Car owners pump a lot of time and money into their rides – and that means they will usually do anything to make sure their vehicles stay safe. Unfortunately, some criminals target cars and various parts, costing many drivers and insurance companies thousands of dollars in replacement parts, investigations and more. 

Tailgate Thefts Remain Problematic 
Every year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau releases a report on the prevalence of tailgate thefts throughout the U.S. In its most recent press release, the NICB stated that tailgate thefts rose about 31 percent from Jan. 1, 2012, to Dec. 31, 2013. According to the data, Texas leads all states in thefts, following by California and Arizona. Texas was also home to the three cities with the most tailgate thefts: Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. 

While those regions may make up more than two-thirds of all tailgate thefts, the problem occurs across the country. Even drivers in urban areas like New York or New Jersey need to be aware of the potential for tailgate theft – and savvy owners will take precautions to ensure their vehicles remain safe no matter where they are. 

Protecting Your Truck
Even as the number of tailgate thefts rise, drivers are able to take steps to prevent these crimes from happening to them. One of the most effective actions is to install some kind of tailgate security system or alarm. While options such as hinge locks have been around for some time, many thieves are familiar with them, and as such they can maneuver around the devices if granted enough time. So although those security checks are a good place to start, there is more that can be done. 

For example, drivers can go the extra mile to ensure they are parking safely. Pickup trucks should be backed into a spot whenever possible, situating the tailgate against a building or wall. This limits access to the piece and makes it much more difficult to steal. 

Crime could strike any driver at any time. If you want to put yourself in the best position to thwart thieves, be sure to schedule an appointment at the Total Car Care Center at NJ Auto Auction. The garage can address any issues you may have while also performing necessary auto repair to ensure all parts of your car – including its alarm – are functioning at a high level. 

If you're on the fence about whether to buy a car, there's some good news. Purchasing a vehicle is always a significant financial investment, but for those who are interested in a used car, the time to purchase may be now. Recent economic recovery has affected the auto market, and as a result, pre​-owned vehicle prices have begun to sink drastically. 

Increased supply
One potentially unforeseen consequence of the 2008 financial recession was a major increase in the number of cars that were turned over or sold to dealers. As a result, many used car providers have found themselves with an influx of pre​-owned vehicles. When the economy began to turn around in recent years, more people had more money to spend, and the increase in number of used cars meant that prices dropped lower than they had been in years.

The start of a trend
According to Reuters, this is merely the beginning of a years-long boom in used car values that drivers considering buying should take advantage of. Estimates indicated that the average price of used cars will drop by an additional 5 percent by 2017, and the National Automobile Dealers Association noted that the average used car would run around $15,000 by 2016. 

How buyers can benefit
All this number crunching is good news for buyers, as it means that the time is ripe to head to the dealer and finally take the plunge into car ownership. However, just because prices are low doesn't mean that drivers should rush into a purchasing decision. Making an informed choice when buying a used car is essential. Once you've got the cash, you should make sure to arm yourself with information as well.

Especially with more cars being on the market, prospective buyers should be extra careful to get the details on whichever model catches their attention. Cars.com recommended that knowing a used car's background – its repair history, how many miles are on its odometer and even things like what kind of use the car saw in its past life – is helpful for determining whether a ride is a good investment, regardless of the price tag. Regardless of what kind of a deal you're offered, make sure to cover your bases. Request the vehicle's repair history, take it for a test drive and even have it inspected by an independent mechanic to make sure that you're not purchasing a car that's going to cause trouble for you down the road.

When you're ready to buy a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and a helpful in-house finance team that can assist you in obtaining a loan for your vehicle. 

In today's world, the beep of a car alarm activating has become a common sound for drivers parked in public spaces. We are constantly exploring new measures to keep our cars safely in their parking spaces and out of the hands of car thieves. It makes sense – after all, autos represent significant investments and are essential to many people's livelihoods. 

Fortunately, evidence indicates that we may be able to relax a little bit. Incidents of car theft seem to have dropped across the country for a number of reasons, making this an ideal time for wary motorists to reconsider their dream of car ownership.

Car theft bites the dust
The days of unwitting drivers returning to their parking spots to find their cars stripped or completely gone may be coming to a close. A recent article from The New York Times indicated that instances of auto theft have dropped exponentially in the past two decades. While one in every 50 New York City residents experienced a stolen car in 1990, today the numbers have plummeted to just one in 1,100 – a drop off of 96 percent. 

This is good news for motorists, for sure, but raises an interesting question of what exactly has caused the sharp decline in shady practices. 

Technology to the rescue
It's become a cultural truth in the 21st century that technology improves many aspects of our lives, and security is no exception. As cars have become more technologically advanced, so too have the measures we use to protect them, from the simple Club up to the GPS anti-theft system. One ingenious piece of auto protection fits right into the palm of your hand, The New York Times explained. Introduced in the late '90s and early into this century, engine immobilizer systems prevent cars from starting without the presence of a specific microchip present only in the ignition key. As a result of this technology, hotwiring – starting a car without a key by bypassing its ignition sequence – may become a thing of the past.

Bad for business
One important point to make is that this technology has hit the car thieving business as a whole. As The Washington Post indicated, more complicated anti-theft systems mean cars take longer to steal and come with a higher risk of being caught and prosecuted. Ultimately, swiping somebody's ride simply isn't good business anymore.

If you're looking for a high-quality used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help you afford the used vehicle that's right for you. 

When it comes to cars and driving, people tend to do everything they can to drive safely so they can protect themselves and their family and reduce costly repairs. However, some drivers may find it more difficult to reduce or fully eliminate risks behind the wheel. Data has found that obese drivers tend to face more driving-related difficulties. Not only may they encounter trouble when it comes to shopping for cars, but they also may find themselves at greater risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Purchasing considerations
People who are shopping for a car are looking for a vehicle that fits their budget and lifestyle. Drivers who are obese face an additional criterion that can throw a wrench in the works – they also need a car that fits their body type. While not a significant consideration for some drivers, there are others for whom that is a very real issue. Unfortunately, with the auto industry's recent push toward smaller cars, the issue is more relevant now than ever before. In fact, according to AOL Autos, the percentage of the obese population in the U.S. is expected to climb to 43 percent by 2018.

This is an issue not just for the affected drivers, but for the auto industry as well. The recent industry focus on smaller, lighter weight and more fuel-efficient vehicles finds manufacturers making more cars that fewer of their potential customers are comfortable driving. 

Safety too
Recent study data has revealed that, unfortunately, obese drivers are more likely to face health and safety complications in the event of an accident than other drivers. A study reported by Medical News Today found that drivers who were medically classified as obese were found to be up to 80 percent more likely to die in a car crash than smaller motorists. Whether this is due to additional health concerns commonly associated with the condition or as a result of standard car safety features like airbags and seatbelts not being properly fitted for larger frames, the statistics are alarming.

Of course, that's not to say that obese drivers are at greater risk of having an accident in the first place – safe driving practices are learned, and are in no way dependent on superficial physical attributes such as size. But the safety risks such drivers face is a problem that the auto industry needs to work toward solving.

If you're looking for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. You'll find hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team ready to help you finance a high-quality used vehicle.

It isn't just drivers who are interested in doing everything they can to get the most out of their gas tanks. In recent years, several car manufacturers have been focusing their efforts on fuel efficiency for some of their newer models. From experimenting with aerodynamic design to lighter-weight, space-age body materials to diving deeper into hybrid engine design, car engineers have made better gas mileage a priority, a goal which will undoubtedly lead to benefits for those driving the cars as well.

Space-age design
Looking at some of the design trends engineers have been experimenting with recently, many auto workshops are starting to resemble science fiction sets. Edmunds reported that engineers have started focusing on body designs aimed at making cars sleeker and, ultimately, more fuel efficient. Aerodynamic design is not a new thing in the auto world, as anyone who's been to a Formula One track can attest. However, whereas the focus of previous aerodynamic engineering was to make cars faster, engineers are now looking to make them more fuel efficient. The result is a less drastic visual divergence from standard auto bodies, but while you may not notice the difference on the lot, your wallet sure will when it's time to fill up your tank.

In addition to modifying the shape of cars, many engineers are doing everything they can to make them lighter. The Tennessean reported that automakers industrywide are experimenting with lighter materials such as carbon fiber and aluminum for their car bodies. 

Hybrid engines
Hybrid cars have been around in some form or other since 1999, and they're only growing in prevalence in the auto market. According to The Chicago Tribune, the number of hybrid models has grown in that time from two to 71 in just 15 years. Drivers have been somewhat reluctant to hop aboard the hybrid bandwagon, as the newer technology comes at a price – hybrid cars in general cost a considerable amount more than non-hybrid models in comparable classes. 

However, experts are finding that those willing to invest may find themselves reaping much longer-term financial savings in the form of fuel efficiency. A study conducted by Vincentric found that while hybrids cost more, just five years of hybrid ownership can save over $3,000 in fuel costs.

If you're shopping for a used car, head to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance team on hand to help you afford a high-quality used car, truck or van.

Good news for car owners and enthusiasts: 2014 has already seen some very positive and promising indications that the auto industry may be on its way to being back on its feet. 

Despite recent economic gut-punches that have led to things like plummeting car values and closing plants, car enthusiasts demonstrated earlier this year that their dedication to their passion hasn't waned and, if anything, is actually on the rise. The Detroit Free Press reported that back in January, the North American International Auto Show held in Detroit attracted more than 800,000 attendees for the first time since 2003. 

"The industry is healthy, the products and technology are spectacular, and confidence is high," Bob Shuman, NAIAS chairman, told the source. 

The iconic exhibition drawing in the biggest crowd in over a decade is more than just a statistical curiosity. It looks like America's renewed auto fever is having impacts on car owners all over the country. A report published by Kelley Blue Book indicated that March saw car values rise sharply across all classes. Current owners of midsize sedans and compact cars have particular reason to smile, as these classes have seen the largest percentage increase in value year-to-date.

According to the Kelley Blue Book report, March saw large spikes in the value of used cars in particular, with an increase of 1.4 percent on average. While encouraging, this is hardly surprising, as Kelley Blue Book reported the used car market has been particularly strong throughout the winter season and heading into the spring thaw.

Celebrate your passion for cars by coming down to NJ State Auto Auction. There are hundreds of Carfax-certified cars on the lot, and an in-house finance department to help you get approved for a loan. You may find yourself driving away with a high-quality used car, truck or van.