To many consumers, buying a car can be a stressful enterprise. It's a big commitment and sometimes people might feel overwhelmed by the amount of options in front of them. A recent survey by CarMax found that women have an especially negative view of buying cars. Although the study showed that many found the process to be a hassle, many of their issues could have been resolved had they gone to New Jersey State Auto Auction.

One of the things that annoyed women the most was that they felt they did not get a fair trade-in value for their car. In fact, 15 percent of respondents said they believe they could have gotten more, and at New Jersey Auto they like would have walked away happier. The business is an AutoTrader.com Trade In Marketplace dealership and its website lets you get an appraisal in a matter of seconds.

"As an authorized Autotrader Trade In Marketplace Dealership, we are equipped to provide an instant quote to Trade or Purchase a customer's used car, with payment right on the spot," said Lazlo Ember, the internet marketing director at the company.

The biggest complaint of all, however, was the efficiency of the process. Specifically, 26 percent of women said that they did not have a fast and easy experience the last time they bought a car, and New Jersey State Auto Auction can solve that problem as well.

Along with a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, those who go to New Jersey Auto can rest easy because each vehicle is Carfax certified, so you know that you are getting a reliable ride.  

Most drivers on the road today are looking to get the best mileage they can, and with gas as expensive as it is, it's hard to blame them. As such, it's easy to see why fuel efficient cars dominated the week in auto news.

• Jay Leno is famous for a lot of things – his early career as a stand up comedian, his venerable talk show and his pronounced chin have all made him an instantly recognizable part of Hollywood, but his large collection of cars has also earned him a great deal of followers.

It should come as no surprise that Leno was one of the first people to buy the new electric Chevrolet Volt, and according to The New York Times' Wheels blog, his experience with the car might lead other consumers to buy it as well. He got the car on December 12, 2010 and drove it around 11,000 miles without ever having to fill it up with gas. Most impressive? Although he has a long list of cars to choose from, he drives the Volt almost every day.

"It's my daily driver," Leno told the Times. "It really is. I commute in it to work every day. My commute, and all my other daily running around, totals less than 35 miles."

• The Chevy Volt is certainly not the only eco-friendly car on the road right now, and it was Honda that actually earned recognition for its fuel-efficient models. The Honda Civic Natural Gas was given the Green Car of the Year at the recent L.A. Auto Show, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The innovative car is the cleanest running vehicle by Environmental Protection Agency standards and gets an impressive 48 miles per gallon. The unique Civic is currently the only mass-produced car that runs on natural gas.

"There is no other vehicle like the Civic Natural Gas on American highways, and this recognition has been a long time coming for Honda," Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal, told the L.A. Times.

• Smaller cars like the Volt and the Civic are not the only models that are looking toward better gas mileage – SUVs are getting on board as well. Honda unveiled its retooled CR-V at the L.A. Auto Show. In addition to its new interior and more powerful engine, the car will get 1 to 4 more miles per gallon than in previous models, according to USA Today.
 

One of the most difficult parts of the holidays is trying to come up with the perfect gift for someone who seemingly has everything. Though it may seem like a tall order, it may not be that hard to shop for the auto enthusiasts out there, especially as more and more people look to keep their cars on the road as long as possible.

According to AutoMD.com there are a few gifts that are well-suited for those looking to make sure that their car can reach 150,000 miles and beyond. One of the smallest, but perhaps most useful, tools in keeping your car running is a tire gauge. If tires are properly inflated, they are less likely to be damaged by rough driving conditions. Not to mention they can also go a long way in keeping your fuel efficiency up.

In a similar vein, you may want to buy the budding mechanic in your life an air compressor to assist them in their tire maintenance. Instead of having to take their car to the local gas station to inflate their tires, this gift will give them the opportunity to do so in the comfort of their own driveway.

A maintenance manual can come in handy for drivers looking to make their car last but sometimes the all-important guide can get lost in the shuffle, which could result in a number of unnecessary trips to the mechanic. If you buy someone the right manual for their car as a gift, the money they save will be thanks enough.

Along with having the right tools to ensure their cars run as long as possible drivers will want to make sure their vehicle gets regular maintenance performed. New Jersey State Auto Auction offers consumers with a total car care center at its Jersey City location so everyone can get the most out of their ride. 

Used cars offer consumers with the opportunity to get behind the wheel of car that is not only reliable but affordable as well. While there are plenty of excellent choices, some options stand above the rest, and Edmunds.com recently unveiled its list of the best used cars for 2011 in a number of different categories.

Hyundai put in a good performance on the list, with two of the manufacturer's models making appearances. In the compact sedan category, the website named the 2004-2009 Elantra as its top pick, and the 2006-2009 Hyundai Azera was chosen as the best large sedan.

The Elantra earned the nod for a number of reasons but it separated itself due to its smooth ride and build quality. Additionally, the writers at Edmunds were swayed by its impressive scores on crash tests, and a fresh 2007 redesign certainly did not hurt either. The Azera was picked because it offers a luxurious look and refined performance while still having an affordable price tag.

Those looking to pick up a used SUV would be wise to turn to one of the most popular models in recent memory. The website picked the 2004-2009 Ford Explorer as the best in the midsize SUV/crossover category due mostly to its impressive towing capacity combined with plenty of seating – including a spacious third row.

When it comes to minivans, the 2004-2009 Honda Odyssey stood out the most. In years past, minivans from Dodge and Chrysler have been the best, but according to Edmunds the Odyssey is now the top pick because of its powerful V-6 engine.

Whether you're looking to get behind the wheel of a used sedan, SUV or minivan, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of options to choose from. Additionally, securing a loan is especially easy as well, as everyone who visits New Jersey Auto is approved regardless of their credit history. 

There are a number of actions that experts recommend consumers take before purchasing a used car. From getting a detailed service history of the car to making sure your credit is in order most of the steps are equally important, but one of the most crucial is going ignored by many would-be drivers. A recent study conducted by LeaseTrader.com found that the number of people who do not test drive their cars has nearly doubled since 2007, The New York Times reports.

The findings seemed to back up similar experiences from dealers and industry insiders. One man, consultant Oren Weintraub, said that even though he strongly urges his customers to test drive a car before buying it, as many as one-third of these drivers decide not to do so. He believes the reason has a lot to do with the fact that people are increasingly sure of what they want.

"Generally these are people who know what they want, whether it’s because they're very brand-loyal or they’ve fallen in love with the styling of a particular model," Weintraub told the Times. "Same goes for buyers who are strictly interested in getting the best deal, and those with limited choices like a big family that needs a nine-passenger vehicle with 4-wheel drive."

While this may be the case, there are still many benefits of a test drive, especially when it comes to a used car. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, there are a few steps you should always follow.

To start, the DMV recommends checking out everything including the mirrors, the seat adjustment controls and storage compartments. As for the drive itself, make sure you test out the car's acceleration on the highway and steering ability most of all.

Of course, visiting a reliable dealer is a great way to ensure you're getting a good deal. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides consumers with numerous makes and models at affordable prices.

Cars, movies and auto racing go hand-in-hand, and this week in auto news saw cars featured prominently in all three.

• For years, many police stations across the country have been using Fords as their primary cars. The manufacturer recently released new versions of the Taurus and Explorer to help meet the unique needs of police forces and Ford is ready to debut them in a very unique way. The new vehicles are going to be the pace cars at the upcomign Ford Championship Weekend races at the Homestead Miami Speedway.

Although this is not the first time that Ford has used its products as the pace cars for an auto racing event, it is the first time that their police vehicles have been involved. It's no wonder why they chose now given the impressive design of the new Explorer and Taurus.

"Both of the Police Interceptor vehicles provide the highest level of safety, performance, durability, driver convenience and comfort, and we’re excited to be able to show off these new vehicles to the millions of fans on site and watching on national television," said Lisa Teed the brand manager for Ford Police Interceptors.

• Car chases play a big role most action movies, and with the next installment of the Mission Impossible series on the way, fans are getting an early glimpse of what they can expect. Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol is set for release on December 21 and will feature an impressive line of BMWs.

Though several of the manufacturer's products will be featured in the film, one of the most prominent will be the futuristic BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, a concept car for a pair of upcoming models.

"The film allows us a wonderful opportunity to showcase not only BMW’s vision for future vehicles but to highlight some of the newest and most popular cars in our current fleet," Trudy Hardy, the manager of Marketing Communications and Consumer Events at BMW of North America.

• Although BMW will feature prominently in the Tom Cruise movie, it is not the only impressive car to be highlighted at the theaters in the coming weeks. In the upcoming movie Tower Heist, Steve McQueen's famous Ferrari 250 GT Lusso will be making an appearance, according to USA Today.

While some people might recognize the classic car, they may notice that it has been changed from its original chestnut brown color to a bright red.

"It just didn't look good brown," Ratner told the publication. "So for the purpose of the movie, we made Steve McQueen's car red."

The Royal Automobile Club recently sponsored a race to find which automaker could come up with the most fuel-efficient vehicle, and despite entrants from some of the biggest names int he business it was an electric vehicle from Gordon Murray Designs that drove away the winner. According to Forbes, the small two-passenger car completed the 57.13 mile course with an impressive 350 miles per gallon.

The Future Car Challenge included entries from Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes, but it likely doesn't surprise some people that Gordon Murray was victorious. The manufacturer has long been dedicated to trying to reduce the weight of cars through innovative means such as replacing steel parts with plastics or composites.

The winning car, dubbed the T.27, is completely electric and gets about 100 miles on a single charge. Though the mileage is comparable to other electric models such as the Nissan Leaf, the T.27's battery is much smaller, meaning it takes less time for it to fully charge, the publication reports. Not to mention, a smaller battery also means a smaller price tag.

Seeing electric cars on the road on a regular basis may still be several years off, but that doesn't mean that motorists can't practice a number of habits to make sure they save on gas. According to Edmunds.com, one of the best ways to save a significant amount of money at the pump is to curb aggressive driving. Actions such as accelerating easily and not braking so harshly can save you up to 37 percent at the pump.

Of course, getting behind the wheel of a fuel-efficient car is a good start as well. New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of gas-saving makes and models all at affordable prices. Sign up now.

As millions of people in the Northeast can attest after last week's October snowstorm, winter is fast approaching. And while there are plenty of things to do around the house to get ready for the blustery winds, mountains of snow and sub-freezing temperatures, there are just as many precautions to take when readying your car for the days ahead. By performing some routine maintenance on your ride before Jack Frost makes a permament appearance you'll save money and time later on.

There are a number of things you can do yourself to make sure your car can make it through the coming months, one of them being checking your tire pressure. Losing pressure can significantly lessen the grip your car has on icy roads and, according to MSNBC, the pressure can drop by one pound per square inch whenever the temperature drops by 10 degrees, so you should stay on top of it.

More than ever you'll want be to be sure to equip your car with an emergency kit. According to the news source, this should include the usual necessities like a tool kit, jumper cables and tire changing equipment but for the winter it should also have items like blankets, coats and gloves.

The best way to make sure that your car is prepared for the treacherous months ahead is to get it inspected by a professional to make sure all its components are up to snuff. In particular, tire treads, fluid levels and battery life are all of the utmost importance.

New Jersey State Auto Auction offers drivers with a full-service car car center that is open to the public. Located in Jersey City, the center provides you with everything you need for the winter including oil changes and new battery installation.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show came to Las Vegas this week, and the event dominated the week in automotive news. The four-day convention attracted several of the world's most popular manufacturers who debuted some new and improved versions of their vehicles.

• Among the most talked-about exhibits at the event was when Honda unveiled some new specs for its Civic coupe, according to USA Today. The company debuted a new version of the car that included a dealer-installed body kit – which featured a new aerodynamic appearance, a lower body and 18-inch wheels. Honda hopes that this will re-invigorate waning interest in the model.

"The Honda Civic was instrumental in the first import-tuner movement in the U.S. during the '80s," Bruce Smith, a Honda vice president, told the publication. "The all-new Civic Si builds on that proud history by offering inspiring performance, improved fuel economy and a great platform for personalization."

• Ford was one of the standout companies that made their way to the SEMA show. In fact, Motor Trend reports that the auto manufacturer had some of the most intriguing cars on the showroom floor. Ford debuted a custom F-350 Super Duty, which was built by Superlift Suspensions to resemble a Matchbox car.

The publication singled out a few of its more enticing features including its bold orange paint job – complete with black and yellow bumpers on the grill – and a heavy-duty roll cage. The F-350 likely brought almost all of the attendees' childhood dreams to life.

• It would not be the SEMA show without some celebrities stopping by and this year's event certainly did not disappoint. Motocross Ricky Carmichael helped kick off the event when he debuted a cutom-built Chevrolet Sonic, which he helped design. According to USA Today, the black and green compact was built to include places to put a wakeboard, mountain bike and other gear.

Carmichael was not the only celebrity to have an impact on the show, however. Reality TV star Jesse James, who is no stranger to customizing cars and motorcycles, made an appearance as well. He was there in part to discuss a series of new racing videos he's releasing, the Las Vegas Sun reports.

Thanksgiving often serves as the unofficial beginning of the holiday season and brings with it an influx of cars on the road as drivers pack up to spend time with their families. But while a recent Allstate survey found that 45 percent of Americans plan on taking a road trip of more than two hours this year, many are unprepared for the dangers they may encounter.

The biggest disconnect the study revealed was that although most drivers have experienced at least four instances of a disabled vehicle, 84 percent of respondents said that they didn't think they would run into any snags this year due to mechanical problems or other issues.

Some mechanical accidents and other potential delay-causing problem are unavoidable but performing regular maintainance can drastically reduce your chances of encountering a completely preventable issue, and according to Allstate, the statistics back it up.

The company's study, which polled about 1,000 drivers over the age of 18, found that the 63 percent of respondents who are on top of routine maintenance experienced an average of 3.7 occurrences of a disabled vehicle, while those who didn't take care of their vehicles regularly encountered an average of 5.7 breakdowns. Conscientious drivers were also significantly less likely to have a dead battery, run out of gas or have their car not start.

If you're getting ready for a road trip this holiday season you may want to make sure your car has had all it's routine maintenance performed. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides drivers with a total car care center located in Jersey City that can perform everything from auto repair to regular check ups.