Category Archives: General Auto News

Honda Hopes to End Traffic Jams

There are few things more frustrating than a traffic jam. Perhaps if everybody paid attention, traffic would move at a smoother clip, but because that's not the case, it can be stop-and-go  for miles. While it might seem like there's no fix to the problem, Honda believes it could have the secret to a more stress-free commute.

Honda began work on a new system with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo, and the company hopes it can help eliminate the behavior that causes traffic jams. Specifically, scientists are trying to curtail the practice of sudden stops and starts by providing drivers with detailed information including acceleration and deceleration patterns, which will hopefully allow motorists to drive more smoothly.

The initial findings were encouraging, according to Honda. Scientists discovered from the first round of testing that the system increases the average speed by around 23 percent, which in turn helped boost fuel economy by around 8 percent.

Although traffic jams can be a frustrating daily occurrence, they are also more damaging than potentially making you late for work, experts say. In particular, Honda points out that congestion can cause an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and is responsible for an increased instance of rear-end collisions.

While avoiding congestion and driving smartly can be an important part of an enjoyable experience behind the wheel, a lot depends on which car you're driving as well. If you're looking for a used car in New Jersey to fit the bill, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models, there are plenty of cars to choose from.

Best Cars for Families with Triplets

Triplets are a handful and finding a car that caters to a trio of toddlers can be tough, especially if you can't bear the idea of driving a minivan. Cars.com spends a lot of time testing car seats in a number of models, and they recently published a list of the vehicles that cater to families with at least three small children. This does not mean the safety seats are crammed in so tight you can barely shut the door. To qualify for the list, there needed to be enough space between the seats for a child to reach in and unbuckle the seat belt.

The list includes sedans as well as SUVs, so families don't have to settle for the stereotypical van. The 2011 Chrysler 200 and 300 were the only sedans to make the grade. These cars were designed to be luxurious with an economic price tag. Those looking for used cars in NJ can find a used Chrysler 200 for around $15,000, according to Edmunds.com. Other vehicles with room for three kids in the back include the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2011 Nissan Murano, 2012 Honda Pilot and 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser.

Families with more than three kids who need safety seats may need to bite the bullet and purchase a minivan, or they can seek out larger SUVs. Many new vehicles offer seven passenger seating, which could make them a good fit for your growing family.

Whether you want something small like a Chrysler 200 or a larger Honda Odyssey, New Jersey State Auto Auction will have the perfect ride for you and your family. Every used vehicle is CARFAX certified, so motorists know they're driving away in a reliable ride.

Youngsters Create 358-MPG Car

With gas prices still hovering around $4 per gallon, drivers are looking for ways to get the most mileage out of their car, and some innovative designers recently created a car that gets an astonishingly high number of miles to the gallon. The only problem? None of them are old enough
to drive. A group of junior high school students in Missouri unveiled a ride that gets an impressive 358 mpgs, FoxNews.com reports.

The vehicle, designed by seventh and eighth graders, won a competition that pitted them against high school students. The unique single-seat car weighs just about 100 pounds and is powered by an engine typically reserved for motorized bicycles.

The project was led by industrial technology teacher Marcus Reynolds, and he and his students are not quite done yet. Reynolds hopes to enter the unusual car in the prestigious Shell Eco Marathon, which would put them alongside college students from around the world, according to the website.

While the car certainly won't make it into dealerships, motorists can take a cue from Reynolds and his students and do their best to try to conserve gas while out on the road. There are a number of easy ways they can reduce fuel consumption, including making sure tires are properly inflated, driving at the speed limit and using cruise control when taking long drives on the highway.

Auto maintenance is also a crucial component of increasing your gas mileage. Luckily, New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center provides an easy option for motorists looking for talented and knowledgeable mechanics. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, the center can provide everything from general upkeep to bigger repairs.

Go Green with These Used Cars

Many motorists are choosing to buy green cars for their next big purchase, but people hoping to find a quality fuel-efficient used car in New Jersey may not know where to start. With pre-owned vehicles being more reliable than ever before, there are many suitable options for drivers looking for something eco-friendly while also saving some money, according to GreenCarReports.com.

The Toyota Prius is at the top of the list, mainly because it's so plentiful. The iconic hybrid was one of the first of its kind, and motorists can likely find a quality used version pretty easily. Specifically, experts suggest buying the 2004 to 2009 models, which get around 46 miles per gallon.

Though hybrids are often viewed as the most eco-friendly and fuel-efficient cars, there are some other used options that can be just as kind to the environment. In particular, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI comes to mind, according to the website. The diesel-powered vehicle gets around 34 miles per gallon and has greatly improved its emissions in recent years.

Smaller cars may be the best option when it comes to fuel efficiency, but sometimes it may not be the most practical choice. Drivers who need more room but still want to go green may want to pick the 2009 through 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. It's big, powerful and spacious yet still gets about 21 miles per gallon, certainly not bad for a large SUV.

Whether you're looking for a hybrid SUV, compact car or spacious sedan, New Jersey State Auto Auction will likely have you covered. With a wide variety of makes and models all available for affordable prices, there will be something for everyone.

The Best Sporty, Affordable Used Cars

From a practical car to take to and from work to a larger vehicle capable of transporting a lot of people, motorists buy used cars for a number of different purposes. Sometimes people want to add a new car to their collection that will be solely used for cruising. However, they'll probably want to spend as little money as possible on their leisurely new ride, and according to the Philadelphia Inquirer there are several options that fit the bill.

At the top of the list is the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata. This small sports car has been a popular option for years, and for good reason. A 2009 model with around 50,000 miles will go for just around $19,725 and will be the perfect sporty addition to anybody's fleet. Additionally, it gets around 28 miles per gallon, so it won't break the bank when it comes time to fill up.

Along with the Miata, the Inquirer says the 2006 Honda S2000 provides another sporty, yet affordable option. Analysts say it comes in a little bit higher at $19,900, but it's certainly worth it. The S2000 offers drivers significantly more horsepower than the Miata, and thanks to the fact Honda doesn't make the S2000 anymore, you'll have to go used.

If the Miata and S2000 are a bit too small, the newspaper suggests opting for the 2007 Nissan 350 Z. It's the biggest, most powerful car in the group but will run you just about $19,500 for a model with around 70,000 miles.

Regardless of the reason you may be looking for a used car in NJ, New Jersey State Auto Auction likely has the model for you. With plenty of options to choose from, you'll drive away happy.

Gas Prices Fall, Still High In Some Places

Although gas prices experienced a sharp rise throughout the first few months of the year, it looks like there is some relief in sight. The Energy Department's weekly findings showed there was a nationwide drop in gas prices, with an average gallon of gas costing around $3.87. The figure is lower than this time last year, according to the Los Angeles Times reports.

The drop marks the first time in more than two years that the price of gas was less than at the same time the previous year. It also is important given there had been considerable worry there would be no end to the rising prices.

Still, it's not a complete cause for celebration. Although the nationwide average fell 5.2 cents, there are still some places where the price per gallon is especially high. In California, for instance, the average is hovering around $4.20 per gallon, and although it's down from $4.37 earlier this year, it's still significantly higher than the rest of the country.

Additionally, the slight drop in prices may not change drivers' desire to switch to more fuel-efficient cars or change their driving behavior in order to improve their mileage. People looking to improve their efficiency should make sure their tires are properly filled at all times and try to put less strain on their car when they're on the road.

Furthermore, anybody looking to find a fuel-efficient used car in New Jersey may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, from compact cars to SUVs, there's the perfect ride for every consumer.

Consumer Reports Details Feelings About Auto Maintenance

Having a car that's in need of repairs can be enough of a struggle, but going to get the problem fixed can often be difficult as well. Consumer Reports recently released a study detailing exactly what bothers drivers the most in terms of auto maintenance, and the results shed some light on what drivers should do if they're in need of repairs.

For the most part, motorists are content with the service they received when they went to a garage, with about 75 percent saying they were either "completely satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the results. However, the remaining quarter who were not so happy often cited high prices as the reason for their discontent.

Additionally, some respondents said the quality of the fix was not what they expected. In fact, around 28 percent of people who were unsatisfied with their experience said they didn't believe the problem was entirely corrected. Though this might be partly on the mechanic, experts say it is also reliant on the driver to make sure everything works before leaving the garage.

"Make an issue of it right there," Jim Travers, an associate editor with Consumer Reports Autos, told the MSNBC.com. "Don’t leave before you’re comfortable that you’ve been taken care of properly. If you leave, you start to diminish any chance that you’re going to get recourse."

Motorists likely won't have to worry about being unhappy with their experience at New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center. Not only can drivers visit its team of talented mechanics for general maintenance, but they can also address more serious issues that may be affecting how their car runs.

No Surprise Here: Men, Women Differ Over Cars

There have been many long-held assumptions about the differences between men and women when it comes to buying cars. While their preferences may still be dissimilar, a recent study from TrueCar.com found the once wide gap between the sexes has shrunk a bit over the last year.

Perhaps least surprising was that men made up the greatest percentage of buyers of domestic-made heavy trucks and SUVs. Specifically, 73.5 percent of GMC owners were male, and 72 percent of people who bought Dodges were also men. There was a similar proportion for Land Rover, Ford and Chevrolet as well.

"Female car buyers really gravitated toward smaller, more fuel-efficient cars and crossovers," said Kristen Andersson, Senior Analyst at TrueCar.com. "It was the complete opposite for male buyers, who preferred either a fast and sporty vehicle with distinctive curb appeal or a big vehicle, like a large truck or SUV."

The most female-heavy brand was MINI, with around 46.2 percent of buyers being women. Nissan came in second at 45.7 percent while Kia was right behind at 45.6 percent. Honda and Mitsubishi rounded out the top five.

Perhaps most interesting was the disparity between male and female buyers when it came to flashy, high performance vehicles. In particular, a whopping 92.5 percent of Ferrari buyers were men, with Bentley, Maserati and Porsche all experiencing similarly high levels.

Regardless of whether you're a man or a woman, everyone can agree on the fact that a car's quality trumps all other aspects. Anybody looking for a reliable used car in New Jersey should head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, there's something for everyone.

California: The Best State for Green Cars

There has been a nationwide push to drive more eco-friendly cars, and now as gas prices continue to increase, the emphasis is even greater. While many people are trying to go green behind the wheel, some cities have been doing a better job than others, and Cars.com recently revealed which are the best.

At the top of the list was San Francisco, which probably won't surprise many people. California is often seen as one of the more progressive states in the country, and it looks like Cars.com's figures back up the assumption, at least when it comes to buying an eco-friendly vehicle.

"There's a perception that Californians are more eco-conscious, and our car shopping data shows that's true," said Cars.com editor-in-chief Patrick Olsen. "With more charging stations than any other state and dedicated car-pool lanes, it's easy to understand why manufacturers typically choose California as the place to launch their new 'green' vehicles."

Although San Francisco and five other California towns made it into the top 10, the Golden State is not the only place where going green has become especially popular. At the number two spot was Madison, Wisconsin, and Portland, Oregon, came in at number four.

Even if you don't live in one of the top cities for green cars, that doesn't mean you still can't save gas. If you're looking for fuel-efficient used cars in New Jersey, you should head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of makes and models. Whether you're looking to downsize to a compact vehicle or want to get behind the wheel of an SUV, there's something for everyone.

Most car buyers factor gas prices in their decision

Many people have speculated that high gas prices are having a significant impact on which cars consumers are buying, and results of a recent survey show just how true that assumption is. Research from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com found 66 percent of new car shoppers in the first quarter of 2012 thought about buying a different car due to the price of gas.

The findings should not be that surprising. The same survey found that in just a span of a few months, consumer's attitudes toward gas prices worsened significantly. In the fourth quarter of 2011, around 46 percent of respondents expected gas prices to rise in the next 30 days. In the first quarter of 2012, that number rose to 76 percent. Though it seems like a dire situation, the fact that cars are getting better gas mileage than ever before may lessen the blow.

"The reality of today's economy means that many shoppers are factoring in fuel efficiency and gas prices toward the top of things they consider when choosing their next new car,"  said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for kbb.com. "Lucky for them, each year auto manufacturers work increasingly hard to improve fuel economy in their new models, with many gasoline-powered vehicles now achieving 40 mpg or higher."

In addition to looking toward a fuel-efficient new vehicle, some consumers may want to help offset the high cost of fuel by purchasing a quality used car at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, including cars with high gas mileage, there is the perfect vehicle for everyone.