While lists of the best new cars are quite common, automotive industry publications don't often pay as much attention to the used vehicle market. However, many drivers prefer to purchase used for a variety of reasons: they're less expensive than new, they have a lower depreciation rate and you can often find amenities on used vehicles that you'd have to pay extra for if they were new. In order to help used car shoppers navigate the wide selection of options available, U.S. News and World Report recently compiled a list of nearly 600 used models from the 2009 through 2011 model years.

"In addition to the rankings, our reviews provide a balanced summary of each used car so consumers can make an informed purchase decision," said Page Deaton, managing editor of Autos for U.S. News and World Report. "Over time, we'll expand the Used Car Rankings to include additional vehicles and model years."

The news source ranks vehicles by class as well as budget. For instance, a driver with a $14,000 budget in the market for a small car would be able to browse a selection of vehicles in the $12,000-$15,000 range. The 2009 and 2010 Honda Fit, 2010 Ford Fiesta and 2009 Scion tC are just a few of the models in this range. There are also hybrid options, large cars, luxury vehicles, hatchbacks, SUVs and more, making this an excellent resource for drivers researching their next vehicle.

When it comes time to test drive and buy, drivers can head to NJ Auto Auction. The dealer carries a variety of makes and models at affordable pricing. Plus, every car is CARFAX certified, so shoppers know they'll be driving away in a reliable ride.

Manufacturers assign certain price tags to their vehicles, but the cost to consumers tends to vary, as additional features can drive the costs higher, while incentives may lower the sticker prices. This means the average transaction price for consumer vehicles fluctuates, and the most recent report by TrueCar.com indicates July saw a 0.5 percent decline compared to June. Last month, the average price paid for a new car was $30,369, which is $139 less than in June, but $487 more than in July 2011. The reason the price has increased in the past year may be due to dealers putting more emphasis on financing than cash incentives.

"Even though automakers may give the impression that they are ramping up incentives spending, the very low cost of funds and historically high resale values are in fact enabling them to create a ton of noise with fewer actual dollars spent," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of market intelligence for TrueCar.com. "Manufacturers are increasingly moving away from cash incentives and pushing finance and lease programs, which – along with consumers continuing to buy highly optioned out vehicles – is helping with sustained high level of transaction prices."

The ratio of incentives to transaction prices has declined from June to July, and last July was higher than the same month this year as well. As many dealers are leaning away from incentive offers, drivers may want to consider buying used cars to find the savings they were looking for in new cars. New Jersey Auto Auction has a range of used vehicles, including many from the 2012 model year. All of the cars on the lot have been CARFAX certified, and the dealer offers guaranteed credit approval thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation.