Owning a car is growing less important to younger drivers, and a new report by Zipcar found that cars are taking a backseat to other technologies, such as smartphones and laptops, for the Millennial generation. The survey of those between the ages of 18 and 34 found that almost two-thirds are more concerned about losing either their phones or computers than they are about losing their vehicles. Millennial drivers who live in urban areas take advantage of car-sharing programs like Zipcar, Relay Rides and Wheelz to access vehicles when they need them instead of taking on the responsibility of car ownership. Many of these peer-to-peer car sharing companies further connect with this generation of drivers by allowing them to reserve vehicles directly from apps on their smartphones.

"We're living through the most important shift in transportation in generations – the creation of a new mobility society. Soon we'll live in major metropolitan areas that include networks of ubiquitous, mobile-app powered on-demand mobility services," said Zipcar chairman and CEO Scott Griffith. "These mobility networks will enable connected consumers to pick the best mode of transportation for each trip, in real-time. Millennials are leading the charge for this highly efficient new model that is revolutionizing how people get around."

These findings help to explain a recent report by Pew Research, which found fewer people under 35 own cars. This study found the recent recession to be a major factor in lower ownership rates, but it could be a combination of both factors, especially because many younger adults tend to live in urban areas where they can rely on public transportation for much of their travel needs.

Those who live in suburban and rural areas where car-sharing programs, buses and trains may not be as accessible may still need to own cars, but they don't need to break the bank to have a set of wheels. There are plenty of affordable and reliable used cars, and those in the New York/New Jersey area can find a wide selection of them at NJ State Auto Auction.