The value of a vehicle can be difficult to judge. Prospective buyers have to balance the initial price tag with the cost of fuel, insurance, loan payments and potential auto repair or maintenance expenses. That's all in addition to elements like personal style, technology and performance, and combining all of these qualities into one vehicle can be extremely difficult. 

To help drivers judge value, Consumer Reports releases an annual report detailing the vehicles that offer the best value. For the second year in a row, the Toyota Prius topped the list, thanks in large part to its impressive fuel economy. It also offers a low rate of depreciation, ensuring that motorists who are trying to find used cars like this hybrid are getting plenty bang for their buck. 

"The Prius' 44 mpg overall is the best fuel economy of any non-plug-in car that Consumer Reports has tested," said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports' automotive editor. "Though it's not particularly cheap to buy, the Prius' depreciation is so low that it costs less to own over the first five years than its initial MSRP. We call that a bargain."

Also ranking highly was the Honda Fit. This vehicle generally offers a low initial price, but its dependability, fuel efficiency and safety features make it a worthy investment. The brands that achieved the best results include Subaru and Mazda, both of which had a number of high-ranking automobiles land among the top choices. 

When you're searching for a car with plenty of value, you'll want to look through the selection at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, including some that offer tremendous value for drivers. 

Many qualities have to be considered as drivers shop around for a used car. Motorists almost always rank fuel economy highly on their wish-lists, and finding brands with impressive track records in this area becomes incredibly important. 

According to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Mazda topped all other brands with regard to average fuel efficiency of its vehicles. The brand boasts an average fuel economy of 27.1 mpg, which was about half a mile ahead of second-place Honda. Although the actual efficiency will vary from car to car, knowing that the brand has a strong reputation for excellent mileage, saving drivers money consistently throughout its life. 

Other manufacturers with high ratings include Volkswagen, Toyota and Subaru. All of those automakers have an average fuel economy of more than 25 mpg, providing drivers with plenty of options. Many of these automobiles have been improving for the past several years, which means that even models that are several years old offer great value for drivers. 

"While other manufacturers have turned their attention to hybrids and electric cars, we chose to focus on perfecting the base technology used in more than 90 percent of the cars and SUVs sold today: the internal combustion engine," said Jim O'Sullivan, CEO of Mazda North American Operations. "… Mazda has been able to achieve class-leading fuel economy in nearly every segment it competes in, and bring that technology – at an affordable price – to every customer." 

If you're shopping for a Mazda, or any other used car with impressive fuel efficiency, check out the selection of CARFAX-certified models at New Jersey Auto Auction. The pre-owned cars, trucks and vans present on the lot all offer excellent quality at affordable prices. 

Few cars can remain relevant after decades on the road. However, not all vehicles are the Ford Mustang, which has consistently ranked as one of the most sought-after automobiles on the market. In fact, Cars.com, which provides information on used cars, recently released the results of its annual Shoppers' Choice Awards, and the timeless muscle care was its 2013 winner.

Each year, the accolade is given to a vehicle that prospective buyers rate as one of the top options. Qualities like dependability, appearance, fuel efficiency, maintenance and longevity are all considered, as the award is given to a model that delivers throughout the years. To win, a vehicle must receive great reviews and get intense interest from car shoppers. 

"The Ford Mustang remains a favorite among shoppers," said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief of Cars.com. "In its 50th year of production, the Mustang continues to be a sports car icon, and perhaps Ford's most recognizable car ever. It is an American classic beloved by so many Americans, and the devotion to that car showed in the voting results." 

Olsen also noted that this is not the first time the Ford Mustang has appeared on the list. The sports car won the award in 2010 and has found itself among the finalists several times, showing that shoppers have consistently ranked the model as one of the top vehicles on the market, regardless of year. For 2013, the vehicle beat out models like the Chevrolet Camaro, Honda Accord, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 for the top prize. 

Ford's Mustang is just one of many sports cars or similar appealing vehicles that drivers may want to consider when shopping for a used car. Luckily, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of options that can satisfy any motorist. With hundreds of CARFAX-certified models, including from cars, trucks and vans, 

When drivers are shopping around for a used car, they typically look at qualities like fuel efficiency, safety features and maintenance costs. Another overlooked aspect of the browsing process is recommendations from others. That is why the Boston Consulting Group put together the Brand Advocacy Index, which looks at the levels of advocacy and user recommendation among different products. 

"Consumers are positively recommending the most recommended brands to their friends, family and coworkers – often spontaneously and even when they are not customers of the brand," said Steve Knox, the co-author of the study. "Their strong financial results show the power of advocacy to drive top-line growth." 

Within the auto industry, Honda, Hyundai and Kia ranked among the top brands. While the average for the auto industry was about 50 percent, those three Asia-based automakers had the highest scores for the U.S. at 63 percent in the brand ratings. Owners of those three vehicles generally liked their investment and passed on word-of-mouth recommendations to others, which frequently encouraged fellow motorists to look into the brands and survey their options. 

"Our top position in word-of-mouth recommendation rankings of auto brands in the U.S. is attributable to positive customer experiences and our brand image," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president at Kia Motors America, as quoted by Business Korea. 

When someone recommends a specific brand or type of car, it may pique your interest. That is where NJ State Auto Auction can come into play. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified vehicles from a variety of top brands, ensuring you'll be able to find a car, truck or van that meet your requirements.