Kia recently unveiled its Superman-inspired Optima Hybrid, the sixth installment of its eight-car charitable campaign, “We Can Be Heroes,” at the Chicago International Auto Show. The South Korean automaker is customizing eight different vehicles to represent the superheroes who make up DC Entertainment’s Justice League – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and Cyborg. With the help of DC Entertainment co-publisher Jim Lee, Kia designers created a vehicle that captures the unbeatable invincibility and upstanding nature of the FDR-era Superman.

“As the most recognized superhero in the world, Superman is a symbol of strength and integrity, making him the perfect character to join forces with Kia’s first-ever hybrid to create a customized ride powered by a robust and efficient powertrain,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing and communications for Kia Motors America. “Each of our Justice League-inspired vehicles are remarkable collaborations between the automotive and comic book worlds, and all for a worthy cause.”

The Superman-themed car has a few fancy features, including a button that raises and lowers the suspension, customized fenders, red headlights and other red accents, and of course, the iconic “S” logo the hero wears on his costume. This and the other super-cars are being used to promote DC Entertainment’s efforts to raise funds to help people in the Horn of Africa who are fighting drought and famine.

While this ride is one-of-a-kind, drivers looking for used cars can head over to New Jersey Auto Auction, which carries a wide selection of makes and models, including a variety of Kia cars as well as hybrid options like the Toyota Prius. Every model on the lot is CARFAX certified, so drivers can get behind the wheel of a reliable vehicle whether they want to save the world by going green or opt for something a bit more traditional.

When you’re looking to purchase a used car, there are many different aspects to consider, including the initial price as well as a vehicle’s safety and reliability, but perhaps one of the most important elements of having a car is the long-term cost of ownership. After you shell out the dough to buy your car, you won’t stop spending money on your purchase. Everything from fueling up to getting regular maintenance and insuring your vehicle will add up over time, and some models cost more to own than others. For instance, a large SUV like a GMC Terrain will likely use more gas and cost more to fill at the pump than a smaller model like a Honda Civic.

You can research the cost of ownership of certain vehicles online or by asking people who own them about the expenses. In addition to fuel consumption, you will want to find out how frequently a particular model needs to be serviced, whether it is known for needing repairs or part replacements regularly, and how expensive it is to insure. A sporty Porsche 911 is going to have a higher insurance premium than an entry-level sedan like a Ford Fiesta. Some brands and models are known to break down more frequently than others that have a reputation for being reliable.

You should factor long-term costs into your decision before purchasing a used car, especially if a vehicle is priced well below the average selling price for that model. This could indicate it is in less-than-ideal condition, so the money you save up front would be made up by the repairs you’ll need to pay for down the line.

When you have done your research, you can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction to find the vehicle you desire. The dealer carries a wide selection of makes and models, and every car on the lot is CARFAX certified, so you know you’ll be getting behind the wheel of a reliable ride.

MINI, known for its quirky designs and unique vehicles, like the Classic Mini Cooper, recently had a bit of bad PR. The British automaker’s American fans were inundated with an onslaught of automated email messages when a system glitch sent out hundreds of copies of the same email to each user on the mailing list, AutoBlog reports.

While this sort of thing generally does not happen, the standard procedure is to issue an apologetic email or letter explaining the error and promising it won’t happen again. However, MINI officials decided to approach the issue in a more unique way. The company sent care packages to each affected customer. Along with a letter of apology, each individual also received chocolate roses, a roll of duct tape and a can of Spam. In the letter, MINI stated that, “Nothing says, ‘I’m sorry,’ like flowers and chocolate, so we’ve combined the two and enclosed a chocolate rose,” according to MotorTorque.com.

The duct tape was a symbolic gesture to “fix things up,” while the can of Spam, a clever visual pun on their email error, was actually a soft, squeezable stress-reliever.

Many MINI fans have found this mailing to be fun and endearing as well as reminiscent of the brand’s overarching appeal. However, not everyone agrees. A number of consumers who responded to AutoBlog’s coverage of the story felt that the company’s time, efforts and money cold have been better spent improving the lineup and researching new technologies for future models.

Drivers who want to get closer to the brand may be able to find a used MINI Cooper convertible or hardtop at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Every vehicle on the lot is CARFAX certified, so drivers won’t have to worry when they get behind the wheel of a used car.