Forbes Recommends Cars for New Families

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Posted in Auto Industry News

New parents may be wary of buying a family-friendly vehicle, as this can conjure up images of "soccer mom" minivans. However, minivans are not the only vehicles well-suited for young families, and Forbes recently put together a list of appropriate options based on safety features, affordability, and style. Every one of the top 10 family cars costs less than $25,000 and is rated as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Only one van, the Dodge Grand Caravan, made the list. The rest of the cars chosen by Forbes were smaller, crossover SUVs, wagons and even a few sedans. The Honda CR-V was among the best options for new families as well, and one new parent explained why she chose it for her family.

"I like that in a small SUV, you sit higher up from the road, Liz McCorry, a new parent looking for a family car, told the news source. "In general it makes me more at ease as a driver, and is more comfortable to get in and out of."

The Kia Soul also made the grade, and this small SUV has been an IIHS Top Safety Pick since it was first introduced to the market in 2009. Since many drivers trade in new cars after about three years of ownership, it's likely that used Kia Souls will be available this year. Kelley Blue Book estimates that a used 2010 model in excellent condition will sell for around $13,300.

Whether new parents are looking for a minivan or something more modern like a Soul or a CR-V for their families, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of options to choose from. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, drivers are sure to find the perfect family car.

Gas Prices May Not Change Consumer Behavior

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Posted in General Auto News

With gas prices expected to eclipse $4 per gallon in the near future, many people fear the price of used fuel-efficient cars may experience a significant jump. Though the cost may rise a bit, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) believes it will not be enough to change consumer behavior.

Drivers have been used to high gas prices for quite some time. While many people are worried that fuel is on the way up, even at a relatively low $3.50 per gallon, motorists are still paying much more than a decade ago, and they have come to terms with that. As a result, shoppers may not change their activity that drastically.

"Considering consumers have become accustomed to gasoline prices that averaged more than $3.50 last year, this time around we don't expect to see dramatic shifts in the shopping behavior of consumers for more fuel-efficient vehicles when prices approach the $4 mark," NADA's executive automotive analyst Jonathan Banks said.

Just because drivers have become used to high gas prices doesn't mean that you shouldn't look for ways to save money at the pump wherever possible. Aside from purchasing a used car that gets good mileage, how you drive your vehicle can have a significant impact as well.

Taking care of your tires is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a fuel-efficient car. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), having properly inflated tires can increase gas mileage by as much as 3 percent.

Whether you let the price of gas affect your purchases or not, New Jersey State Auto Auction likely has the car for you. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everybody.

Most Expensive Car in Greenwich Belongs to Tommy Hilfiger

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

Greenwich, Connecticut, is one of the wealthiest towns in the country, so you know the most expensive car cruising its streets has to be an impressive ride. As it turns out, that honor goes to a pretty famous name – Tommy Hilfiger. The fashion mogul's 2003 Ferrari Enzo is worth about $633,360, Forbes reports.

Despite the astronomic price tag, that's only about 70 percent of how much the car goes for on the market. It's also not the only pricey ride that Hilfiger is driving around in. He also owns a Bentley Continental, though it is worth considerably less than his Enzo – only around $126,000.

According to the publication, Hilfiger is not the only big name in the fashion world with an affinity for luxury cars. In fact, Ralph Lauren, who is considered Hilfiger's biggest rival on the runway, also rivals his impressive fleet. Most famously, he is the proud owner of a 1938 Bugatti Atlantic, which won the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2003.

Vanity Fair chronicled Ralph Lauren's collection of classic cars not too long ago, and it's certainly a sight to behold. In particular, he has a garage dedicated specifically to his collection of Ferraris, which is highlighted by a 1958 Testa Rossa. In the same room he also has Ferraris from the 60s, 70s and 90s. As for new models, he has a 2006 Bugatti Veyron and a 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago Super Veloce.

Though few people can compete with the car collections of Lauren and Hilfiger, that doesn't mean that you should put any less effort into maintaining your vehicles. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center offers a great resource to the public, as it provides everything from general upkeep to repairs.

GM Announces Launch of Natural Gas-Powered Trucks

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Posted in General Auto News

In an effort to take advantage of the growing call for alternative fuels, General Motors is going to introduce a line of pickup trucks powered by natural gas. GM recently announced it will release bi-fuel versions of its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks, Fox News reports.

The most important detail about the innovative vehicles is that they give motorists the chance to drive wherever they want without having to worry about finding a fueling station that offers natural gas. As their default setting, the trucks will be powered by the natural gas, but if that tank runs out the engine will switch to gasoline. Drivers can also choose to switch to gasoline by themselves if they hit a button.

"Range anxiety is very real," Joyce Mattman, director of GM commercial product and specialty vehicles, told the news source. "We worked with the Chevy Volt team on that, and saw the same issues."

There are a number of advantages to powering cars, especially trucks, with natural gas. Perhaps most importantly, natural gas is cheaper than gasoline. This is an especially perscient issue right now, given that gas prices could surpass $4 per gallon in the very near future.

According to Fox, trucks powered by natural gas are also more environmentally friendly. Specifically, vehicles that use the fuel produce about 25 percent fewer carbon emissions than standard cars. Additionally, because about 98 percent of natural gas is produced in the United States it can help reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Though natural gas-powered vehicles are still uncommon, there are other ways to save money on gas. One such way is buying a fuel-efficient car at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models there is something for everybody.

Chevy Volt is 2012 European Car of the Year

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Volt was recently named the 2012 European Car of the Year, adding yet another award to the list for the hybrid plug-in vehicle. It has also won the 2012 North American Car of the Year award, as well as accolades from Motor Trend, Automobile magazine and the Green Car Journal.

Leading automotive journalists from 23 European nations came together to determine the best newly-introduced vehicles on the market. They started with 35 different models, and narrowed the selection down to seven finalists. The judges scored each finalist in categories such as design, comfort, innovative technology, efficiency and performance.

The Volt and its European counterpart, known as the Opel Vauxhall Ampera, beat the runners up by a wide margin. The Volt and Ampera had scores of 330 points, while the Volkswagen Up! and the Ford Focus lagged behind with scores of 281 and 256, respectively.

"It is a proud moment for us and an honor to receive this award from Europe's leading jury of automotive journalists," said Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe. "Our car demonstrates that electric driving can be fun and reliable without ever compromising the owner's  lifestyle."

The Volt is able to run on gasoline, but its electric battery is capable of powering the car for 35 miles in between charges. This means drivers can use the car to get around town or back and forth from work without ever using a drop of gasoline, but they have the option to switch over if they run out of juice on the road.

Since the award-winning Volt has only been on the market for little more than a year, drivers may not be able to find used models just yet. New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of other choices for those looking to get behind the wheel of a fuel-efficient car.

Used Car Prices Will Reflect Rising Gas Prices, CarGurus Projects

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Posted in Auto Loans & Financing News

The cost of fuel continues to climb, and a recent CarGurus forecast indicates consumers can expect to see the price tags on fuel-efficient used cars start to rise as well.

According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the national average on Monday, March 5 is nearly $3.77 per gallon. In a few states such as California, Illinois and New York, the average fuel cost is between $3.87 and $4.38 per gallon. When the cost of fuel rises, many drivers consider trading in their current vehicles for models with better fuel economy. This surge drives up the prices of used cars, which could make it less economical to get a different car in the long run.

"Gas prices have proven a reliable indicator of where used car prices are headed, and consumers in the market for a fuel-efficient used car this year should be mindful of that correlation," said Langley Steinert, founder and CEO of CarGurus. "The best advice for shoppers is the get ahead of the cycle by buying soon, when they will find the best deals on small, fuel-efficient used cars. Alternatively, consumers should consider waiting until the fall and winter months when there is typically less price volatility in the used car marketplace."

Whether drivers are ready to buy now, or are just starting their search for a used car, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of fuel-efficient used vehicles, the dealer is sure to offer many choices for consumers, even those with less than perfect credit. Thanks to a partnership with Credit Acceptance Corporation, drivers can be approved for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.

Auto Loan Delinquencies Continue to Drop

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Posted in Auto Industry News

For the ninth consecutive quarter, the number of auto loan delinquencies decreased compared to the year before. In the final quarter of 2011, the rate fell to 0.46 percent from 0.59 percent in 2010 and this gives yet another reason to be optimistic about the improving economy.

Perhaps most encouraging was that there was no seasonal rise in delinquencies for the quarter, something that usually happens during the final few months of the year. TransUnion found this was just the third time in the last decade where this was not the case. Additionally, given that there has been a growth in the number of auto loans, the fact that there has not been an increase in delinquencies is also encouraging.

"Ending the year flat is particularly interesting, because the number of new auto loans coming onto the books has consistently increased since the end of the recession, a primary driver of which has been an expansion in lending to consumers in the subprime market,"  said Peter Turek, automotive vice president in TransUnion's financial services business unit.

Don't expect anything to change, TransUnion says. There is a considerable demand for both new and used cars, which will urge prospective buyers to make their loan payments on time. Additionally, with the economy expected to continue to improve over the coming years.

Anybody in the market for a used car but concerned that their checkered credit history will prevent them from doing so need look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction. Thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, the dealer is able to offer guaranteed credit approval so you can drive away with a used car in no time.

Nissan May Revive Defunct Datsun Brand

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Posted in General Auto News

The Datsun brand name hasn't been around for more than 30 years, but it looks like Nissan may be bringing it back. The plan is in the very early stages but the manufacturer hopes to roll out new Datsuns by 2014 in an effort to provide inexpensive cars to emerging markets, Reuters reports.

Datsun was originally the name used by the company from when it was founded in the 30s until the early 80s. Around that time it assumed the name Nissan and has since  become the number two Japanese brand. Though Datsun may be coming back from the dead, it will not be doing so in the Untied States. They will likely first be introduced in Russia, Indonesia and India, selling for around $6,200, according to Reuters.

Although there has not been any confirmation on the exact timetable of the re-introduction, it could be a big step in helping Nissan compete with its two biggest threats – Toyota and Honda. Both those companies have a problem expanding into emerging markets because it's difficult for them to offer cheap vehicles without damaging brand reputation. However, Nissan may have circumvented the problem by having a different name attached to its cheaper cars.

The Datsun is certainly not the only older vehicle to be resurrected. In particular, Dodge is prepping a re-release of its Dart, which last hit the roads more than 40 years ago. Although it will share the same name of the classic vehicle, the new Dart will not offer many other similar features. The 2012 Dart is set for a spring release and will have a starting price of just under $16,000, Cars.com reports.

Whether you're looking for a used car for nostalgic purposes or simply to save money, New Jersey State Auto Auction has got you covered. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone.

February Auto Sales Rise 16 Percent

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Posted in Auto Industry News

The good news for the country's auto industry keeps coming. Sales beat projections for the second month in a row in February and rose 16 percent, bringing the rate to its highest levels in more than four years, Reuters reports.

February growth brings the annual sales projections to about 15.1 million cars, which is at a significantly higher level than the beginning of the year when experts set the estimate at about 14 million.

Perhaps most encouraging was that the rise in sales was spurred by American manufacturers. General Motors, Chrysler and Ford all had significant gains in February, which can be chalked up in part to rising consumers confidence as the U.S. economy continues to rebound.

"That in itself is probably a big green-light indicator for consumers," TrueCar.com analyst Jesse Toprak told Reuters. "It's telling them it's OK to buy a car. You'll be fine."

Along with growing consumer confidence, the increase in sales may also be due to the fact that lenders are becoming more likely to give out auto loans. Although gas prices have been on the way up, the fact that loans are becoming more readily available has led to some people looking the other way, according to the news agency.

While some lenders have loosened their restrictions on approving loans, limitations were never an issue at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, NJ Auto is able to offer guaranteed credit approval, meaning that even if you have a checkered financial history you'll be driving away in a quality used car in no time.

What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?

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Posted in How To

Few things can be more alarming to a driver than when their check engine light comes on. While it can be indicative of a very simple and easy-to-fix problem, other times it could be highlighting a serious, and costly, issue.

One of the most common reasons that your check engine light has turned on is an oxygen sensor that is not working properly. According to The Associated Press, the sensor is relatively important because it keeps an eye on how much unburned oxygen is in the exhaust, which in turn keeps the car's computer up to speed on how much fuel is in the tank. If it's not working properly, the issue could take its toll on the vehicle's gas mileage.

Among the most serious issues that the light could be indicative of is a broken catalytic converter. This component is used to turn harmful gases into less damaging substances, and often uses expensive metals to do so. As a result, the average cost of repairing one can be around $2,000.

Though they may not be as serious as a broken catalytic converter, misfiring spark plugs are another significant problem that the check engine light could be warning you about. According to the AP, this malfunction might seem small but its effect can be felt everywhere from fuel economy to engine power, and may actually damage your catalytic converter in the long run.

The best way to avoid some of the most serious issues associated with the check engine light is to make sure you're on top of regular maintenance. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center provides the general public with a great resource to keep their cars running smoothly. With a stable of talented mechanics, the center offers everything from repair to general upkeep.