Daydreaming about a new car? Then you might need a harsh dose of reality. Not only are new models expensive, but the features they come with may not be worth the investment – or the ensuing years of loan payments and debt. 

New technology still has glitches 
A report from AAA, conducted with the Automobile Club of Southern California, noted that many crash-prevention technologies still have problems that take away from their effectiveness. The study found that blind-spot monitoring systems, for instance, often struggled to identify motorcycles. The technology also failed to work correctly at high speeds or on highways, giving the driver little notice of road dangers. 

Similarly, there were issues with lane-departure warnings, which are supposed to let drivers know about nearby cars coming into their lane. Subpar road conditions – such as faded lane lines, construction zones or confusing intersections – interfere with the system. As problems arise with these technologies, many car owners get fed up and choose to ignore the alerts altogether. 

"Some blind-spot monitoring systems we tested had a short detection range, which meant that a vehicle was already in the blind spot before the alert came on," said Megan McKernan, the manager of automotive engineering at the Automobile Club of Southern California. "The lane-departure warning system on several vehicles experienced false-positive and miss-detections, which resulted in an inconsistent driver warning. This can be annoying and could result in the driver disabling the system due to the false alerts." 

Get the best used cars
Instead of throwing away money on a new car that doesn't live up to your expectations, find a used car that does. New Jersey Auto Auction is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans, and one of these options could be your next ride. With so many high-quality vehicles at low prices, it's easy to find a model to meet your needs. Many even have some of the features you want – without the high price tag or surprise glitches. 

Not all new car features are bad, but many of the best amenities can be found in used vehicles. Cars that are only a few years old often have the must-have features you want in a ride, so be sure to do your research and find the best fit. 

When you finally decide to upgrade your ride, you've got a lot of tough choices to make. On the surface, these decisions may seem much more difficult than they are, as used cars offer quality and value that are hard to beat. Once you take a good, long look at some used vehicles, you may find that they have everything you want and more – in addition to providing some financial relief. 

Here are three reasons why buying a used car is better than buying new. 

You know what you're getting 
One of the biggest reasons used cars can be better than new ones is because they're known commodities. Brand new models frequently have glitches or other issues that aren't discovered until they hit the road. If you want to avoid recalls, time-consuming repairs and dangerous situations, select a used car that has a reputation for reliability and success. That way, you can rest assured that the car is ready and able to perform on the roads. 

Maintenance keeps it running like new
If someone were to argue the case for a new car, they may claim that it runs better and more smoothly than its used counterpart. However, people who take care of their older vehicles with the proper preventative maintenance don't have much to worry about. Regular tune-ups, oil changes and washes keeps cars looking and performing like new. If you can find a model that's been cared for by previous owners – something that's relatively easy to check with a vehicle history report and examination – you could get that new car experience without the price. 

3. More money for car-related expenses 
Buying a new car can leave you strapped for cash. Not only is the sticker price high, you've also got to fork over more for insurance premiums and pay back bigger loans. With used vehicles, however, you can save money without sacrificing the features you want. 

At New Jersey State Auto Auction, you can browse through hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans to find the one that's right for you. Many of these vehicles are a great value, as they're high quality options at affordable prices. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, take a look at some of these used cars for sale. 

When you're searching for a used car, you've got a lot to consider. Chief among your concerns will be how the vehicle fits in your budget – meaning you must think about insurance premiums, monthly payments, fuel efficiency and repair costs. To help drivers get through this tough battle, CarMD recently released its 2014 Vehicle Health Index. 

Finding the most reliable cars
The index is designed to identify the car models with the fewest "check engine"-related repairs, as well as the vehicles that are associated with the lowest repair costs. It looks at more than 40,000 maintenance issues from vehicles dating back to the 2004 model year, all of which occurred from Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014. 

According to the data, the top manufacturer for few repairs is Honda, which barely beat out Hyundai for the No. 1 spot. They were followed by Toyota, General Motors and Ford. As far as individual vehicles go, the 2012 Toyota Camry rated as the best. This is the second consecutive year this model emerged as the winner, leading the way for five Toyota cars to land in the top 10. 

As far as cost goes, drivers would be smart to look at Mazda. The brand had the lowest average repair expenses, with $302.92 being the typical price. 

What you need to know
Taking a look at some of the most reliable makes and models could give you an idea for your next purchase. Drivers who want to keep costs down would be well-served to take a look at the rankings. Vehicles that tend to be more reliable or have lower average costs could help motorists save time and money. 

"While this index is based on in-use vehicle repairs needed over the past year, it has also proven to be a useful tool in helping car and truck shoppers make informed decisions about the vehicles they are considering," said Doug Sobieski, chief marketing officer of CarMD.

If you're searching for a reliable used car, look no further than NJ State Auto Auction. This lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans. One of these vehicles could be your next ride – thanks in large part to the in-house experts who help drivers with everything from auto financing and loans to car repairs. 

So you want to buy a used car – now what? For most people, the next steps will involve setting a budget and turning to facilities like NJ State Auto Auction for help. While this is a great start, especially for those who need some financial guidance or aren't sure what type of car they want, drivers also need to brush up on their knowledge. 

For instance, prospective buyers should know which features will drive up the price on their desired cars. The NADA Used Car Guide recently outlined a few aspects of a vehicle that will impact the bottom line. It's important for motorists to have a firm grasp of these factors, as well as a few more traditional qualities, to be in the best position to find used cars.   

Mileage
Most drivers know that mileage has a significant effect on a car's value. It's one of the best ways to judge how much wear and tear the vehicle has gone through. This number can also be used as an indicator of what repairs or maintenance issues may pop up in the future. Make sure you get a vehicle history report to determine what's already been done. 

Vehicle redesigns 
According to the NADA, one of the most important factors that impacts value is vehicle redesigns. A car that is just one year newer but has undergone a redesign may be worth as much as 35 percent more than its older counterpart, the organization stated, and it's mostly due to the exterior look. So what does that mean for you? If you want value, try looking for models from right before a redesign. They'll carry many of the same features at a fraction of the price. 

Secondary features 
The NADA noted that the secondary features that impact car prices may surprise some. Fuel economy and power train are two of the most important qualities that go into price. While that's not unusual, what may shock drivers is that these numbers typically outweigh safety features. Similarly, warranties and reliability ratings are also not as important as things like horsepower and torque. 

Drivers will have to find just the right blend of features and value before deciding on the used car of their dreams. Luckily, places like NJ State Auto can help. With hundreds of Carfax-certified used vehicles on the lot, it's the perfect place to begin your search for an affordable model.