The brand of a vehicle can have a significant impact on the buying process for drivers. Although you may start the task with an open mind, it's easy to be swayed by the opinions of peers and experts, attractive prices, flashy commercials or anything else you encounter as you shop. 

With positive reviews, impressive car sales and plenty of other promising news dominating the headlines, it was easy for some brands to separate themselves from the rest with regard to auto sales. According to IHS Automotive, there were five brands that boasted major increases in business in 2013. A few of these top performers were luxury automakers, such as Maserati and Jaguar, but others were more affordable manufacturers that may be appealing to everyday drivers. 

One option is Subaru. Superior safety features, comfortable interiors and family friendly amenities make models like the Forester, BR-Z and Impreza highly regarded. Ram also stood apart from competitors, in large part because the Ram 1500 pickup truck is ranked among the best on the market. 

Drivers who want a slightly more luxurious option may appreciate the success Cadillac had in 2013. That brand stood out with creations like the Escalade, SRX and ATS, which helped it outperform similar automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. 

While these five brands may have stood out from the rest, that doesn't mean they were the only ones to perform well in 2013. In fact, the vast majority of the segment had a successful year, which in turn opens many doors for prospective buyers. 

No matter what brands you're considering for your purchase, you may be able to find what you're looking for at NJ State Auto. The auction lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans, including many that blend high-quality performance with an affordable price tag. 

With so many options available to shoppers considering used cars, it's easy to get caught up in the rush of browsing through vehicles. There are many different routes drivers can go, and all of those choices can be overwhelming, causing some stress for prospective buyers. 

To make the shopping process easier, Consumer Reports has compiled a list of the Best and Worst Used Cars. The vehicles included on the list were all produced between 2004 and 2013, making the automobiles solid choices for drivers. 

“When shopping for a used car, it's really important to find a car that drives well and will hold up down the road,” said Rik Paul, the auto editor of Consumer Reports. “Our guide makes it easy for shoppers to choose a great used car by highlighting the best small cars, sedans and SUVs in four different price ranges.” 

Among SUVs, Consumer Reports selected the 2006-2007 Lexus RX and the 2009-2010 Subaru Forester. These models represent two sides of the spectrum for drivers, with the Lexus offering a more upscale ride and the Forester representing an ideal option for families. 

For sedans and small cars, vehicles like the Toyota Camry, Acura TL, Hyundai Elantra and Subaru Impreza topped the list. These vehicles are available with options such as hybrid technology, and many have features like sporty handling, extra legroom, impressive fuel economy and more. 

If you're searching for a place to begin the search for the right used car, then look no further than NJ State Auto Auction. The lot has a wide selection of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that offer excellent performance and high quality at a relatively low cost. 

Certain automobiles lend themselves well to below-prime buyers, thanks in large part to affordable prices and low ownership costs. CarFinance.com recently compiled a list of the top 10 options for below-prime buyers, and the results showed that certain vehicles and brands are tops when it comes to merging quality and price. 

Below-prime buyers are frequently turning to auto loans to purchase used cars, but that doesn't change the fact that they are typically drawn to certain vehicles. Compact cars and trucks are among the top choices for these drivers, but regardless of the type of vehicle, they always keep an eye out for good value. 

“The CarFinance.com Top 10 List offers a snapshot of the vehicle preferences of consumers credited with helping drive U.S. auto sales growth,” said Jim Landy, CEO of CarFinance. “The automaker brands that show up on these lists should take note: today's below-prime car buyer – who is already rebuilding credit with a car purchase – could be your brand-loyal prime customer of tomorrow.” 

Topping the list of vehicles were the Dodge Avenger and Kia Optima. The two cars tied for the No. 1 spot, thanks in large part to low sticker prices, decent fuel economy and amenities, and strong safety features. They were followed by the Kia Forte, Ford Focus and Kia Soul, all of which boasted a nice blend of the qualities that below-prime buyers are looking for. 

You may be looking for one of these popular choices or any other type of used car, but no matter what your preferences are, you could find the right investment at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that could prove to be a good fit for you. 

It's been less than a month since the Super Bowl was held in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but some of the commercials aired during the big game have already paid dividends for parent companies. To determine which promos have the biggest impact, YouTube conducts its annual Ad Blitz contest, which asks viewers to identify the ads that were the most memorable and effective. 

For the fourth consecutive year, Chrysler emerged as a winner of the Ad Blitz competition. The brand's "America's Import" spot, which ran for two minutes and featured narration by Bob Dylan, was cited as the most memorable auto commercial from the game by viewers. 

"The annual YouTube Ad Blitz poll is a key indicator of impact of the Super Bowl commercials, and we are proud to hold the top auto position now for the fourth consecutive year," said Olivier Francois, CMO for Chrysler. "This year's two-minute commercial entitled 'America's Import' struck a chord with millions of viewers …" 

"America's Import" did not fare as well in the overall rankings despite being the No. 1 car commercial. It only ranked third out of all ads that aired during the Super Bowl – certainly nothing to scoff at. It was only beaten by the "Puppy Adoption" commercial and the Coca-Cola ad celebrating the diversity of the U.S. 

Whether the Super Bowl piqued your interest in Chrysler or any other brand, you can continue the shopping experience at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans from a wide variety of automakers. These vehicles also come in many different styles and price ranges, ensuring that any driver can find something that appeals to them. 

Finding a used car can be difficult, especially when drivers are faced with a wide variety of choices that they must wade through before selecting just the right fit. The good news is that there are a number of brands that stand apart from their competitors with regard to comfort, performance and style, and one of those selections may be the top choice for motorists. 

Consumer Reports recently released its Car Brand Report Cards, which grade the various offerings on the auto market. The rankings detail some of the best-performing brands within each segment, and the results may shed a light on which options are the most reliable. 

One takeaway from the list: There are many options for drivers who want to invest in a used car. Luxury brands such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz were two of the top finishers, while manufacturers like Chrysler, Infiniti and Subaru also ranked highly. 

“The competition in the marketplace has grown fierce. There was a time when a handful of brands dominated our Top Picks list, but in recent years we've seen a more diverse group make the cut,” said Rik Paul, Consumer Reports' automotive editor.

Although there is some diversity among the top picks, Japanese brands on the whole performed well in the Consumer Reports testing. In addition to Subaru and Infiniti, automakers like Toyota, Mazda and Honda were also well regarded. 

No matter what brands you are looking for, you may be able to find the right investment at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that are high-quality options without the equally high price tag. Plus, the facility is also home to a financing department, which can help prospective buyers determine which auto loans and payment options are best for them. 

It's not uncommon to hear drivers refer to their cars by a name or treat the vehicles with extra special care. In fact, many of these motorists may go as far as to say that they love their cars. After all, they spend a big chunk of time with the machines and often have to invest a lot of money in them as well, so it's natural to have some kind of affinity for these vehicles. 

Recently, a company called Strategic Vision set out to determine which vehicles in the U.S. were the most loved by owners. It conducted a survey to see which automobiles drivers had a strong affinity toward, allowing motorists to decide what they look for in a car and if their current vehicles were up to snuff. 

The winners were divided up by category, but a few of the automobiles stood out from the rest. For example, the Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 were named the most-loved full-size and heavy-duty trucks, respectively, and vehicles like the Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Sentra and Ford Explorer also ranked highly. However, one automobile did outscore all of the others to stake its claim at the top of the list: the Tesla Model S. 

"In our full-year automotive study, the winners both surprise and delight some pundits in the industry," said Christopher Chaney, the executive vice president of Strategic Vision. "Love creates vehicles that have a strong position in their markets and is ultimately expressed in being loyal." 

If you're searching for a vehicle that you could love, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans, providing many options to drivers with different styles and budgets. 

Finding good value is an important part of shopping for a used car. After all, although a vehicle may have been previously owned, it can still offer a fun driving experience as well as strong performance. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to track down these vehicles, which is why accolades like Kiplinger's Best Value Awards may help motorists sift through the noise and find the car of their dreams. 

Kiplinger's Personal Finance recently rated the Honda Accord and Honda Odyssey as two of the winners of its Best Value Awards. These accolades recognized automobiles that blend a relatively affordable price with excellent features and amenities. The Accord was recognized among cars, while the Odyssey earned the title of Best in Class for the Minivan category. 

"The Accord and the Odyssey each hold benchmark status in their classes for fuel efficiency, fun-to-drive character, safety ratings and tangible value," said Michael Accavitti, the senior vice president of automobile operations at Honda. "We are proud to once again be recognized for offering true value to our customers." 

This is just the latest in a long line of awards given to Honda vehicles. Frequently singled out for their excellent fuel economy, safety features, handling and passenger comfort, these automobiles are known for their reliability and value – two qualities that make them an attractive option for used car shoppers. 

At New Jersey State Auto Auction, you can find plenty of used Honda vehicles, as well as offerings from a variety of other high-quality brands. The lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans, making it easy to find used cars that fit seamlessly with your style and budget. 

Image is everything. The way the general public views a certain auto brand or style of car can influence the decision to purchase the vehicle or the review they give to others. Consumer Reports recently conducted a study to see what perceptions of certain auto brands were like, and the results showed that a few stalwarts continue to dominate the driver mindset. 

According to the study, consumers view Toyota as the top brand overall – at least with regard to quality, safety, performance, value, fuel economy, design and technology. The brand has a 25-point lead over Ford, which sits in second place. Honda and Chevrolet were also ranked highly based on the public's overall positive perception of them. 

"The key word is 'perception.' Consumers are influenced by word of mouth, marketing and hands-on experience," said Jeff Bartlett, deputy automotive editor of Consumer Reports. "Often, perception can be a trailing indicator, reflecting years of good or bad performance in a category, and it can also be influenced by headlines in the media." 

A few other brands managed to make great strides in the rankings. Tesla jumped up 47 points, thanks in large part to the success of the Model S, while Subaru also posted strong improvements. Safety was key for both of these automakers, as drivers recognized them as offering top-notch features, which bumped up the scores. 

One of these brands could prove to be the rest investment for you. If you're considering an investment in a used car, browse through the selection at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to many Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that can fit any budget.