recently unveiled the winners of its Brand Image Awards, and longtime consumer favorite Honda came out on top. The manufacturer took home wins in two of the most coveted categories, while American-made brands such as Ford and Cadillac also performed well.

The study is based on consumer perception, and names winners in 12 different categories. Honda came home with two wins: Most Trusted Brand and Best Value Brand. The fact that Honda was named the Most Trusted Brand did not surprised analysts at Kelley Blue Book, who say the automaker has become known for its reliability and dependability over the years. Additionally, it scored well in terms of value because of its usually high resale price and high gas mileage.

Although Honda earned two of the top awards, Ford performed especially well too. In particular, it was recognized in four different categories, including Most Family-Friendly Brand. Kelley Blue Book believes the company has the re-tooled Explorer to thank for the family-friendly perception. Ford also was top in Best Interior Design – Non-Luxury, Most Rugged Truck Brand, and Best Exterior Design – Non-Luxury.

As for luxury cars, Cadillac and BMW performed well in terms of design, while Porsche was named Coolest Brand. Although the findings reflect consumer feelings toward particular brands, experts say it speaks volumes about their quality.

"Image isn't everything but it is more than enough to get shoppers into the store, and that's half the battle for automakers and their dealers," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. 

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of any of these vehicles, whether it be a used Ford or used Honda, you should head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there's sure to be the car for you.

Although many drivers know regular auto maintenance is an important part of car ownership, what might be less obvious is exactly how often you should get your vehicle looked at. In an effort to help and in recognition of National Car Care Month, the Car Care Council recently introduced a new tool that will provide an easy-to-follow schedule.

The tool is free to use and available at carecare.org. All drivers have to do is enter their personal vehicle information on the website, and they'll be provided with regular email updates to remind them when they need regular maintenance such as oil changes or replacement air filters.

The new website could be a big help to many motorists who put off getting their car looked at, whether for financial reasons or simply because they don't know when they should have a mechanic check something out. Specifically, a recent study found eight of 10 cars failed at least one inspection component.

"Chances are if you own a car, it needs some work. National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time to focus on your vehicle's maintenance needs," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Whether you do it yourself or take your car to a professional service technician, following a preventative maintenance schedule will help keep your vehicle safe, dependable and on the road longer."

Whether or not you need guidance on how often your car should see a mechanic, you should visit New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center to get work done. With a knowledgeable and talented group of professionals, you can get everything from regular upkeep to significant repairs taken care of.

Many analysts have predicted that the rising cost of gas would encourage many drivers to opt for more fuel-efficient vehicles, and General Motors' recent sales estimates seem to have proven them right. The automaker says that March was its best month of high mile-per-gallon cars in its lengthy history.

To qualify as a high-MPG ride, GM said the car has to get 30 miles to the gallon or more. The company said that it sold 100,000 such products during March, a figure much higher than in previous years. In fact, the amount of fuel-efficient vehicles has spiked significantly since as recently as 2009.

"Three years ago, about 16 percent of the vehicles GM sold achieved at least 30 mpg on the highway," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, in a statement. "Today, that number is about 40 percent and we have more new fuel-economy leaders on the way, including the Chevrolet Spark, Cadillac ATS and Buick Encore."

GM currently offers 12 cars that fit the bill. The top-ranking vehicle is the electric Chevrolet Volt, which gets the equivalent of 93 miles per gallon, but for those not sold electric vehicles just yet, other options including the Chevrolet Sonic, Buick Verano and GMC Terrain all eclipse the 30 MPG mark.

Although this year's fleet of GM cars are particularly fuel-efficient, there are plenty of used options available that can save you just as much money at the pump. In particular, New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, whether you're looking for a fuel-efficient used Chevrolet or a powerful SUV.