Owning a car can be as exciting as it is liberating. More than a set of wheels or a means of transportation, your car can easily become an extension of your personality. This is why many drivers personalize their cars, or even name them, to strengthen the bond between car and driver.

But like Robert Frost reminded us, nothing gold can stay, and before long you may find your initial automotive attraction fading. Maybe your vehicle is getting on in years, or perhaps it may not have the features you need for your current lifestyle. If your love has faded with the new-car smell, don't fret – there are ways you can spice up your relationship with your ride without having to head to the dealership.

There is a growing number of gadgets, apps and other aftermarket gizmos specifically designed to improve your relationship with your car. While some may seem superfluous, bordering on silly, there is still a wide array of car gadgets that can genuinely help you get more out of your ride. Here are just a few. 

GPS navigation
Having the freedom afforded by a car doesn't amount to much if you aren't sure of where you're going in the first place. Dashboard-mounted GPS units have become commonplace for many drivers, but there are some that go above and beyond simple turn-by-turn instructions. Take, for instance, the Garmin nuviCam LMTHD navigation system. Retailing for $394, according to Digital Trends, this bad boy is definitely not your grandma's GPS unit. 

In addition to providing comprehensive directions, it also responds to voice commands for safer operation. It boasts some impressive features, like driver-safety aids that alert you when you're inadvertently crossing over your lane or are in danger of a front-end collision. Best of all, this unit taps into the GoPro generation with its inclusion of an always-on dash cam.

Keyless remote technology is becoming more advanced.

Remote functionality
Autumn is here, which means that before you know it the cold weather will be upon us and drivers across the country will be dreading climbing into their frigid cars every morning. Fortunately, gadgets like remote starters can help assuage that fear by letting you start your car via remote from inside your home, office or school. Some models, like the Viper 5706V two-way security and remote system, go above and beyond by adding additional security features to the conventional remote-start.

For $195, you'll get a two-way remote that can not only start your car, but will also let you enable a car alarm if needed. Even better, because the remote has two-way functionality, you'll also receive a notice if someone tries to start your car when you're not there.

For the smartphone generation, there are app-based remote-start systems that parents are sure to love. Using the GPS functionality of the garden-variety smartphone, the app lets users locate their car, and can send alerts if your kid travels outside a designated "safe zone." For extreme cases, the system can even "lock down" a car – perfect for keeping your grounded teen at home or foiling any attempts at stealing your car.

Driver assistance
Cars are incredibly complicated machines, and so it seems odd that we tend to operate them all on our own. Aside from the mechanics of driving itself, there are a host of more subtle factors that can affect performance, fuel efficiency and even safety.

Thankfully, this no longer has to be a job you take on all by yourself. Take, for example, Automatic's Smart Driving Assistant. This device provides drivers with an incredible amount of information, ranging from engine diagnostics to data on your car's fuel efficiency. It's also great for new drivers, as according to CheatSheet, the system can set driving goals aimed at encouraging responsible driving. If you've ever found yourself cowering in confusion at the indecipherable lexicon of your car, don't worry – the device also translates engine codes into plain English on your smartphone, so you don't have to be a mechanic to understand any issues that may arise with your car. Best of all, the Smart Driving Assistant sells for around $100, and you can bet that you'll be saving much more than that just in improved fuel efficiency alone. 

HUD projectors are helping drivers keep their eyes on the road.

HUDs and media centers
Your smartphone or tablet is great for managing your entertainment needs, so why not apply that same design and sensibility to your car? That's exactly what Apple did with its CarPlay gadget. This system lets you sync your iPhone or iPad's media settings to your car's control console, enabling you to select music, podcasts and e-books with a touch or even a voice command, courtesy of Siri.

If you want even more space-agey gadgets, you may be interested in one of the HUD offerings that are popping up. These combine the diagnostic tools and information-gathering of a smartphone with a projector that displays all your relevant dashboard information up on the windshield so you don't have to take your eyes off the road.

If you're looking for a car to fall in love with and make your own, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. There you'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, as well as a knowledgeable sales staff dedicated to helping pair you with the car of your dreams.

You may have noticed the very first leaves of the season beginning to change, or the fact that the temperatures aren't quite as high as they were a few weeks ago. That means one thing – summer is coming to a close.

For students all across the country, it's back-to-school time yet again, and the cooler weather once more coincides with a rush to stock up on all the necessities needed for academic success. In this day and age, you may also want to bring a car along to campus with you for the added convenience. But with so many choices available, you may suffer from a bit of analysis paralysis. Here are some tips to help you narrow down your decision.

Does your school even allow cars?
Heading off to college for the first time can be a great confidence-builder for those who can't wait to stretch their independence, but before you get too attached to your dreams of freedom thanks to your own set of wheels, you should do some research into your school's policy regarding students and cars.

Some universities don't permit on-campus residents to bring cars to school with them at all, while others restrict the practice to upperclassmen only, whether it be for safety or parking reasons. Your first step before heading to the dealer should thus be to find out if choosing the perfect set of wheels is even practical.

The sticker price of your car is just one factor to take into account when choosing a model.

Economy
If you haven't yet adapted to the frugal penny-pinching student lifestyle, prepare to assimilate it as part of your new identity. There's no denying that over the next four years, saving money will be your No. 1 priority, and it should come into play when choosing your car as well.

Don't just look for a car with a low sticker price. While it may seem more appealing to take on a smaller loan, you may be setting yourself up to actually spend more money down the road due to reliability and fuel efficiency issues. In addition to its sticker price, a car also has a total cost of ownership. This is a value that estimates how much money you can expect to pay in things like gas, repairs and other incidental costs over the period you own it. In many cases, this is where the real money is lost or saved, so ensure that your research includes a reputable source such as Kelley Blue Book that can fill you in on this important information. 

Size
Bigger isn't always better, especially when it comes to student cars. As tempting as it may be to buy a large vehicle and turn it into an on-campus party bus, there are several reasons you should resist this urge. 

For starters, larger cars tend to cost more to own. Smaller vehicles typically have smaller, more fuel-efficient engines, meaning you'll spend less at the pump filling up your compact car than you would an SUV. Additionally, the more seats your car has, the more people you may be tempted to put in it. Not only is this not great for a budding student's academic career, but being "the one with the car" on campus is also a surefire way to rack up a high gas bill.

 When you're ready to shop for your very own back-to-school wheels, head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a knowledgeable and supportive sales staff willing to help you through every step of the process.

When you're shopping for a high-quality used car, there are several factors that you must take into consideration. Obviously matters such as price, reliability and gas mileage will come into play, but it's important to also do your best to root out "hidden costs" before purchasing or leasing a car to ensure you don't end up paying more than you were planning on later.

One such hidden cost is insurance. Your monthly premium is likely not going to be brought up at the dealership – after all, dealers have very little to do with insurance. Still, while premiums are frequently determined by things like driving history, age and other factors, don't overlook the car itself.

As far as insurance goes, not all cars are created equal. Some cars are an insurance company's dream, while others are certain to be little more than a nightmare when it comes time to shop for a plan. Here are some of the best and worst cars in terms of insurance rates.

The high
Lots of things can influence a car's average insurance rate, and many of these factors have little to nothing to do with you as a driver. If you're shopping for a used car, you'll need to accept the reality that you're already likely to pay a bit more for insurance, since older cars tend to add money on to your monthly premium. But aside from age, any number of factors such as reliability, the frequency with which a given model is stolen and even the color of a car can affect your premium.

That's right – you can pay more to insure a red car than you would a car of the same model that comes in a different hue. This is due to the same reason sports cars cost much more on average to insure than sedans – people tend to drive them faster and can statistically be more accident prone.

According to Business Insider, the most expensive car to insure in 2015 is the Nissan GT-R NISMO. This sporty ride may feel great to drive, but it comes at a price. The news source indicated that owners of this particular model can expect to shell out an average of $3,574 every year just on insurance.

How popular a car is with auto thieves can also impact how much you end up paying in insurance. Kelley Blue Book compiled a list of the 10 most- and least-stolen cars. Topping the list was the Cadillac Escalade, the Ford F250 and the Dodge Charger. At least car thieves like to buy American, right?

If your car is attractive to thieves, that will likely reflect on your insurance premium.

The low
If minimizing your monthly insurance payments is a priority, then you'll want to consider a whole separate set of criteria when shopping for your car. Granted these premium-friendly rides aren't necessarily going to take anyone's breath away, but when it comes to practical, reliable cars with reasonable premiums, this list is a good place to start.

Starting from the assumption that sports cars cost more to insure, shifting your sights to sedans is a good starting point. As an added bonus, sedans tend to carry much lower sticker prices than their sportier counterparts as well.

AutoBytel reported that the Buick Lucerne topped the list for used car model with the lowest insurance premium, and it's not difficult to see why. The car's relatively high reliability rating, the broader availability of parts and its average performance make it a perfect middle-of-the-road car that's excellent for those drivers who aren't looking for flash, but are trying to save cash.

When you're ready to shop for a used car, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a knowledgeable sales and finance team to assist you through every step of the process.

Shopping for a car can be a stressful experience. There are so many factors to take into consideration, like your budgetary circumstances, the needs of your lifestyle and even plain old luck.

First-time buyers may be particularly nervous, spiraling into a black hole of comparison charts and online consumer reviews in the quest to find "the perfect car." While every model, individual car and driver is different, in general, there are a few guidelines to help you feel confident. That way, you can drive home from the dealership comfortable in the knowledge that you've made a smart choice.

Here are a few suggestions based on what the most important factor is for you when choosing a car.

Price
Cost is one of the most significant factors for nearly everyone when shopping for a set of wheels. After all, there are few other elements that can have so immediate an impact on what decision you ultimately end up making. Of course, everyone has heard the old adage that you get what you pay for, so while a lower sticker price certainly holds some appeal for your wallet, you want to make sure that you aren't ending up with a lemon.

According to Kelley Blue Book, if you're on a shoestring budget, you'd be hard-pressed to find better value for your dollar than a Honda Civic. This popular and reliable sedan topped the publication's list of the 10 Best Used Cars under $8,000 for 2014, epitomizing a perfect mix of affordability and function. KBB highlighted the 2007 model in particular, which boasts an average 36 miles per gallon on the highway, making it an incredibly fuel-efficient buy. This efficiency, combined with the Japanese manufacturer's legendary reliability, make it a good choice for cash-strapped buyers.

Purchasing the right model can help keep your car out of the shop.

Reliability
A common concern when shopping for used cars in particular is reliability. Not only are pre-owned vehicles older, but they can sometimes have histories and pasts that could affect their performance. Once again, it's important to note that every car is different, but there are some brands that have established reputations for being notably reliable.

In particular, many of the big U.S. manufacturers tend to top many mechanics' lists of reliable rides. If you're less concerned about initial investment and more worried about keeping your cost of ownership low down the road, consider a Chevrolet Cavalier or Ford Escort, Popular Mechanics suggested. What these tried-and-true models lack in luxury and luster they make up for with reliability and, importantly, cheap and readily available parts. You likely won't have to take these cars into the shop often, but when you do, you can count on not spending a fortune on replacement components. 

Fuel efficiency
With gas prices fluctuating wildly, driving to the pump can be a car-owner's worst nightmare. Fortunately, the past several years have seen tremendous strides made in fuel efficiency, and used-car enthusiasts will be happy to hear that these pump​-side savings can accompany cars at just about every price level. 

According to Consumer Reports, if you want the best bang for your gasoline buck, you're going to be hard-pressed to find a better deal than a Toyota Prius. The 2004-2007 models averaged an impressive 44 overall mpg, making it the publication's top choice for gas-sipping cars under $10,000.

The outliers
These suggestions can be helpful, but it's important to note that they're just that – suggestions. Just like any rule, there are plenty of exceptions, and when it comes to used cars, the truth is that specific make and model may not be the most reliable final indicator of performance.

In fact, a car's previous owner and his or her driving and maintenance habits can have an enormous impact on a vehicle's overall performance. Years of poor treatment can turn even the nicest model into a clunker. For this reason, it's crucial that whatever car you ultimately end up choosing, you get it inspected thoroughly before signing on the dotted line. If possible, try and narrow your search to certified pre-owned cars. These carry an additional warranty from the manufacturer, and receive in-depth inspections before hitting the sales floor, so you can feel better about your choice.

If you think a used car may be in your future, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified vehicles on the lot, and the helpful sales staff are on hand to make your experience as pleasant as possible.