Category Archives: Toyota

The Best Used Cars For Young Drivers

Young drivers have a lot to learn on the roads. One of the most important lessons involves safety, but this goes beyond defensive driving habits and fast reaction times. Motorists – especially relatively new ones who face a high risk for accidents – must also prioritize getting behind the wheel of used cars with plenty of effective safety features. 

What used cars should have
Consumer Reports recently released a list of the best used cars for teens. The vehicles all sell for less than $10,000 and come equipped with some of the best safety features on the market, making the automobiles smart choices for any family. 

According to the source, some of the most important features include electronic stability control. The main benefit of ESC is that it keeps the car on the road in situations where a rollover may be possible, which is often the most dangerous type of accident. In addition to secure seat belts, ESC is one of the most important amenities a car can have. 

Buyers should also look for vehicle with side and curtain air bags. Updated brakes and a strong frame are also important aspects to consider when shopping around. 

The best cars for young drivers 
So what are the top cars? According to Consumer Reports, Ford is a solid automaker to consider. The 2009 to 2011 Ford Focus, for instance, is a fuel-efficient vehicle loaded with amenities, but it stops short of offering overly distracting features. A Ford Fusion from 2010 to 2012 could also be a smart choice. Consumer Reports noted that this is a straightforward vehicle that is capable of getting the job done without overcomplicating the driving experience. 

Other options include the 2010 to 2011 Kia Soul, the 2006 to 2014 Hyundai Sonata, and the 2004 to 2012 Toyota RAV4. Each of these models provides drivers with the safety and performance features they need to handle the roads while also offering low price points. 

If you're looking for quality used cars at low prices, check out the selection at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans, many of which are equipped with top-notch safety features. Many of the automobiles on sale have a sticker price of under $10,000 as well, giving young drivers and their families many opportunities to save money without giving up quality. 

Study Shows Hands-Free Technology Is Still A Distraction

Taking your eyes off the road for one second – whether it's to read a text message or check out the hottie in the car next to you – can be a costly mistake. No matter how minor, car accidents can result in physical pain and financial burden, which is why many automakers and electronic devices have hands-free features aimed at keeping the focus on the road ahead. 

Distracted driving remains a problem
Even with so many companies trying to find ways to keep drivers' hands on the wheel, distracted driving continues to plague motorists. Unfortunately, not all of these efforts have the intended results. A recent report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that hands-free technologies may actually increase distractions. That is despite the fact that three-fourths of drivers think the systems are safe to use, according to the study. 

Technology is a double-edged sword
Voice technologies are intended to help drivers by allowing them to keep their hands on the wheel. However, putting your mind to other tasks instead of motoring can be just as dangerous as physically controlling the devices. 

"Technologies used in the car that rely on voice communications may have unintended consequences that adversely affect road safety," said Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "The level of distraction and the impact on safety can vary tremendously based on the task or the system the driver is using." 

While some of the programs caused high levels of distraction, there were a few that were relatively safer. Entune from Toyota, for example, bested its peers. AAA stated that this technology was even easier and less distracting for drivers than listening to an audiobook. Of courses, none of these options were as safe as just driving. 

Make smart shopping decisions
Distractions are always going to be present on the roads. However, you can go the extra mile to ensure you stay focused by making smart decisions during the car-buying process. For example, make sure you are surveying all of your options by using a facility like New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans, so you'll be able to look at a ton of makes and models that may fit your needs. This will enable you to select the one that will be the safest on the roads. 

Toyota Is Tops For Used Car Brands

When you’re shopping for a used car, the brand of the available models, as well as its reputation, will likely be an important factor. While your opinion of certain automakers may be colored by past experiences, peer reviews or other outside factors, there are a few trends that shed some light on what the best options are for used car shoppers.

Recently, Consumer Reports released a list of the best used cars, and its unbiased ratings placed Toyota at the forefront. In the report judging used cars from 2004 to 2013, the Japanese brand managed to place 11 vehicles among the top options. In fact, Toyota even put at least one of its vehicles in each budget and almost every segment, proving that it could be the right choice for any type of driver.

Among the top inclusions were the 2004-2007 Toyota Prius, the 2005-2007 Toyota Matrix, the 2004 Toyota Highlander V6, and the 2006 and 2008 Toyota RAV4.

Consumer Reports also noted that the Toyota Camry was one of the best options for sedans, especially for drivers looking for cars for between $15,000 and $20,000. The 2011-2012 Camry, as well as the 2010-2011 Camry Hybrid, were named as stellar choices for this budget range.

Regardless of what kind of used car you’re looking for, you may be able to find the right fit at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans available for purchase, and many of the options come equipped with the impressive quality and safety features you’ll be searching for. The facility also has its own financing department, which can help you find a vehicle that fits your budget and won’t overload you with auto loans.

Super Bowl Ads Pay Off For Car Brands

This year's Super Bowl may have brought the spotlight to the championship-winning Seattle Seahawks, but the commercials that aired during the big game garnered plenty of attention for different brands as well. Automakers were among the big winners from the event, and a few manufacturers managed to see immediate bumps in publicity thanks to their catchy ads. 

AutoTrader.com conducted a survey to determine which companies made the biggest impact with their ads. Ford and Chevrolet had the most memorable commercials of the night, but that did not necessarily translate to searches. In that regard, Maserati emerged as the winner, as more than one-fifth of viewers recalled its ad and it saw a big jump in Internet searches in the hours after the Super Bowl. 

There were a few other brands whose ads inspired some prospective car shoppers to consider different makes and models. Toyota was on top in that category, as 44 percent of viewers said they were much more or somewhat more likely to look into purchasing a Toyota in the future. Audi, Jeep and Honda also scored well with drivers. 

"While generating a significant amount of buzz leading up to and during the game is the primary opportunity for Super Bowl advertisers, our research shows that impact doesn't end one the final whistle is blown," said Rick Wainschel, the vice president of automotive insights for AutoTrader.com. "Creating a spot that consumers remember and that drives lifts in brand consideration is the ultimate goal for automakers …" 

Anytime a commercial piques your interest about a vehicle, you may want to dig deeper into your options. This process can start at NJ State Auto, which has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that may be just the right fit for you. 

Toyota Camry Remains America’s Best-Selling Midsize Vehicle

There are a few vehicles that have continued to be among the most popular choices in the auto industry, despite the passing of time and technological advancements. Even with a constantly evolving landscape, the Toyota Camry has remained atop the standings as the best-selling midsize car in the U.S.

The sedan was the most popular vehicle in the country for the 12th year in a row, selling more than 408,000 units in 2013. That significantly outpaced the second-place Honda Accord, which saw a 10 percent increase in sales throughout the year. While the Camry only saw sales grow by about 1 percent compared to the year before, that was enough to put it at the front of the pack yet again. 

Much of the success of the Camry, and the entire Toyota brand as a whole, can be attributed to the overall success of the auto industry. In total, Toyota sold more than 2.2 million vehicles in 2013, which was an increase of 7.4 percent from the year before. That is good news for all kinds of car buyers, as plenty of used Toyotas will likely be entering the market in the near future – if they haven't already. 

"The auto industry was a consistent bright spot in the economic recovery throughout 2013," said Bill Fay, a general manager at Toyota. "We expect the economy will continue to gain strength in 2014, with car sales rising to pre-recession levels." 

As the economy improves and used cars become more affordable, drivers have more options to choose from. They don't have to wait too long to find the ideal automobile, however, as there are several locations that are well-stocked with high-quality machines. 

Anyone looking for a vehicle, whether it's the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord or other popular automobile, can almost certainly find what they're looking for at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, all of which offer great value for drivers. 

Automakers Land On List Of Best Global Brands

The annual list of the 100 Best Global Brands featured several staples of the auto industry. Released by Interbrand, a consultancy firm, the list highlights the biggest names in all major sectors, but the 2013 version saw 14 vehicle manufacturers land one of the coveted spots. 

Leading the way was Toyota. The Japanese brand was the highest-ranking automaker, nabbing the 10th overall spot. That is the same ranking it held last year, despite increasing its brand value by 17 percent since then. Toyota was also rated as the top auto brand on the list of Best Global Green Brands, underscoring its commitment to alternative-fuel vehicles. 

In fact, many companies within the auto industry posted impressive gains. Porsche had the most significant increase – about 26 percent – but manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Ford and Hyundai also had a large growth in value. Other automakers to crack the list include Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Honda, which landed at 11th, 12th and 20th place, respectively. 

The brands that performed well on the 2013 list did so because of solid sales and impressive advancements – both things that are reflected in the pool of used cars for sale. As automakers introduce state-of-the-art models, higher-quality used cars go up for sale as owners upgrade, allowing drivers on a budget to cash in on these great options. 

If you're ready to take the leap with a vehicle from Toyota, Mercedes-Benz or any other automaker, consider checking out the options at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot boasts hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that provide affordable and high-quality options for drivers who want to invest in used cars. 

New List Selects The Best Used Cars For 2013

Sorting through the many used cars for sale to find the best option isn't the easiest undertaking for drivers. With so many makes and models to choose from, it can be overwhelming to attempt to select the right one, which is why Edmunds.com compiled a list of The Best Used Cars of 2013

"There are a lot of popular cars on this list, and that's not a surprise," said Scott Oldham, the editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com. "Wider availability of a particular vehicle almost always translates to more competitive prices and better value for used car shoppers." 

Leading the way with four inclusions each were  Honda and Toyota. For Honda, the Fit was named the best used subcompact sedan, while the Accord was named the best used coupe, the CR-V was the top pre-owned compact SUV and the Odyssey was rated the top used minivan. The Toyota Avalon was named the No. 1 used large sedan, the Highlander was the top midsize SUV, the Tacoma was the best compact truck and the hybrid category was dominated by the Prius.

Ford was next with three selections – the Fusion, which was the best midsize sedan, the F-150, which was the best large truck, and the Mustang GT, selected as the top performance car. 

All of the models considered were produced from 2006 to 2011, providing many options for drivers looking for the right model car. 

Whether you're looking for well-known brands like Honda, Toyota or Ford or are open to simply finding the best vehicle for your needs, you can find a future ride at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The auction lot has a wide selection of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, any one of which could act as your next vehicle. 

Toyota Sells Its 10 Millionth Camry

Toyota has a slew of popular models available for any kind of driver, but the Camry continues to be one of the most popular for the automaker. In fact, the Toyota Camry is one of the biggest sellers across the U.S., and it recently reached a milestone that few ever see – selling its 10 millionth model.

The Camry, which was first introduced in the U.S. 30 years ago, was the country's top-selling car for the past 11 years. Despite the range of Toyota vehicles, this sedan accounts for nearly 20 percent of all of the automaker's cars sold on American soil. In total, there are about 6.4 million Camrys still on the road – including 773 models that were sold in its first year of operation. 

"We couldn't be more excited about Camry's 10 millionth sale in the U.S.," said Bob Carter, the senior vice president of automotive operations at Toyota Motor Sales. "With the support of so many loyal customers, Camry has truly become part of the country's fiber. For seven generations, Toyota dealers have also been instrumental in getting Americans behind the wheel of a Camry. Camry is definitely helping Toyota 'Go Places.'" 

The Camry has been more than just a commercial success – it is a hit with critics and car experts as well. J.D. Power and Associates ranked the vehicle as the No. 1 midsize passenger car for 2013, touting its continuously high resale value and reliability. 

Whether you're on the hunt for a Camry, a different kind of Toyota or any other vehicle, you can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction to find just the right ride. The auction lot has plenty of pre-owned, CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that could be the perfect option for your next automobile. 

Teen Vogue Teams Up With Toyota To Empower Young Drivers

Teen Vogue is partnering with Toyota to recognize Distracted Driving Awareness Month this April. The two companies will work together to maybe shed light on the dangers of distracted driving, especially teenage girls, and aim to inspire more young people to drive safely on the roads. 

Although cars are constantly being redesigned with improved safety features, other technologies like cell phones and music players continue to provide a source of distraction. Issues, such as having noisy passengers in the car or trying to multitask while driving, also contribute to an average of seven teens between the ages of 16 and 19 dying in car accidents every day. 

"We are thrilled to partner with Toyota on this important initiative," said Jason Wagenheim, vice president and publisher of Teen Vogue. "Teen Vogue's influential young readers are the perfect ambassadors not only to participate in this initiative, but also to help build awareness and educate their peer groups on the importance of driver safety. Toyota, with the success of their ongoing work in this arena, is the ideal partner." 

The dual campaign will center on providing driving tips for young people as well as reaching out to parents to inspire them to teach safe habits. Teens can even take a pledge to practice focused driving at all times and do their best to remain safe while behind the wheel. 

Young drivers who have proven themselves to be responsible may be ready to have a car of their own. Places like the New Jersey Auto Auction have a variety of CARFAX certified used vehicles that are safe and ready to drive, making it the perfect stop for parents and teens shopping around for their next ride.