Madoff’s used Mercedes Benz wagon in New Jersey auctioned off

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Posted in General Auto News, Mercedes-Benz

The U.S. Marshals sold a used Mercedes Benz in New Jersey on October 23 that had last been owned by convicted Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff as part of a plan to liquidate all of his assets to help pay restitution for his victims.

Held in East Brunswick, the auction for the black 2001 Mercedes Benz E320 wagon is “just the beginning, and not the end, of the liquidation of Madoff properties,” said James Plousis, U.S. Marshal for New Jersey, according to a Star-Ledger report. Other scammers like Samuel Israel also had their vehicles prepared for auction today.

While the stigma surrounding by the financiers may have limited interest from some in these auctions, a used Mercedes Benz wagon in New Jersey could be a worthwhile addition for some buyers.

The 2004 E-class includes a hydraulically controlled loading tray for heavier items going in the trunk, and a redesign from the year before means “the E-Class lost most of the heavy feel that was unpleasantly noticeable on previous models,” according to Cars.com.

Drivers may be able to take steps to reduce distracted driving of used cars in New York

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Posted in General Auto News

Drivers operating used cars in New York may find that cell phones with a multitude of features are making it harder to stay focused on the road. Of course, there’s an application for that.

A company called ZoomSafer says that it’s application could help reduce the amount of information and number of alerts for Blackberry users who register for its free service.

“Beyond legislation and education, this is a major milestone in the fight to prevent distracted driving and is a powerful example of how technology is helping make our roads safer,” argues the company’s co-founder, Mike Riemer.

It works by auto-replying to text messages and emails, then limiting the number of alerts that a driver hears while driving, and can also lock the keypad so motorists don’t try to text while driving used cars in New York.

“Driving while distracted should just feel wrong – just as driving without a seat belt or driving while intoxicated,” Federal Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood said, according to an Argusleader.com report. Nationwide efforts have begun to limit the ability for people to text and drive during interstate travel.

Used GTIs in New York can make hot hatches

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Posted in Volkswagen - DO NOT USE

German car lovers looking for used Volkswagens in New York might be interested to know that driving a hatchback has its advantages.

Mike Olson had a Jetta before he got his 2003 GTI, according to Eurotuner Magazine. But he didn’t take to the longer chassis.

“I never did like the Jetta body style so I went back to a hatch,” said Olson to the publication about his decision to switch to a smaller model.

VW has been making the GTI since 1974 and it has been redesigned several times since its original release. Olson’s is a fourth generation model and although it’s equipped with a turbo-charged engine, Volkswagen offered several other types of motors in the GTIs of this era. A naturally-aspirated four cylinder and a 2.8 liter six cylinder were also available.

People looking for used Volkswagens in New York should know that driving a hatchback can be very convenient, especially in the city where parking is limited. Backing into a tight spot can be much easier when you’re not driving a sedan.

Fewer unneeded features could be a reason to look at used Infinitis in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Infiniti - DO NOT USE

If you like the idea of driving a car from a luxury automaker, but don’t need a lot of the extra features that have been included in upcoming models, a used Infiniti in New Jersey might be worth the look.

One example of the addition of expensive extras includes the “Forest Air” system offered on the 2011 model of the Infiniti M-class, available this spring. The automaker argues that people will want to drive in a car that approximates the feel of the woods, adding “gentle breezes and optimizing humidity.”

The company didn’t issue any cost specifications on what the Forest Air experience adds to the price of a new Infiniti, but with current models topping out over $50,000, it’s likely to play a role in putting the car out of the range of more modest budgets.

For tens of thousands of dollars less a used Infiniti M45 in New Jersey “copes easily with moderate curves,” notes Cars.com reviewer Jim Flammang, adding that “the solid steering feel is somewhat on the heavy side, but it’s rather precise.”

It was newly re-designed that year, and includes a 335-horsepower V8 engine, according to the website.

Bergen County TT a gem among used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in Audi

Audi enthusiasts interested in the coolest used cars in New Jersey might like to hear a fellow fan’s thoughts on his 2002 TT.

The first time anyone ever laid eyes on the Audi TT was in Frankfurt in 1995. Although the coupe only became available for purchase a few years later, in a way, it turns 15 next year. And style-wise, not that much has changed since the beginning.

Adam Sasso was living in Westwood, New Jersey when he had his 2002 TT and had previously owned an A4, according to Eurotuner Magazine. He was satisfied with the A4 platform and motor, but didn’t like having four doors. “The Audi TT was the perfect solution,” he told the publication.

No matter what year it was built, the TT can be a great car for anyone who likes the solid feel of an Audi but would prefer not to drive a sedan.

The two generations of TTs share many characteristics, and being coupes is only one of them. They’re both wide and low-slung. They both come as hard-tops and convertibles. They both come with a variety of engines. The list goes on and on, meaning that owners of the earlier TT still have one of the most modern used cars in New Jersey.

Tuners tracking Tokyo Motor Show reminded of used Toyota Supras in New York

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Lexus - DO NOT USE, Toyota

Toyota is known for reliable cars that have a habit of enjoying excellent sales and inciting yawns among automotive journalists who consider the automaker a bastion of reliable and bland cars. Two new offerings shown at the Tokyo Motor Show have caused several changes of heart, and remind some of the glory days last seen in used Toyota Supras in New York.

Back in the early 1990s, the Toyota Supra faced off against the Acura NSX, Nissan 300ZX and Mazda RX-7 in a field of mid-$50,000 sports cars with twin-turbo engines and a fair amount of performance. Since then Toyota hasn’t had an offering that compares, until it rolled out the Lexus LFA and the FT-86 concept.

The LFA has a V-10 engine, supercar styling and a price tag to match: $400,000. On the more affordable scale is the FT-86, a joint venture with Subaru that is supposed to offer a low-cost, rear-wheel drive coupe for mass consumption.

That may sound a lot like the list of wants for prospective owners considering used Toyota Supras in New York, which come with more horsepower stock because of a larger engine and are already available. Either way, the two concept cars indicate a shift in the Japanese automakers design philosophy.

Katy Perry’s ride looks like a used Audi A5 in New Jersey and she likes it

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Posted in Audi, Celebrity Auto News

Well, we don’t actually know whether or not singer Katy Perry is truly in love with her car, but the celeb was spotted in the Audi coupe, and the popularity that the relatively new vehicle has gained in Hollywood may be a reason to check out used Audi A5’s in New Jersey.

The singer was spotted in a new version of the car, and while the sticker price above $50,000 may seem like a lot to some buyers, the coupe fit the bill for both her and BJ Novak, star of The Office on NBC. Both have been seen driving jet black versions of the german car, which was first introduced in 2008.

Unlike competitors BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which offer smaller coupes with rear-wheel drive standard, the entire Audi A5 line has had all-wheel drive standard since its launch, according to a Cars.com review.

Washington Post writer Warren Brown spoke of “putting the wonderfully agile, seductively powerful all-wheel-drive A5 3.2 Quattro coupe through its paces.

“If there is such a thing as the perfect driver’s car, I thought, this is it – so light, tight, responsive,” he added. Those looking for a similar experience could look for used Audi A5s in New Jersey coming off short-term leases.

Buyers looking for used BMWs in New Jersey should know ’03 M3s still keep up

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Posted in BMW

BMW‘s high-performance version of its compact 3-series is now in its fourth generation and people shopping for used M3s in New Jersey might like to know that they could be getting a lot of bang for their buck.

The original M3 rolled out of the factory in 1986 and has held a special place in the hearts of some enthusiasts ever since. To them, the M badge represents the special sort of German craftsmanship that one finds with BMW’s “motorsport” styles.

“I always loved the E46 M3,” Tommy Reyes told Eurotuner Magazine. Reyes used to have a Dodge Viper and a Toyota Supra, but the M3 is the most exciting car he has ever owned, says the publication. “It has a timeless look and the body will never grow old for me.”

Few would deny that the 2009 BMW M3 is a worthwhile purchase, assuming you have the means to buy one. But it seems that buyers looking for a used M3 in New Jersey haven’t forgotten that older generation BMWs can still get the job done.

Drivers of used cars in New York should be mindful of wildlife in rural areas

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Posted in General Auto News

Deer have a habit of crossing roadways and affecting drivers of new and used cars in New York. Some recent stories point to a need to watch out for other animals as well.

A family driving to California thought they had struck a coyote while driving approximately 75 miles per hour, and fully believed that the animal had not survived the encounter, according to KCRA.com. Instead, after more than eight hours of driving, they found that the coyote had survived with no injuries after becoming lodged in the engine compartment.

“No broken bones, no internal injuries — nothing,” Daniel East told the website, adding that the animal only had a few scrapes on one of his paws.

Still, drivers of used cars in New York should be wary of animals that may collide with moving cars, as well as those who may look to recently shut-off vehicles for warmth during the winter months.

A bear set off a car alarm in rural Colorado when it was looking for food, and authorities told the Denver Post that many have learned how to open car doors.

Glowing reviews could spawn sales of used BMW 1-series in New Jersey

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Posted in BMW

The BMW 1-series was only released a couple years ago, but based on the plaudits that it has earned from automotive journalists, buyers considering used cars in New Jersey may want to take a look at the newest model added to BMW’s U.S. offerings.

It was designed to fill the entry-level hole left by the now-larger 3-series, and over 18 months, the testers at Edmunds found that it was a worthy addition, although it is different in handling and character than other BMWs.

“It offers the precise handling, comfort and commanding driving position we’ve come to expect from the brand, and we’ve also learned that a quick, wiry personality is also unique to the 1 Series,” they note in an analysis of their long-term test of the 2008 model.

A Cars.com review suggest that buyers considering used BMW 1-series in New Jersey will be a fan of the interior, noting that “simple elegance is the name of the game with BMW’s interiors, which have a modernity to them that isn’t found in all luxury cars.”

They also lauded the model’s performance and especially it’s handling, although some drivers may not like the effort required to turn the steering wheel.