Valve replacement is a necessary part of keeping used cars on the road

Whether you drive a used Ford or BMW, chances are that it will need to be serviced at some point to ensure that it keeps running smoothly. One of the most common problems that drivers may encounter is a burned valve, which many cars are prone to developing after 80,000 miles or so. This often requires service, but luckily New Jersey Auto Auction provides their customers with quality service and maintenance at an affordable price.

A burned valve occurs when the piece has overheated, which causes it to lose its ability to prevent leaks. There is really no way to completely fix the problem other than replacement. Sometimes this can be an unavoidable cost of car ownership, as valves tend to wear down over time, and according to IHS, with the average miles driven per year standing at about 13,400, they add up quickly.

Some used car drivers may be afraid of getting their vehicle worked on. After all, maybe getting it fixed will not be worth it if you'll just be replacing the car in a few years. However, recent statistics seem to prove that theory wrong, and getting your used car fixed is the best way to boost its staying power.
Rebecca Lindland, the automotive expert for publishing company IHS Inc. recently spoke with Bloomberg Radio and revealed that the average age of a car on the road is an impressive 10.6 years, proving that more drivers are getting their car fixed and serviced to keep them running longer.

The New Jersey State Auto Auction has a Full Auto Service Center located in Jersey City. The company provides discounted auto repair and auto maintenance for their customers. Call Brian at 201-200-1100 for our current Service Specials and ask for our Current Coupons. 

Tips to pay off your credit card debt

Having to pay off a lot of credit card debt may seem impossible, but doing so will open up a lot of avenues to making other purchases including new and used cars. While it is certainly tough, there are a number of ways you can chip away at that mountain of debt before heading to New Jersey Auto Auction.

Among the most effective options available is the so-called "snowball" method, according to financial services company Bankrate. This means that you tackle the debt from smallest to largest in the hopes that paying off each one will inspire you to keep going. The only exception is if you're paying off money owed to the IRS, but usually you should pay off smallest debt first, regardless of interest rates.

You should also resist the urge to move debt around, the company says. Although it may give you a temporary reprieve from paying up, the fix is just that – temporary.

"The danger of moving credit card balances is that it's easy to start thinking you've actually done something to address the problem," industry insider Dave Ramsey told Bankrate.

You will also want to grow an emergency fund, experts say. Surprisingly, around one-third of Americans do not have non-retirement savings, so it can be difficult for them to pay debt or handle other emergencies. Some financial analysts recommend keeping at least one-month's salary tucked away just in case.

Although having debt can have a negative impact on your credit score, at New Jersey Auto Auction, that is not a problem. Regardless of whether you have good, bad or even no credit, you can be approved for auto financing, and there are few better ways to build your credit history than paying car loans on time.

How to avoid some common credit mistakes

Nothing can derail the purchase of a car more than poor credit. Just when it seems like you're ready to get behind the wheel of your new ride, a few things from your past can come back to haunt you. Although New Jersey Auto Auction offers you guaranteed credit approval, you will still want to ensure that your credit is good, and according to Kiplinger.com there are several things you can do to avoid common pitfalls.

Ignoring parking tickets or other similar fines will certainly wreak havoc with your credit. Anything that gets transferred to a collection agency will reflect negatively on you and even if you do eventually pay up, the fact that it had to get that far will follow you for around seven years, the website reports.

You will also want to avoid opening up a number of cards in a short period of time. Experts say that while having several cards for years will not be a problem, if you take on new ones very quickly it will reflect poorly on your credit score. Additionally, you likely will not see any of the added benefits of having more credit cards anyway.

Consumers should resist the temptation to make large charges to store cards. It may seem like a good idea to put big purchases, be they furniture or electronics, on store-specific credit cards. Even though it is attractive to have a long time to pay off the balance, having it sitting there for that long may be detrimental to making purchases in the future.

Luckily, New Jersey Auto Auction has options available to those who may have made a few credit missteps in the past. In fact, buying a car and paying off your loans on time is a great way to built credit history for future purchases.

What to remember when buying a used car

There are plenty of reasoins to buy a used car. Though they may come at a lower price than new vehicles, used cars still offer a reliable option while out on the road and the other costs, from taxes to insurance, are generally lower as well. Still, if you're not careful there are a number of pitfalls you can encounter while shopping around for a used car, but if you take a few steps and stop by New Jersey Auto Auction you will be able to avoid them.

Making sure you're looking into a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle may be the most important thing to remember. These are cars that have less than 50,000 miles and have been inspected to ensure that they are up to snuff, CNN reports. Certified purchases make up about 40 percent of all used-car purchases and most big automakers, from Ford to General Motors, have their own CPO programs.

Still, while a CPO may be the way to go, doing a background check on the car is also recommended. It can be the only way to be sure you know what your car has gone through, whether it be flood damage or an accident. New Jersey Auto Auction gives consumers an easy way to do just that by offering a free Carfax vehicle history reports.

If you're at a loss for what type of type of car check out, there are several models that often have stood above the rest in terms of reliability. According to CNN, the Toyota Corolla has long been a favorite used car among consumers for a number of reasons. Not only are Corollas around the safest cars on the road, they also maintain their value exceptionally well.

If you're looking for a more family-friendly car, experts suggest the Honda Odyssey. The popular minivan has managed to stay at the top of its class thanks to an excellent design and high resale value.

Whether you're looking to get behind the wheel of a sedan or a minivan, New Jersey Auto Auction offers you a reliable, affordable option to check out any number of makes and models, often sold at below their Kelly Blue Book value.

Tips for first-time car buyers

First-time car buyers face a lot of new challenges. While the purchase of a vehicle is certainly a milestone, there are a number of things to consider from financing to insurance. Of course, the most important thing is finding out which car is best for you, and Edmunds.com recently offered a few tips on how to do so.

The first thing to consider is what exactly you need out of a car. While many first-time buyers decide to purchase a stylish or trendy car, they may not actually be buying what they need. Instead, experts recommend asking yourself a few questions before deciding what safety features you're looking for, whether or not you'll be doing any towing or how much seating capacity you need.

Deciding what kind of car you want is just the beginning, however. According to Edmunds, the test drive is of the utmost importance as well. Make sure you drive it in stop-and-go situations, on the highway and on uneven terrain before coming to a decision.

After you've test-driven one car, make sure you head to other dealerships to check out other options. Experts suggest doing it all in one afternoon so that you can accurately compare.

Anybody hoping to get behind wheel of a used car should check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models for affordable prices.

CCC launches MirrorLink to connect cars, smartphones

As cars and smartphones become increasingly connected, one group is trying to make sure that drivers don't have to think twice about whether or not their phone will work in their vehicle. The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) recently launched the MirrorLink to ensure drivers are getting the most out of technology, USA Today reports.

The thought process behind the network is that any phone with the MirrorLink logo should be able to connect to any car with the same logo without any problem. This will make it easier to access Bluetooth and other accessories, and Nokia is already on board with the project. Theoretically, this could allow drivers to make use of the maps on their phone rather than splurging for an on-board navigation system.

"The types of apps available will only be limited by the creativity of the software community," the CCC says, according to the publication. "MirrorLink makes it easy for developers to create apps or modify their existing apps and target a wide section of the market. "

One of the most useful apps available to drivers is Drivesafe.ly, which reads texts, emails and other messages aloud so motorist are not distracted on the road.

Nissan continues work on ‘mind-reading’ car

It may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, but Nissan is moving closer to creating a car that can read a driver's mind. The manufacturer recently announced its plans to work on a Brain Machine Interface (BMI) with Swiss scientists that will help cars and motorists work together while out on the road.

The focus of the program will be on using BMI and statistical analysis to assess a driver's cognitive state to help predict what he or she might do next while out on the road. This can be done in a number of ways including brain activity, eye movement and examining the environment around the car.

"The idea is to blend driver and vehicle intelligence together in such a way that eliminates conflicts between them, leading to a safer motoring environment," said professor José del R. Millán, the man leading the project.

While mind-reading cars may be years off, motorists looking to get behind the wheel of a used Nissan may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers numerous makes and models at affordable prices.

Be on the lookout for flood-damaged cars

All too often, used car dealers may try to sell flood-damaged cars without letting the prospective buyers know, and the Insurance Information Institute (III) is helping buyers to be on the look out for signs of flood damage.

One of the easiest signs to spot is if there is mildew, debris or silt in unusual places in the car. For instance, if they make their way into spots such as the carpeting, trunk or around the engine compartment, it should tip you off.

Some more subtle hints come in the form of changes in upholstery. Faded fabrics or water stains are an instant indication, and discolored seatbelts can be telling as well.

"To avoid inadvertently purchasing a flood-damaged car, it is important that you only buy a used car from a reputable dealer, have a certified mechanic look for flood damage and check the car's VIN number by using a credible industry database," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, the consumer spokesperson for the III.

New Jersey Auto Auction offers buyers a reputable place to buy used cars at affordable prices.

Ford creates all-Lego Explorer

Ford recently enjoyed positive reviews of its redesigned Explorer, but the latest incarnation of the popular SUV was much different than any previous model. Twenty-two people recently completed an Explorer made entirely out of Legos in a joint venture by Ford and Legoland to promote the Florida theme park, USA Today reports.

The finished product was certainly a sight to behold. The life-size creation required more than 380,000 Lego bricks to complete and ended up weighing around 2,654 pounds. The finsihed product will soon be on its way from Chicago to Florida, being towed in a clear-sided trailer so that drivers on the highway can catch a glimpse of the sculpture. According to the publication, Legoland is set to open to the public in Florida on October 15.

As for the the functional, new Ford Explorer, early returns have many drivers pleased with the updated model. The body offers a sleek divergence from the shape of the previous years, and its EcoBoost engine offers a drastically improved fuel efficiency.

Motorists looking to get behind the wheel of a Ford may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.

Edmunds app revision may make trade-ins easier

Edmunds.com is one of the most popular resources on the internet for people looking for pricing information on their cars, and the company recently maderesearching on the go a little bit easier. The company updated its smartphone app with the most up-to-date research on new and used cars, including trade-in values and retail prices.

The app is designed specifically for the Android. Although it was popular when it was first launched, Edmunds.com received a significant amount of feedback from users who would like info on used car and trade-ins, and they apparently took the message to heart.

"The initial launch of our Android app for new car research was a major success and the most common feedback we received was a strong desire for used car information," said Jennifer Cleverley, director of mobile technology at Edmunds.com. "We heard that feedback loud and clear, and car buyers now have an even better app to help them negotiate their new or used vehicle purchases with confidence."

In addition to taking advantages of programs like the Edmunds.com app, there are a number of things you can do to ensure that you get the best price possible when trading in your car. According to AutoTrader.com, one of the best things you can do is to put some effort into making your car look nicer.

There are a number of small steps you can take, like washing and waxing the exterior, but turning your attention toward the inside can have big impact as well. A thorough cleaning, including the upholstery, rugs and mats, and adding an air freshener for good measure, will all pay off in the long run.

Of course, you can't just head in to trade-in your car blindly, either. The publication reports that sellers must do their due diligence when it comes to researching how much they can reasonably expect to get for their car.

Finally, it would behoove you to make sure that you have all your records in order before heading off to the dealer. In particular, it is important to have all documentation of maintenance to prove to the dealers that the car was well taken care off, according to the website.