As is the case with nearly everything, most drivers have a personal preference when it comes to their favorite automaker. Whether it be Ford, BMW or Toyota, there's always something about a certain manufacturer that draws people in, and a recent Harris Interactive poll found the most popular brands. After surveying 38,000 people, researchers found Honda and Mercedes-Benz stood above the rest.

Mercedes-Benz captured the title of Lead Luxury Auto Brand for the second year in a row, beating back a strong challenge from Lexus. Analysts point toward the brand's reputation for quality and craftsmanship as what makes it stand above the other luxury manufacturers. Cadillac, Acura and Infiniti also performed well.

"Mercedes has ranked at the top for two years in a row and four of the last eight years, while Lexus has made it to the top spot three times," said Mike Chadsey, senior consultant for Harris Interactive's Customer Relationship Consulting team. "BMW is also usually within the top three, with especially strong scores over the last three years."

While Mercedes-Benz earned praise in the luxury segment, it was Honda that won the coveted title of America's Favorite Full Line Automaker. The win was a surprise for Honda because it was up against some very stiff competition, but it still managed to jump over both Toyota and last year's winner Ford to claim the title.

Whether you prefer Ford, Honda or Mercedes-Benz, if you're looking for a used car in New Jersey, head to NJ Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for drivers of all kinds.

It may not be something that crosses your mind every day, but when you find bird droppings on your car you might be enraged, disgusted, irritated or even amused. If you drive a crimson-colored car, you might encounter this problem more than if your vehicle were green or silver. As it turns out, red stands out most to birds when they are flying overhead and need to unload, according to a recent study conducted by Halfords in the U.K.

The researchers examined 1,140 cars and found crimson, blue and black were the most commonly pooped-upon vehicles, while green, silver and white were less desirable to winged creatures. Of the red cars in the study, 18 percent were marked, while 14 percent of blue cars, 11 percent of black, 7 percent of white, 3 percent of grey and silver and only 1 percent of green cars were targeted. The study revealed little variation depending on location, so drivers should take heed no matter where they live.

"This research does have a serious side because the problem annoys drivers, causes damage to paintwork and affects the value of vehicles," said David Howells, a car cleaning expert. "To protect your bodywork from damage, droppings should be carefully cleaned off as soon as possible."

If you're planning on purchasing a used car from New Jersey Auto Auction, you may want to think twice about what color you would prefer. If you don't mind scraping bird droppings off your car from time to time, feel free to indulge your desire for a cherry red car. Otherwise, you might want to take preventative action and buy something in a shade that birds won't want to deface.

No matter how affordable it may be, car repairs are something many drivers hope to avoid. Still, sometimes having to pay up for a fix is a necessity, but according to the CarMD.com, there are certain states where repairs are a bit more pricey.

Wyoming came in at number one. The website found that motorists paid around an average of $398 for car repairs – 17 percent more than the national average. Perhaps most significantly, drivers paid more for parts, an average of approximately $247.

Experts say the biggest contributing factor to Wyoming's place atop the rankings is the harsh weather and high altitudes that make driving a bit more treacherous. Additionally, since there are many remote locations it can cost more to get parts to each garage. The findings also highlight the importance of taking care of your car.

"With the higher cost for repairs in popular western vacation destinations, our data illustrates the need for summer travelers to make preventative maintenance and vehicle safety checks paramount in their road-trip preparation,"  said Art Jacobsen, vice president of CarMD.

Of course, Wyoming was not alone with being home to pricey car repairs. Utah landed in second place with an average of $378.54 per repair, while California was third-most expensive. Montana and Arizona rounded out the top five.

New Jersey was not included in the top five, so you should head to NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center for your repairs and auto maintenance. This way, you'll be able to save money and help avoid any costly repairs down the line.

Christopher Nolan's theatrical interpretation of Batman, from the origin story of Batman Begins to The Dark Knight, has captivated moviegoers for years. The next installment of the Dark Knight storyline, The Dark Knight Rises, is set to premiere across America on July 20, and in anticipation of the movie's undoubted box office success Chrysler hitched itself to the film's rising star.

The American automaker recently released a commercial for the Chrysler 300 entitled "Imported from Gotham City," according to a blog post by Chrysler marketing chief Olivier Francois. The 60-second spot features a time-lapse video of a crew disassembling a 2012 Chrysler 300S and reassembling it with custom parts to create a superhero-worthy sedan. The new parts include matte black wheels and stealth body panels, and an advanced infotainment system from which the driver can program and control the weapons built in behind the grille. Of course, the 300S features a jet engine with a large flame-throwing exhaust similar to that of the Batmobile.

The entire commercial is set to a score written for The Dark Knight Rises, giving the commercial an epic overtone that feels like the commercial could easily be a part of the movie itself. Don't expect to see Batman behind the wheel of the 300S on the silver screen, however. While Mr. Wayne is likely going to spend much of the film behind the wheel of the Batwing, you can look forward to Catwoman cruising around in a Lamborghini Aventador. A few clips of the exotic car have found their way into the previews.

While the Batwing, the Batmobile and weapon-laden the Gotham City 300S may be out of reach for regular drivers, they can still feel like superheroes by purchasing used cars from New Jersey Auto Auction. Every vehicle on the dealer's lot is CARFAX certified, so drivers know they'll be leaving the lot in a reliable ride.

Most vehicles built in the last year or so have been rolling off the line with some form of infotainment system. This area of automotive technology is one of the fastest growing, but as automakers race to make their vehicles as modern and technologically advanced as possible, they are encountering a few snags along the way.

"Until recently, this type of sophisticated technology was found primarily on high-end models," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates. "However, over the past few years, it has rapidly found its way into the automotive mainstream. For example, in 2012, more than 80 percent of owners indicate that their new vehicle has some form of hands-free technology."

J.D. Power and Associates recently released the results of the annual Initial Quality Study (IQS), and while overall scores have seen a 5 percent improvement, the onboard technology segment took a hit. In fact, in the 26 years the study has been conducted, this is the first time more problems were reported concerning navigation, audio and entertainment than any other area of car ownership.

When it came to hands-free technology, which is designed to reduce distractions behind the wheel, drivers reported these systems commonly fail to recognize commands. The rate of this problem has increased 137 percent in the past four years, making it the most prominent issue in the industry.

"As smartphones become ubiquitous in the lives of consumers and are ever-more sophisticated, expectations about the complementary technologies being offered in new models will only get higher," explained Sargent.

Drivers looking to buy used cars with infotainment systems, built-in navigation or other modern technology do have options. They can visit NJ Public Auto Auction, which carries a wide selection of makes and models, to find the car of their dreams.

As more automakers place an emphasis on improving gas mileage, some have turned to interesting tactics to reduce weight. One of the most popular methods is removing spare tires from new cars, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Taking away spare tires seems like a good idea, experts say. A temporary spare can weigh around 30 pounds, while a full-size spare and the tools that come with it can add 50 pounds to the total weight. When compared to around five or six pounds for the tire sealant kits manufacturers have replaced the tires with, the choice is obvious, especially when you consider reducing a car's weight by 10 percent can increase fuel economy by between 6 and 7 percent. Despite the advantages, there are some who are not sold on the idea.

"Engineers sweat bullets to reduce a car's weight by grams, and this is a way to shed 40 or 50 pounds," Bill Visnic, Edmunds.com senior editor and analyst, told the newspaper. "Not every customer is comfortable with it, though."

Statistics show the average drivers tends to get a flat tire once every 30,000 to 40,000 miles, and although some people may not be comfortable driving without a spare, as a whole drivers have become more confident thanks to improved tire quality and cell phones.

Having properly inflated tires will help remove some of the concern of getting a flat while out on the road. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center can help give you peace of mind behind the wheel. Not only will its skilled technicians check your tires but they can take care of any other issues.

When soldiers return from serving overseas, they need to take care as they readjust to civilian life. The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs reports car accidents are the leading cause of death for veterans in the first few years following their return home. When soldiers are driving vehicles on the battleground, the tactics they use behind the wheel are much different than those needed to drive at home, but it can be difficult for some to adjust the the change, according to Fox News.

"It was a complete culture shock coming from the military back to Houston," former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant Bryan Escobedo told the news source. "For a long time, when I was driving on the highway, I always thought that there was IEDs [improvised explosive devices]. Anything that I saw on the side of the road, I'd swerve all the way."

Many veterans and active-duty soldiers on leave have had similar problems behind the wheel. USAA, a military insurer, told Fox there is about a 13 percent risk of car accidents among post-deployment troops who returned home, and that risk was as high as 36 percent for those who had served three or more tours of duty overseas. However, the odds of getting into a crash drop significantly after about six months of being stateside, the news source indicates.

Returning soldiers looking to purchase used cars in New Jersey can head to NJ State Auto Auction, which carries a wide variety of vehicles. Whether veterans would feel more comfortable in a used Hummer or they want a smaller vehicle, NJ Auto is sure to have the right vehicle to fit the bill.

Before The Walking Dead was a hit AMC TV show, it was a beloved comic – one that is still being written. In honor of the comic's 100th issue, Hyundai got together with creator Robert Kirkman to design a special edition Elantra Coupe Zombie Survival Machine. The real-life car, based on a concept created by Kirkman, will be unveiled at the San Diego Comic-Con next month.

The sketches, which were leaked by AutoBlog, are based on the Elantra, but Kirkman added a few zombie-killing features including barred windows and lights and an undead-impaling spiked plow that make the car look like it came from beyond Thunderdome. In addition to showing off the post-apocalyptic vehicle, Hyundai will be giving away an Elantra GT covered with a vinyl rendition of the cover of issue 100, which was drawn by Charlie Adlard.

"I had a good experience working with Hyundai and Future US last year, and I thought it would be totally awesome if a fan of the comic were able to win a great new car made even cooler with Charlie's artwork," said Kirkman. "Designing the Zombie Survival Machine was just the icing on the cake. I'm very excited to see the amazing job they are doing in turning my doodles and ideas into a truly awesome car. I hope they will let me do a test drive before Comic Con!"

Drivers who want to find used cars in NJ that will be suited for the zombie apocalypse can head to NJ Auto Auction. The dealer has a variety of makes and models to choose from, and each is CARFAX certified, so car shoppers know they'll have a reliable ride to help them escape the hordes should the dead ever walk the earth.

Teen drivers are acting safer behind the wheel, according to a new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The government agency recently released a report that indicates high school students are much safer when it comes to driving and riding in cars with other teens behind the wheel than they were 20 years ago.

In 1991, about 26 percent of teens reported rarely or never wearing their seat belts, but this dropped to 8 percent in 2011. There was a significant decline in the percentage of students who rode in cars with inebriated drivers (40 to 24 percent) and in 2011, only 8 percent reported having gotten behind the wheel after drinking alcohol in the 30 days prior to the study compared to 17 percent in 1997.

"We are encouraged that more of today's high school students are choosing healthier, safer behaviors, such as wearing seat belts, and are avoiding behaviors that we know can cause them harm, such as binge drinking or riding with impaired drivers," said Howell Wechsler, director of CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health. "However, these findings also show that despite improvements, there is a continued need for government agencies, community organizations, schools, parents and other community members to work together to address the range of risk behaviors prevalent among our youth."

While students are safer in many regards when it comes to driving, the report found one in three students had texted or talked on the phone in the 30 days leading up to the study. Parents should talk to their kids about the dangers of distracted driving.

Those looking to buy used cars in New Jersey for their teen drivers can find cars with safety options at NJ Auto Auction. Ever vehicle is CARFAX certified, so parents know their teens will be getting behind the wheel of something reliable. 

If you really want to outdo yourself this Father's Day, getting your siblings, and maybe even Mom, to pitch in for a car for dad could be a great idea. Whether your dad's been driving the same rust bucket around since before you were born, or it's just time for a change, it might be a good idea to take your father shopping for used cars in New Jersey this weekend.

TrueCar.com, an online automotive information resource, recently published its list of the 10 Most Popular Cars for Dads, which includes everything from pickup trucks like the award-winning Ford F-150 to fuel-efficient compact sedans like the Honda Accord. The list isn't based on dream vehicles, but cars and trucks that make sense for a family – and that your dad will enjoy driving.

"Unlike the list of vehicles men prefer, which includes the Porsche 911 in the top spot, the data shows that fathers have traded in speed for practical vehicles with a back seat," said Kirsten Anderssen, senior analyst for TrueCar.com. "We're finding that fathers need a fuel-efficient car for commuting to work and weekend activities."

The Honda Odyssey found its way onto the list, as it's a great choice for a dad with a big family. It was ranked as the best choice for dads with two or more kids, and has been the top-ranking minivan for many years. The Toyota Sienna and Camry made the list, as did the Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata and Chevrolet Silverado. All of theses cars have been on the market for years, so those looking to purchase a used vehicle for dad this Father's Day can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer has a wide variety of makes and models, making it easy to find the right car for you father this year.