When a car performs well for a driver, it can inspire loyalty that carries on for years. A recent study from CarFinance.com set out to examine how different kinds of drivers make connections with vehicles, and whether or not they establish brand loyalty.

According to the data collected, below-prime buyers are less likely to have some kind of brand loyalty. In fact, these subprime purchasers only forge this connection about 24 percent of the time, compared to 44 percent of average buyers. There are also certain automakers that are more likely to inspire this connection, which could shed some light at the best brands for these types of drivers.

For example, below-prime buyers were more likely to be loyal to Kia or Nissan. However, other brands were more popular among drivers trading in a vehicle. Those motorists were drawn to Chevrolet and Ford vehicles, showing that many wanted to get behind the wheel of domestic brands after hearing about different models.

“The data continues to demonstrate that these buyers are making practical choices which not only benefit traditional economy brands, but also brands – such as Nissan and Ford – that are offering consumers good value on their entry-level vehicles,” said Jim Landry, the CEO of CarFinance.com. “While these buyers are not particularly loyal, they favor brands that offer competitively priced vehicles with the must-have features that today’s consumers demand.”

Anyone on the hunt for a used car shouldn’t hesitate to check out the selection at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot houses hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that can serve as a great investment for drivers. It also has a financing department that is capable of helping anyone, even below-prime buyers, figure out their plans.

The importance of reliability and dependability of vehicles cannot be understated. Not only do drivers want to avoid certain issues on the roads, such as breakdowns or accidents, but they want to know that their automobiles will be a solid investment for years to come. While there are certain actions that can prolong the life of a car, sometimes the best strategy is to buy a brand with a reputation for excellence. 

According to data collected by Polk vehicle registration, Honda stands above its peers with regard to the longevity of its products. The organization tracked the life span of all vehicles sold from 1988 to 2012. Over the course of that 25-year period, no automaker had a larger percentage of models remain on the roads than Honda, which had 75 percent of its vehicles stay in use. 

That type of reliability is great for drivers, especially those who are on a budget and want to get the most bang for their buck. 

“One of the most important considerations for a new vehicle purchase is how long that vehicle will last, and this study demonstrates that Honda quality and reliability is not just part of our hard-earned reputation but represents our industry-leading performance on the road,” said Michael Accavitti, the senior vice president of auto operations for American Honda. “If consumers want the most durable, longest-lasting mainstream brand, Honda vehicles are the clear choice.” 

When you're searching for a used car, brands like Honda may be at the top of your wish list. If that's the case, you might want to check out the selection of vehicles at New Jersey State Auto Auction. That lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans from a variety of brands, and any of these automobiles could serve as a viable tool for you and your family. 

Some of the most high-profile auto brands do more than just provide a means of transportation for millions of people throughout the world – they also help push along a number of charitable endeavors. That is certainly the case with Infiniti, which has recently partnered up with other big-time groups to carry out the fourth annual “Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge.” 

This challenge came about thanks to Infiniti, the NCAA, ESPN and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. It takes 48 head coaches from various Division I men's basketball programs and pits them in head-to-head battles during a four-round online tournament. Fans can vote for the coaches and causes they want to support, and the winning coach will see $100,000 go to the charity of his choice. 

“The Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge amplifies the significant contributions made by men's college basketball coaches in their own communities and across America,” said Jim Haney, the executive director of the NABC. “The Challenge engages college basketball fans across the country to join with these outstanding coaches to raise funds and awareness for those in need and has had a tremendous impact in its first three years.” 

To keep up its end of the agreement, Infiniti will be donating $349,000 throughout the challenge to charities represented by the coaches. The more votes the coaches gets in the online polls, the more funds get donated to their respective causes. 

Infiniti may be spearheading this charitable endeavor, but it still is more well known as one of the more intriguing luxury car brands on the market. If you're interested in one of the company's vehicles – or any other brand, for that matter – head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of CARFAX-certified vehicles that can fit any budget or range of needs. 

Many factors impact the type of automobile a driver is looking for, and one of the most significant is geography. After all, location influences everything from maintenance issues to safety features, and it plays a major role in the selection of popular vehicles. This is even true of the Northeast, which has its own set of general preferences and popular options that much of the populace sticks to. 

Kelley Blue Book recently studied the millions of visitors who used the site to research potential cars. Users from the Northeast region were about 56 percent more likely to search for Subaru vehicles and 45 percent more likely to consider Volvo models than people from other parts of the U.S., according to the data. These motorists were also less likely to consider brands such as Ram and Scion, skipping over small sports cars and large pickup trucks in favor of crossover SUVs. 

"Seeing the key drivers motivating shoppers are topography, metropolitan density and government regulations, it is not surprising compact crossovers are preferred over full-size SUVs in the Northeast," said Arthur Henry, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book. "This shows when brand choice is layered on top of segment preferences, manufacturers like Subaru rise to the top with its four-wheel drive options, along with Volvo and its high safety ratings, which help both brands drive interest in this region." 

Even within a specific area, individual drivers will have different needs and preferences that need to be addressed. That is where locations such as NJ State Auto Auction can be extremely helpful. The lot houses hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, giving motorists plenty of options when it comes to selecting their next vehicle.