Car costs can come from any direction. Fuel, maintenance, insurance – all of these miscellaneous expenses pile up and put a strain on any driver's wallet. In fact, a recent study from AAA found that the average cost of owning and operating a typical sedan has increased by almost 2 percent, up to about $9,122 from last year.  

The cost per mile for an average sedan is 60.8 cents. This is significantly less than large sedans or SUVs, but smaller sedans are less expensive in general. As the length of time people keep automobiles grows, drivers are faced with higher maintenance and insurance costs, which has a ripple effect in the auto industry. 

"Many factors go into the cost calculation of owning and operating a vehicle," said AAA director John Nielsen. "This year, changes in maintenance, fuel, and insurance costs resulted in the increase to just over 60 cents a mile … Before you make any vehicle purchase, it is important to determine ownership and operational costs and compare them to your current and future financial situation." 

USA Today reports the largest cost increase in the past year was maintenance. Overall, price tags related to maintaining a vehicle were up more than 11 percent in the past year, which includes the standard costs for replacing parts or getting repair work done. Insurance and fuel prices also grew, albeit by a smaller amount, from 2012 to 2013. 

Drivers who are looking to keep their car costs down can head to the New Jersey Auto Auction to look at an assortment of CARFAX certified models. The Total Car Care Center at NJ Auto Auction is also available for motorists to bring their vehicles in for a tune up or maintenance work. 

Gas prices may be staying at a relatively high level, but that doesn't mean drivers are rushing out to purchase smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. AutoBlog reports that the sales of subcompact cars have declined 2.6 percent since October, in spite of the fact that the average gas price has remained between $3.50 and $4. 

During that same time period, the sales of crossover vehicles has risen by 61 percent, the news source reports. Part of the reason for this boom is due to the recent release of some new redesigns like the Nissan Pathfinder or Ford” target=”_self”>Ford Explorer, but it does not fully explain why so many people are ignoring gas prices in favor of automobile features. 

Some of these drivers may be looking to the future in their search to find a vehicle. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts average gas prices will be slightly lower than the last two years. Crude oil prices are expected to fall, which accounts for much of the decline, and the rest of the drops could vary by region. The West Coast will likely have the highest costs – about 26 cents above the national average – while areas in the Gulf Coast and East Coast may also remain high. 

Drivers searching for their next vehicle can check out the offerings at the NJ State Auto Auction. Although subcompact cars may not be selling as widely across the U.S., there may be some models that are a perfect fit for you. You can find a wide selection of makes and models at the New Jersey Auto Auction. No matter which brand you prefer, you can drive off the lot with confidence, as every model is CARFAX certified. 

Sometimes the best-selling cars are popular for a reason. Fan favorite automobiles frequently boast great features, handling, exemplary safety features and more, making them well-known and sought after. If that's the case, then the Ford Focus must be a stellar drive, as the car was the world's best selling model last year. 

According to figures from R.L. Polk & Co., the Ford Focus was the top selling car of 2012. The model moved more than 1.02 million units, outdistancing the Toyota Corolla by about 17 percent, NBC News reports. In the U.S. alone, sales of the Focus grew by an astonishing 40 percent and also posted significant increases in China and several European markets. 

Part of the reason Ford performed so well is because it started shifting its focus to more compact, fuel-efficient vehicles. Constructing superior small cars has boosted its prestige in Europe as well as the U.S., where drivers are beginning to look for more economic and environmentally friendly options. 

While Ford is rejoicing in its victory, Toyota maintains that the results are incomplete. Reuters reports the manufacturer claims its figures are missing a few derivatives of the Corolla, which may impact the final count – the actual final number could be as high as 1.16 million models sold. While there can be no official winner until these results come in, it appears as though the Focus reigns supreme. 

Drivers who are interested in shopping around for a Ford Focus or a similar car can make their way to NJ State Auto Auction, which has a wide selection of CARFAX certified used vehicles. With so many makes and models to choose from, prospective buyers shouldn't have a problem finding an automobile that can meet all of their driving needs. 

Once you start a family, the type of car you drive becomes an even more important topic than ever before. Parents are constantly on the lookout for vehicles that have the best safety features, entertainment options and cargo space for everything a growing family needs, but it can be difficult to narrow down the choices. U.S. News & World Report compiled a list of the Best Cars for Families based on the quality, features and space that people today need, and the cars recognized could be worthy selections for most families. 

"We created the Best Cars for Families awards to make it easier for parents to find cars, SUVs and vans that will help make their lives easier," said Jamie Page Deaton, managing editor of U.S. News Best Cars. "With such a broad range of award winners, any family can find the best car for their lifestyle." 

GM earned the most awards of any manufacturer, with three brands and six individual models recognized in the different categories. The Cadillac Escalade, Buick Lacrosse, Buick Verano, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Traverse and Chevrolet Suburban were among the winning vehicles in areas like compact cars, full-size automobiles, midsize vehicles and luxury cars. 

Lists like this one from U.S. News & World Report can help you decide which pre-owned vehicles would be best for you and your family, as the car companies that won awards have proven themselves to be dependable rides for any type of group. Whether you're looking for one of the offerings from GM or any other automaker, you can head to NJ State Auto Auction to find just what you're searching for. The dealer has a wide selection of makes and models to choose from.