Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson spotted in a Lexus IS

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

As Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett prepare for their wedding this summer, photographers have noticed that she’s driving a Lexus IS while shopping and planning.

While no one has reported on why Wilkinson chose the entry-level sports sedan, used car buyers in New York could be enticed by the model’s engine choices, which range from a 204 horsepower V6 to a 5 liter V8 in the IS-F that propels the car to 60 miles per hour in less than 5 seconds.

More demure trims are available for those who may want more fuel economy, especially for buyers considering a used Lexus IS 250 in New York.

The 2007 model can still make it to 60 mph in under 8 seconds, according to manufacturer’s estimates, but the EPA estimated fuel mileage is about 21 miles per gallon.

Compared to other cars in its class like the BMW 3-series and the Audi A4, Edmunds.com editors say that it “excels when it comes to comfort and feature availability.”

Win Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car, or get better odds finding your own used Chevrolet Camaro in New Jersey

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Posted in Chevrolet

A NASCAR star says that you can get a trip to an upcoming race, guitar autographed by him, and an all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. For those who want better odds on ways to pick up a pony car, a used Chevrolet Camaro in New Jersey might also make sense, too.

For a little more than a month, interested web users can head over to WinDaleJrsCamaro.com for a shot at the Camaro of their choice, a chance to meet Dale Earnhardt, Jr., tickets to the Rock & Roll 400 in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series and the custom Paul Reed Smith guitar autographed by both Smith and Earnhardt Jr. with paint matched to the pace car used in the NASCAR race.

Buyers who have already done research on the performance of the new model to answer the three questions required to enter the contest may have found that older models could offer similar benefits at much better odds.

For example, a recent Autotrader search turned up 40 used Chevrolet Camaros in New Jersey from 2000 or later, versus just one car signed by Earnhardt, Jr.

A used Kia Rondo in New York could be one option for buyers looking for more space

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Posted in Kia - DO NOT USE

Looking for a used car in New York and other states that has room for more than six passengers but is smaller than most SUVs or minivans was a concern for one user who wrote to Cars.com for advice.

The main concern for some buyers is that while the two larger vehicle types offer more space than similar wagons or sedans, fuel economy can be reduced because of higher weight.

The editors at Cars.com were able to pinpoint three models that may fit the bill: the Mazda5, the E-class wagon from Mercedes-Benz and the Kia Rondo.

A used Kia Rondo in New York may be an affordable option for families looking for space for their children, as it is the least costly of the three options.

The wagon has offered seating for up to seven passengers as an option since 2007, with the ability for the second and third row of seats to fold down for cargo, as well as “an abundance of cupholders and storage bins that make the Rondo’s interior that much more useful,” according to Edmunds.com.

Survey: Owners of used cars in New Jersey and other states don’t schedule regular maintenance

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Posted in General Auto News

Buyers who are considering a used car in New Jersey may be considering holding onto their new purchase for a longer time than they would have in previous years.

However, a new survey finds that they may not be considering regular maintenance that could keep their purchase from developing problems.

ExxonMobil commissioned the research to find out about the repair habits of drivers, releasing data that shows 40 percent of participants want their cars to reach 150,000 miles or more, or at least 12 years according to EPA statistics on average yearly mileage.

In spite of this desire, only one in five respondents followed manufacturer’s recommendations about regular oil changes and other car care.

“It’s admirable that so many drivers are looking to get more use out of their vehicles, especially in the current economy,” said Ray McDonald, global technical advisor for synthetic passenger vehicle Lubricants at ExxonMobil. “It’s important for drivers to remember that the time to prepare their vehicles for all of those extra miles is now.”

A used Mazda3 in New York could be one of the coolest cars in its class

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Posted in Mazda - DO NOT USE

With smaller cars beginning to have many of the same features as larger models, those looking for used cars in New York may want to consider a Mazda3, which has continued to make a “cool cars” list for the past six years.

Kelly Blue Book says that the Mazda3 has again been named one of the top 10 coolest cars under 18,000 because of its options that include leather seats and ability to connect portable electronics via bluetooth and iPod connections.

“The auto manufacturers have made the low-priced segments the most personality-filled in the industry,” said Jack R. Nerad, Kelly Blue Book executive editorial director and executive market analyst, adding that the cars chosen “are loaded with technology and amenities.”

For buyers considering a used Mazda3 in New York, the 2005 model could be a good choice, according to the editors at Edmunds.com

They say that in its second model year, its “good looks, strong engines and sharp handling add up to an economy car that feels anything but cheap,” with the possibility of extra space in hatchback models.

Seniors get new resource on how to drive safely in used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in General Auto News

While seniors may consider purchasing used cars in New Jersey as an affordable way to continue driving, AAA wants to make sure they have the best information to help them continue to operate vehicles in a safe manner.

The company’s new website AAASeniors.com brings together research and information about cars that may be more amenable to older drivers, who could represent 25 percent of motorists in America by 2030.

“Many adult children, grandchildren and seniors will at some point be faced with a difficult decision about a mature adult’s ability to drive safely,” said gerontologist Dr. Alexis Abramson. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to be proactive in developing a plan of action based on factual, compassionate and objective information.”

Media on the website include instructional videos on various traffic maneuvers to help seniors who want to brush up on driving skills in used cars in Jersey and other states, as well as methods of dealing with declining night vision.

An online brochure also helps seniors consider what features to look for when making their next purchase, such as sedans with lighter doors than their two-door counterparts.

Financing a used car in New York may not be on the minds of many college grads

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Posted in Auto Loans & Financing News

For younger first-time buyers, used cars in New York and other states may be their most likely choice, but auto financiers say they may not recognize the benefits of taking out a car loan.

Capital One Auto Finance recently released the results of a survey of college students about to graduate, having asked them about their budget for their first vehicle purchase and how they planned to pay for it.

The company found that about two-thirds of the respondents were planning on buying used cars because of their budgets, but nearly half also want to pay cash, up 15 percent from last year.

“Buying a car is not an intuitive process and it can be intimidating for first time purchasers, especially in such a challenging economic environment,” said Sanjiv Yajnik, president of Capital One Auto Finance, but added that parents who have been through the process can help their children understand what options make the most sense in terms of paying for a car.

He says that graduates considering used cars in New York and other options should research and compare prices, as well as financing options, and be sure to know what their credit rating is prior to approaching a seller.

NASCAR youngster wants to improve teen driver safety

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Posted in General Auto News

Most 20-year-olds would have their licenses stripped if they were caught driving a used Ford F-150 in New York at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, or worse.

But Colin Braun drives specially-designed versions of the truck on racetracks that host the Nascar Truck Series, and he wants to bring his experience and youth to the Ford Driving Skills for Life program.

The initiative is designed to reduce the number of traffic fatalities caused by teen drivers, which is currently about three times the rate of other motorists by instruction in handling, recognizing hazards and space management.

“I think teenagers are more likely to listen to a message coming from someone closer to their own age, so I hope my involvement will make a difference teaching young drivers how to be safer on the road,” said Braun. “Having grown up racing all my life, I learned early on there is a time and place for driving fast, but public roads are not it.”

DSFL is a private expansion of state-based driver education for teens who may be considering used cars in New York as more affordable alternatives to newer cars.

Gas prices may change choices for those looking at used cars in New York

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Posted in General Auto News

Figuring out which kinds of used cars in New York and other states to buy could come down to one factor, according to a new Kelly Blue Book survey: the price of gas.

Nearly 9 out of every 10 shoppers who responded said they thought that the price of gas would continue to increase, a belief that is causing them to consider more fuel efficient cars.

“As summer approaches with household budgets still pinched by the weak economy, car buyers are once again becoming very conscious of rising gas prices,” said Jack Nerad, Kelley Blue Book executive editorial director and executive market analyst. “Current economic conditions compounded by the pain at the pump may make $3-per-gallon gas a new threshold for car buyers” in terms of what mileage they prefer in their purchase.

That attitude change was reported by about 60 percent of potential buyers who say they are now considering cars with smaller engines, or even smaller vehicles because of the rising cost of gas.

Senator John McCain picks up a Ford Fusion hybrid

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Posted in Celebrity Auto News

Joining fellow Republican and green car driver Arnold Schwarzenegger, Senator John McCain recently picked up a Ford Fusion hybrid, but for those who want to get good mileage like his new ride a used Ford Fusion could also be one option.

McCain wrote on Twitter that he was “excited” to pick up the car he had decided on a few days earlier.

A spokeswoman told the Associated Press he “was sold when he left the parking lot” in the vehicle, a replacement for the less fuel efficient 2004 Cadillac STS he had used previously.

But while he may be an early adopter of hybrids compared to other conservatives, he’s not the first in his family to go green.

His daughter Meghan, a Republican blogger, has owned a Toyota Prius since 2007, according to Newsweek.

Looking at hybrids like a used Toyota Prius in New York could save some buyers money at the gas pumps as well as be more environmentally friendly.

The 2004 model gets 44 miles per gallon, a fuel efficiency that is more than double that of the average passenger from that year, according to the Bureau of Transportation statistics.