The investors at the Motley Fool generally focus on stock tips, but in a recent personal finance article, they recommend that visitors consider used cars in New Jersey to save money.

They say that because cars tend to depreciate in value by about 30 percent over the first several years, buying a new car can lose a buyer money almost as soon as it’s driven off the dealer’s lot.

“Survey after survey shows that the best current cars provide longer, more dependable service than ever before,” adds the report, noting that some domestic cars from General Motors and Ford have recently caught up with offerings from Japanese automakers in terms of build quality.

But buyers who are considering used cars in New Jersey because of their value may want to start researching sooner rather than later.

Residents of New York and New Jersey are being driven to dealerships because of the Cash for Clunkers program, and choosing used cars if their previous vehicles don’t qualify for the rebate, reported the Wall Street Journal.

As more motorists consider holding onto used cars in New Jersey, proper maintenance may be needed to ensure that their vehicles last as long as owners desire.

Roughly half the car owners surveyed by Consumer Reports say they are putting off purchase plans for new cars, and the company says that warning signs that occur before major problems can point owners to preventive repair options.

Brake pads are designed to start squealing when they are worn down, but motorists may be put off by the $100 to $200 that replacing each one can cost. Replacing the pads, however, can help to protect the rotors, which can cost up to four times as much to repair.

Similarly, changing one’s oil can cost $20 to $50 depending on the make and model, but regular replacements limit sludge that could cause a $6,000 engine failure.

“Taking immediate action when you hear a noise or feel something wrong can save you thousands of dollars on avoidable repairs,” says David Champion, Consumer Reports Auto Test Center senior director.

One of the upsides of holding onto a used car in New York is that insurance costs are lower than for new cars. The price of buying insurance for a car purchased through a Cash for Clunkers program may actually outweigh the discount, according to industry research.

For example, insuring a used Ford Explorer in New York costs roughly $1,400 per year on average for the 1999 model, while a new Honda Civic costs more than $2,000 even though it is one of the more affordable new cars to insure.

Adding up the cost difference over a five-year period would total $3,500, or the discount offered for such a switch, noted an Insurance.com report.

While insurance may be one reason to consider staying with a used car in New York, another may be the efforts by Republican legislators to nix any more funding for the Cash for Clunkers program.

Conservative senators are not enthusiastic about a bill passed by the House to augment the initiative with an additional $2 billion, and some Democrats say that the funding would create issues by supporting a program that does not help the less affluent, reported Fox News.

Buyers who find themselves in Tennessee this month with their children may want to take in a game featuring the minor league Chattanooga Lookouts if they have been considering used cars in New Jersey.

The baseball team has a variety of promotions, and one begins in the first inning on August 8.

Used Car Night means that one fan each inning will receive a used car as part of a promotion that the Lookouts say is hugely popular.

Families looking for vehicles that comfortable accommodate a bevy of children may not have to travel to the Volunteer State if they look at used Dodge Caravans in New Jersey.

The 2005 model was one of the most affordable minivans in its class, with seating for seven or enough space for 146.7 cubic feet of cargo if the back rows are folded down, noted Cars.com.

To reduce some stress for drivers trying to keep track of younger passengers, the van is more than 15 percent quieter than older models, the website’s editors added.