When you’re shopping around for a used car, searching for a model with top-notch safety features is incredibly important. After all, even a pre-owned vehicle can boast some of the most effective safety measures on the market – drivers just have to know where to look.

Honda recently revealed that it has created more top safety-rated cars than any other brand. Between Honda and its luxury counterpart, Acura, there are several models that have achieved the best possible ranking from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, which is based on performance in multiple crash tests.

“Honda and its passionate engineers are delivering crash safety test performance at industry-leading levels as a result of our strong and continuous focus on innovation in safety technology and vehicle design,” said Art St. Cyr, a vice president at American Honda Motor Co. “When you add safety leadership to our world-class durability, inventive packaging and top-class fuel efficiency, you’ve got the makings for a really smart choice for American car buyers.”

One of the benefits of Honda vehicles, along with several similar automakers, is the fact that the safety measures included in the models have stood above the rest for years. That is good news for prospective buyers, as they can be sure they are purchasing high-quality vehicles even when shopping for used cars.

If you’re looking for a used car to meet your needs, consider checking out the selection at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans, and many of those options are from recent years – meaning they have plenty of superior safety features. You’ll be able to find

The Super Bowl has come and gone, and at the end of the day, the real winners of the big event are car shoppers. With so many high-profile commercials filling the ad space during the game, there was plenty of opportunities to get acquainted with some of the coolest rides in the U.S. 

AutoTrader.com tracked interest in certain makes and models throughout the game, following which brands made the biggest impact on the general public. Luxury brands like Maserati made a splash, as searches for the Ghibli model jumped more than 2,000 percent. Similarly, Jaguar experienced a 1,460 percent increase in searches following its high-profile ad, which featured three prominent English actors. 

Other vehicles, including the Audi A3, Toyota Highlander and Ford Fusion, also saw an increase in interest due to memorable commercials. According to AutoTrader, Kia came out near the top, as the brand has a whole had interest grow 150 percent in the hour after its first commercial. 

"It's not easy to achieve these kinds of large shifts in search activity at the brand level, so it's clear that these ads were doing something right," said John Kovac, the vice president of marketing at AutoTrader. "The Kia ad in particular was a great example of leveraging smart creative to shift brand perception in a very relevant, intentional way, and it definitely resonated with car shoppers." 

Commercials may be a good way to bring attention to certain brands, but ultimately, the decision about which vehicle to purchase will come down to several different factors. Although the Super Bowl ads didn't spend a lot of time delving into important qualities such as fuel efficiency, auto repair statistics and other factors, you can learn more about these aspects at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans that can fit in a variety of budgets. 

With this weekend's Super Bowl set to match up the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., most of the attention has been focused on what sets these two teams apart on the field. However, there are many similarities between the two cities, including the types of vehicles that residents like to drive. 

To get a closer look at what fans of these teams enjoy driving, Cars.com conducted a study examining the buying habits of drivers in both cities. In each location, the Ford F-150 was the most popular automobile – which doesn't come as a surprise, considering it's the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. This was just the tip of the iceberg, however, as the majority of the automobiles searched for and purchased in each metropolis were trucks and SUVs. 

“Even though they are more than 1,000 miles apart, Seattle and Denver are similar in their demographic composition, which is reflected directly in how close they car-buying preferences are in each city,” said Jesse Toprak, the chief analyst at Cars.com. “Adverse climate is also clearly influencing buyer preferences, with SUVs and trucks dominating the rankings.” 

Additionally, buyers seemed to be curious about models such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and brands like Subaru. Both were among the most popular searches and final purchases in the two cities. 

While Denver and Seattle may be alike in their general car-buying preferences, there are people who don't fit in those trends. To find a wide array of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans, head to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot has hundreds of pre-owned vehicles that could be perfect for your next investment, regardless of what team you root for. 

What keeps a driver coming back to a particular brand? For some, it may be a vehicle's impressive fuel economy or safety features that convince them to continue buying from the brand. Others may appreciate the overall comfort and driving experience that an automaker offers. While everyone may have different qualities that inspire them to remain loyal to a certain brand, there are a few models that offer so many benefits that a wide range of owners take notice. 

Each year, IHS Automotive presents the Polk Loyalty Awards, which recognize the vehicles that inspire drivers to buy from that brand again in the future. Data examined what automobiles drivers turned to in 2013, and the results showed that a few manufacturers make an impression more than others. 

Chrysler is one company that performed well. Its Town & Country earned top honors in the minivan segment for the 13th year in a row, which is a record for the Loyalty Awards. The brand also had its Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Challenger and Fiat 500 win prizes for their respective categories. 

"Chrysler Group's emphasis on owner loyalty across their lineup is an indicator that the organization is truly working with consumers to bring them back," said Jeffrey Anderson, a director at IHS Automotive. "To see five awards across multiple segments is impressive, and Town & Country's run is unprecedented." 

Whether you're shopping for one of these Chrysler vehicles or models from any other brand, you may be able to find what you're looking for at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot houses hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans from a variety of automakers, and one of these options could be right for your next investment. 

Are you eager to buy a used car? If you're like many other prospective buyers, then you're likely organizing options based on the special features and technology they can offer you. That's a common behavior, as evidenced by the recent J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Avoider Study, which focused on the buying habits of motorists throughout the country. 

According to the research, advanced technology is one of the main reasons why drivers set out to make a purchase. In fact, those amenities even sway motorists toward domestic brands, such as Ford, Chrysler and General Motors. About 38 percent of people who buy a domestic vehicle say that the technology was one of the main factors in their decision-making process, compared to just 33 percent of those who purchase an imported car. 

"Domestic brands in general are carving out a niche for themselves by offering vehicles with the latest technological features, and it appears to be getting the attention of consumers," said Jon Osborn, a research director at J.D. Power. "It's important for automakers to understand what motivates … buyers to shop and purchase a particular model, and focus on promoting those top purchase influencers to differentiate themselves and gain market share." 

Other factors that contribute to the automobile decisions include gas mileage and sticker price, which are the top two reasons drivers choose a given vehicle. Additionally, qualities such as exterior styling, peer reviews and environmental concerns could sway a driver  from one car or another. 

Used car lots such as New Jersey State Auto Auction have everything from domestic vehicles to foreign-made cars. Drivers are able to sift through hundreds of Carfax-certified vehicles to find the one model that is right for them. 

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.