Subaru Tops Consumer Reports Automaker Report Card

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Posted in General Auto News

The Consumer Reports automaker report card is not set to hit newsstands until March 6, but the publication gave an early glimpse at its scores, and a first time company made it to the top of the list. Subaru came in with the highest score of 75 thanks in large part to a fleet of redesigned models.

The score is two points higher they last year and can be chalked up to new looks for the Impreza, Legacy and Outback. In fact, the 2012 Impreza was also named as the publication's top pick in the small-sedan class segment.

There were also some shake-ups below Subaru. Honda had nailed down the top place on the list last year, but it fell all the way to fourth this year. Conversely, Mazda landed in second place after jumping five spots from last year's seventh place finish. Toyota, which always has a strong showing, was in third. Though Japanese automakers dominated, experts say they should be on the lookout for American and European challengers.

"While Japanese automakers still hold the top five spots, their lead is shrinking," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports Automotive Test Center. "In some of Honda's and Toyota's recently redesigned models, cost-cutting has become more noticeable."

Whether you're looking to pick up a used Subaru or are more loyal to Ford or Chevy, New Jersey State Auto Auction likely has the car for you. With a wide variety of makes and models, all at affordable prices, there's something for everyone. Not only that, but with guaranteed credit approval, getting a loan is as easy as ever.

How to Tell When Brake Pads Should Be Replaced

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Posted in How To

Brake pads provide both friction and a cushion to help bring your car to a safe stop without wearing down the other components of the brake system. They are typically made of a metal mixture, although some high-performance vehicles may be equipped with ceramic brake pads. These auto parts are designed to wear down over time, and it is important to keep an eye on them. If you wait too long to replace worn brake pads, you risk damaging the brake rotors and the calipers, which could require more expensive repairs to get your brakes working well once more.

You can easily inspect the thickness of the brake pads in most cars by peering through the wheels. Some vehicles may not provide a convenient access window, but most brake pads come with built-in warning systems. Once they wear down enough, a small metal piece will become exposed. This causes a high-pitched squealing sound when the brakes are applied. When you hear this noise, you'll want to take your car to an auto maintenance professional to have the brake pads replaced. It is important to change the pads sooner rather than later, as allowing them to wear further can damage the brake system.

This is a project that gearheads can typically tackle on their own, but other drivers may want to leave the job to the professionals at New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center. The automotive experts at this service center, located in Jersey City and open to the public, can replace the brake pads to help keep your car safe on the road.

New Cars Offering Fewer Options

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Automakers are offering fewer choices when it comes to purchasing new cars, and although the companies say it's with the best interests of the consumers in mind, it may limit the options available to buyers. Instead, prospective drivers may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction and check out a wide variety of used cars to get what they really want.

The trend of limiting options is one that has spread to many manufacturers, USA Today reports. In particular, the new Buick Vernao is only available in 18 combinations of trims and other options. As for the Volkswagen Passat, you may have been able to order in 148 versions of the car in previous years, but now it's only at 15.

Some industry insiders say the new guidelines cut down on complexity, which makes the car-buying process a bit easier. However, others are not quite as optimistic when it comes to the new policy because, with few options for customization, they may get an excess of features.

"You end up buying things you don't want or need in order to get things you do want or need," John O'Dell, a senior editor for car research site Edmunds.com, told the publication.

Although many automakers are embracing the trend, such is not the case for Porsche. The luxury brand caters to a crowd the demands the ability to customize their car, and company officials say that limiting their ability to do so may actually slow down production.

With limited options for some new cars, you may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers enough makes and models to suit the needs of even the most discerning shopper.

Car From “Otis” Video Up For Auction

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

Though Kanye West and Jay-Z made headlines last summer for their hit album Watch the Throne, several months later the star of one of their videos is getting most of the attention. The $350,000 Maybach that was featured prominently in the video for "Otis" is set to go up for auction, and experts say it may fetch a pretty hefty sum, according to Autoblog.

Aside from playing a significant role in the video, the car has a number of other features that make it especially appealing to collectors. Most notably, it is gutted almost down to the frame, something that both Kanye and Jay-Z take care of in the minutes of the video. Even with all the trappings removed, the car's pop culture significance could still bring in around $100,000 when it goes up for sale, the website reports.

The person who ends up taking home the Maybach will be doing much more than just adding a one-of-a-kind luxury car and piece of music history to their collection – they will also be doing a good deed for charity. The proceeds of the sale will be going to help Save the Children, an organization dedicated to helping kids around the world.

Kanye and Jay-Z are not the only ones using an auction to get rid of a used car. New York governor Andrew Cuomo is doing the same. He is taking a surplus of 500 state vehicles and putting them up for auction online, according to the New York Daily News.

Although not everyone can get behind the wheel of a famous car, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of used vehicles that will make you feel like a million bucks. With a wide variety of makes and models, there is something for everyone.

Congress to Vote on Requiring Rear-View Cameras in All New Cars

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Posted in Auto Industry News

Rear-view cameras have become more common in vehicles since they first appeared on the market in high-end luxury vehicles and SUVs, but they will soon be in more cars. The New York Times reports that federal auto safety regulators have decided to require the cameras in all new vehicles by 2014. This measure was first proposed in 2010, and it is expected to go to final vote in Congress this week.

"We haven't done anything else to protect pedestrians," Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety in Washington, told the Times. "This is one thing we can and should do."

Each week, an average of two children are killed and another 48 are injured because drivers cannot see them as they are backing up, according to Kids and Cars, the nonprofit organization that first drew Congress's attention to these types of safety issues. The hope is that having the cameras in more cars will reduce the number of unnecessary accidents.

Consumer Reports states that every vehicle has a rear blind spot, the area directly behind the car and below the rear window, which can range from 25 feet for a minivan and up to 50 feet for a pickup truck. It may be easy to see an adult walking behind the vehicle, but small children could be standing upright 24 feet away from the car and drivers would have a hard time noticing.

Some new vehicles are equipped with proximity sensors that increase beep frequencies when nearing an object, but they do not define whether the object is a person.

Drivers who want to get behind the wheel of a used SUV or luxury sedan that is already equipped with a backup camera can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. NJ Auto offers a wide variety of makes and models, and every car is CARFAX certified, so consumers know they're driving away in a safe, reliable ride.

Detroit’s AutoRama Brings Together Car Lovers of All Kinds

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Posted in General Auto News

It may not have the name recognition of the Detroit Auto Show, but that does not mean the city's annual AutoRama is any less popular. The event kicked off in the city's Cobo Center over the weekend and featured some of the biggest crowds in the show's 60-year history, The Detroit News reports.

Although events such as the Detroit and Chicago Auto Shows feature some of the latest cars set to hit the market, things are a little bit different at AutoRama. Instead, the focus is squarely on unique rides ranging from hot rods to trucks to customized low riders. Though attendance figures were not available for Saturday, Friday night attracted an impressive 20,000 auto enthusiasts.

There's a wide variety of attendees as well, according to the newspaper. While the upstairs may features flashy more attractive vehicles, the lower floor is home to used cars that have seen their fair share of miles over the years. But that's just fine for Cleveland, Ohio, resident Rodney Moore.

"Down here it's an entirely different atmosphere than up on the main floor," he told the news source. "It's like upstairs is where all the beautiful people are, while this is where the people who love the smell of burning rubber like to hang out."

Whether or not you can make it to events like AutoRama, you should not be denied the security of a quality used car. New Jersey State Auto Auction is just the place to go for such a ride, as it offers plenty of makes an models at affordable prices. And all products are CARFAX certified so you know you're getting a reliable vehicle.

Cars of Movie History

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

The Academy Awards honored some of the best actors in the business on Sunday night, and although the spotlight was on the human players, General Motors did not pass up the opportunity to tout its impact on cinematic history. The venerable auto manufacturer has long had an impact on movies, and this year was no different.

The most well-known current movies to feature GM products are the Transformers franchise. These three films have prominently included classic American-made cars – most notably a yellow Chevrolet Camaro. The most recent movie, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, was even up for three Academy Awards including Best Visual Effects.

In previous years, classic movies such as American Graffiti, Batman and even Smokey and the Bandit all had GM cars prominently included in the plot. It's no surprise that vehicles had such a significant role in cinematic history, according to  Elliot Wilhelm, the film curator for the Detroit Institute of Arts.

"Cars have a lot in common with movies, and there is an often an emotional connection between the audience and the featured car," he said. "You often hear audible groans or see cringes form the audience when a beautiful car is destroyed in a movie."

While you may not be able to get behind the wheel of the Batmobile or a Camaro that transforms into an alien-fighting robot, New Jersey State Auto Auction can still offer you a variety of used cars that are out of this world. With plenty of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone. Additionally, thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, getting a loan is easier than ever before.

Check Fluid Levels for Safe Spring Driving

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Posted in How To

Spring is just around the corner, and drivers need to start thinking about de-winterizing their vehicles. This is one step many may forget, but it is important to make sure a vehicle did not suffer any damage during the harsh winter months. Cleaning the car can be a good place to start, as it can make the vehicle gleam like new. Plus, removing all the road salt residue and debris that may have accumulated over the winter will help preserve the paint job.

The spring is also a good time to check the oil, transmission, steering, coolant and brake fluids. Oil should be a clear, golden color. If you remove the dipstick and the fluid is dirty or dark in color, you may want to have the oil changed. Low levels could indicate it's time for a change as well.

This also holds true for other liquids in your vehicle. Transmission fluid can be a few different colors, typically green or red, but if it has a rusty hue, you may need to have the system flushed. Coolant, which is typically green, can also be other bright colors, such as pink, blue or yellow. If you see this fluid on your driveway, you may have a coolant leak. This should be addressed immediately to avoid overheating the engine.

Drivers can take their cars to New Jersey Auto Auction's Total Car Care center for routine tuneups. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, this automotive service center can handle any maintenance and repairs your car may need to run smoothly this spring. Even if you're not sure whether it's time to get the oil changed, the experts at NJ Auto will know what your car needs.

How to Improve Gas Mileage as Fuel Prices Rise

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Posted in How To

With many analysts predicting the average price of gas may hit $4 a gallon in the near future, it's more important than ever for drivers to be as fuel-efficient as possible. Though cars have improved gas mileage over years past, there are still a number of ways you can help get the most out of your car.

"There are several easy things drivers can do to stretch each tank of gas and find the lowest fuel prices when it is time to fill up," said Marshall L. Doney, the AAA national vice president of automotive, financial services and e-Business.

Among the easiest ways to save on gas is to make sure your tires are properly inflated. Still, despite the known benefits of having tires filled to the right levels, only 17 percent of drivers have all four tires sufficiently inflated. To check the proper levels, look at the manual or on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb, AAA says.

How you drive can have a significant impact on how much you spend at the pump as well. For example, driving at or around the speed limit can save you a substantial amount. The U.S. Department of Energy found that for every 5 mph driven over the speed limit it's like you're paying 24 cents more a gallon.

Similarly,  going easy on the brake and gas pedals will save money as well. By not starting and stopping so harshly you could improve mileage by as much as 33 percent, according to AAA.

Regular maintenance is also a must when it comes to improving your gas mileage. To ensure your car is running smoothly you may want to visit New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Care Care center. Open to the public, the center provides everything from repairs to general upkeep.

Volkswagen Reports Successful 2011

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Posted in General Auto News

The results are in for 2011 and it looks like last year was especially good to Volkswagen. The German automaker says that it more than doubled its profits last year and its global sales rose an impressive 14.7 percent, according to The Detroit Bureau.

The improved sales figures are indicative of Volkwagen's shifting focus toward becoming a global power in the auto industry. For instance, it has placed an emphasis on emerging markets such as China. It also set its sights on the United States, where it is expected to release an all-new mid-size Passat specifically for the country.

To fully appreciate the sales boost Volkswagen had in 2011, one need look no further than where it ranked among the world's automakers. Its 7.2 million vehicles sold put it in second place – ahead of longtime number one car company Toyota – and behind only General Motors, which experienced a resurgence of its own as the economy improved slightly, the news source reports.

Another good indicator of the upward trend VW is experiencing is how well it fared against European competition. Sales rose 11 percent in its native Germany, while it had a 7 percent jump in the rest of Western Europe.

"We know the car business is a volume and scale business and today Volkswagen is the only carmaker in Europe that has that scale," Philippe Houchois, head of European auto industry research at UBS in London, told The New York Times.

Whether you're looking to get behind the wheel of a used Volkswagen or would prefer an American-made vehicle, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone.