TrueCar.com monitors the different trends of new car sales, including pricing, forecasting and fuel economy, and the most recent findings indicate not a lot has changed in terms of what buyers want when it comes to fuel usage. The average fuel efficiency of new cars sold in October was about 23.2 MPG, which remained unchanged from September and is up slightly from the same month in 2011 (22.2 MPG).

These findings indicate the direction car shopper leaning in any given month, and it looks as though smaller vehicles are proving to be healthy competition for larger, less fuel-efficient trucks and SUVs. TrueCar.com reports that this time of year typically sees an increase in the sale of larger vehicles, but many drivers are continuing to place emphasis on gas consumption.

"Unseasonably strong demand for small and gas-efficient vehicles balanced what would have otherwise been a drop in overall MPG due to large trucks showing some strength in the marketplace," said Jesse Toprak, senior analyst at TrueCar.com. "We anticipate a relative decline in TrueMPG for the rest of the year, as the larger SUVs and trucks claim a large market share with the weather conditions worsening and end-of-the-year deals creating attractive discounts for these segments."

While this report focuses on new cars, there are plenty of used options available for drivers looking to purchase previously-owned models. There are even alternative fuel options, such as the Toyota Prius, which has an electric as well as a gas-powered engine to reduce fuel consumption and help drivers save at the pump. New Jersey State Auto Auction features a wide selection of makes and models, so whether car shoppers are searching for fuel-efficient rides or they would prefer something bigger that may not get as many miles to the gallon, the dealer is sure to have something to suit their needs.