Comic book fans and cinephiles alike may be excited to know that one of the most famous cars in the history of Hollywood is about the go up for auction for the first time. The Batmobile from the 1966 live action TV series Batman and the adapted movie, starring Adam West, will be one of the stars of the show at the Barrett-Jackson auction house in Scottsdale, Arizona, on January 19. The custom ride started out as a Lincoln Futura concept car that was modified by George Barris.

"The 1966 Batmobile by George Harris is one of the most famous Hollywood cars in history, and it has become a true icon that has been carried from generation to generation of Batmobiles to follow," said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of the auction house. "This vehicle not only marks the significant Bat logo that sits on the middle of its door, but a time in television where they defied the odds of making a car the real star of the show. It revolutionized an entire industry that followed in the footsteps and we couldn't be prouder to have it cross our block in Scottsdale as it goes up for sale for the very first time."

Barris purchased the Batmobile from Ford Motor Company in 1965 for $1, and has kept it in pristine condition. As this car is such an important marker of the Batman franchise as well as a major player in the development of television, it will likely have a high final selling price. While not everyone will be able to afford to bid on this fantasy car, those in need of more practical vehicles can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction to get in on the automotive bidding action. With a wide selection of makes and models, there's something for everyone.

Every year, Consumer Reports conducts a survey to determine how satisfied drivers are with their cars, and the Chevy Volt was named the best car for customer satisfaction for the second year in a row. More Volt owners (92 percent) said they would buy the car again than any other survey respondents.

"The Volt's two-year reign at the top of our satisfaction survey points to the continuing trend of owners' enthusiasm for cars that are fuel-efficient cars, especially as we see more and more hybrid and electric models hitting the market," said Rik Paul, the auto editor for Consumer Reports. "The combination of sporty handling and strong engine performance also goes a long way in building loyalty and generating excitement among owners."

In general, models that have alternative fuel options tended to do better than others, as the Nissan Leaf, Toyota Camry hybrid, Prius and Prius C also scored very high when it came to customer satisfaction. The other end of the spectrum included a number of SUVs and vehicles with larger V6 engines that consume more gasoline per mile, suggesting that drivers are moving away from gas guzzlers and toward options that will help them save at the pump and are better for the environment. The GMC Sierra, Nissan Armada, Chevy Silverado and Mitsubishi Outlander were among the lowest-scoring vehicles in Consumer Reports' survey.

Reports such as this can be very helpful for car shoppers who are not sure which vehicle is best suited for them. They may want to avoid cars ranked low on this list, as it is based on the driver's opinion of performance, reliability, comfort price and enjoyment. Once a driver finds the vehicle they want, they can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which carries a wide selection of makes and models. Every vehicle on the lot is CARFAX certified, so drivers know they'll be getting behind the wheel of a reliable ride no matter which model they choose.

Children learn many of their behaviors from their parents, and this is especially true when it comes to driving habits. A recent study found this to be the case, even if parents educated their children about the dangers of distractions and the importance of practicing safe habits behind the wheel.

Researchers from Toyota and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute conducted phone surveys with more than 5,500 young drivers and their parents. They found that kids are far more likely to be influenced by what they think their parents do while driving than what parents tell their kids they do. For example, when a teen driver thinks his parents eat or drink while driving, he is 3.4 times more likely to do so as well. Young drivers whose parents have reported eating or drinking behind the wheel are 2.2 times more likely to snack while operating a vehicle.

Even if parents do not engage in risky behaviors, or do so infrequently, teens are still apt to assume their parents are doing these things. Approximately 71 percent of teens think their parents read directions while driving, while only about 55 percent admitted to doing so.

"Children look to their parents for a model of what is acceptable," said Dr. Ray Bingham, research professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and head of the Young Driver Behavior and Injury Prevention Group. "Parents should know that every time they get behind the wheel with their child in the car, they are providing a visible example that their child is likely to follow."

In addition to instilling good driving practices in their kids, parents can help keep their youngsters safe on the road by putting them behind the wheel of a reliable vehicle. New Jersey State Auto Auction carries a wide selection of makes and models, and each one is CARFAX certified.

Thanksgiving weekend is not just for family get togethers and overindulging at the dinner table, it is also a great time to get some holiday shopping done. If you have a young driver on your list this year, the gift of a used vehicle may be an excellent choice. Used cars are more affordable than new, so you won't have to break the bank to get the perfect gift for your teenage son or daughter. You will also have more options when it comes to safety features, without having to pay for each additional add-on.

There are many safety features available on cars that have come out in the past few years, including modern air bag technology, lane departure warnings, rearview cameras and on-board infotainment systems that have GPS navigation and emergency assistance options. If you were to get all of these in a new car, it could result in a major price hike. But when they are already installed in a used car, you won't be facing any additional fees to keep your teen safe on the road.

To find the perfect ride, you might want to consider visiting New Jersey State Auto Auction, which has more than four acres of used cars, trucks and SUVs. Every vehicle on the lot is CARFAX certified, so you know your young relative will be getting behind the wheel of a reliable used model. The public auction company also has an ever-changing inventory, so even if you can't find the right car on your first visit, you can come back again soon to browse the new selection of vehicles for sale.

NJ State Auto hosts weekly auctions on Saturdays, but the lot is open all week long so you can find the cars you're interested in. Should you see something you like, you have the ability to reserve it on the spot if you would rather not wait until the auction.

Distracted driving presents a major threat to all drivers on the road, whether or not they engage in the risky behavior themselves. According to the U.S Department of Transportation, distractions behind the wheel – such as using a smartphone, adjusting the radio, eating, drinking and using navigation systems – were responsible for at least 3,092 deaths and approximately 416,000 injuries in 2010, accounting for about 18 percent of injury crashes that year.

The most recent report on this risky behavior by State Farm indicates the problem may only be growing. The insurance agency's annual report indicates that surfing the web on a smartphone or other handheld device while driving is growing increasingly common.

In fact, among drivers between the ages of 18 and 29, the number of those who have gone online while driving jumped to 48 percent this year from 29 percent in 2009. Among all drivers this increase was a bit more subtle – 13 percent in 2009 to 21 percent in 2012. This indicates that safety advocates may need to target younger drivers to curb this dangerous behavior.

One major issue is that most drivers are aware of how risky it is to engage in any distracting behaviors while operating a vehicle, yet may still partake. The State Farm survey indicates many felt the issue was that distracted driving laws were not enforced well enough.

These days there are numerous options to reduce risky driving, such as in-car technology that allows drivers to pair their handheld devices with their vehicles and use voice commands to eliminate the desire to take their eyes off the road. There are even a number of used cars that have this feature, and car shoppers may be able to find models at New Jersey Auto Auction.

Following the example of many other automakers, Ferrari recently held a charity auction to raise money that will be donated to the Hurricane Sandy relief effort. The Italian supercar company has been making efforts to raise funds and contribute to the cause since the disaster struck the northern East Coast states, as its North American headquarters is located in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, just west of the Bronx in New York. The automaker's most recent contribution came in the form of a charity auction where an F12berlinetta was up for bid in the U.S for the first time. The auction, held over the weekend in Austin, Texas, brought in more than $50,000 in donations in-person and online in addition to the winning bid of $1,125,000 for the car itself.

"This evening's auction of the highly anticipated F12berlinetta together with the significant contribution from the Ferrari dealer network demonstrate the strong bond between the Prancing Horse and its North American clients," said Marco Mattiacci, president and CEO of Ferrari North America. "With the attention of the motoring world turned to the Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend in Austin, an extremely high demand for the new F12berlinetta, this was the perfect time and place to raise much-needed funds for the continuing effort to assist those affected by hurricane Sandy, and we are proud of the results."

Ferrari has been quite generous when it comes to contributing to Sandy relief efforts. The recent action brings its total donation to the Red Cross to more than $1.5 million.

While most people likely cannot afford to bid in the millions for a vehicle, they can take part in the weekly auctions held at NJ State Auto. Every weekend, the dealer auctions a variety of used cars for affordable prices, and car shoppers can be confident knowing they'll be driving away in something reliable, as every model on the lot is CARFAX certified.