Fuel efficiency is one of the most important qualities that drivers look for in a future vehicle. In recent years, the high price of gas caused many motorists to turn to electric or hybrid vehicles as well as smaller, compact sedans that offer great mileage. However, experts predict that the average cost of fuel could drop to below $3 per gallon by the end of the year, providing plenty of relief for all drivers. 

CNBC reported that gas prices are already at the lowest mark of the year for much of the country. Approximately 35 states have stations will costs under $3 per gallon, with these establishments representing about 15 percent of all gas pumps in the U.S., according to data from AAA. 

The lower prices are largely due to an abundance of gasoline around the country. This should last for several months, which could encourage prospective buyers to look around for car models that offer a wider range of fuel economy. Instead of smaller vehicles, many of these drivers could turn to SUVs, pickup trucks and other large automobiles in the near future. 

"There's little demand in the fourth quarter and plenty of supply out there," Anthony Grizanti, a trader from GRZ Energy, told CNBC. "Fundamentals have finally taken center stage. … Prices probably won't start to rise again until Valentine's Day as we anticipate the spring and summer driving season of 2014. But for now, this market is very well supplied." 

As gas prices continue to drop, drivers may be able to consider purchasing different types of used cars than what has been popular in the past few years. At New Jersey State Auto Auction, motorists can browse through hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, truck and vans that could be a great option for their next ride. 

For drivers thinking about buying a used car, the options may seem endless. Choosing from a wide selection of makes, models, years and colors is a difficult task, but in recent years the economic landscape played a greater role in this process than personal preference. However, now that the U.S. economy is on the road to recovery and gas prices are dropping back down from their record highs, prospective buyers have more options when they hit a used car lot. 

The Detroit Free Press reported that more Americans are starting to consider pickup trucks and SUVs when searching for a car. The recession caused many to look for smaller, compact models that boasted excellent fuel efficiency, but with gas prices returning to a manageable level and many recent pickup models improving mileage, these larger vehicles are becoming more attractive to drivers. 

"It is almost a perfect storm right now for truck sales to be strong," Jessica Caldwell, of Edmunds.com, told The Detroit Free Press. "And there is pent-up demand in that market as well." 

According to AAA, the current average cost of a gallon of gas is $3.25, which is lowest it has been in nearly a year. That price is also 11 cents cheaper than just one month ago, and the figure looks to keep falling. The ability to refuel without breaking the bank is one that all drivers want, so the fact that the pump prices are dropping may open up many opportunities for future car buyers. 

For a look at some of the best used pickup trucks available, head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified vehicles, and one of the trucks could prove to be the right choice for a driver on the hunt for a pre-owned automobile. 

Reliability is one of the most important qualities motorists look for as they search for a used car. While many of the models in today's market boast long life spans and require little vehicle maintenance, a few brands stand out above others. 

Recently, Endurance released a list of reliable automobiles, Using data from insurance claims, the company found which vehicles needed the most frequent work over a three-year period.

The final results showed that pickup trucks were the most reliable, with only 29 percent of all claims involving the vehicles. That is particularly impressive when you consider that pickup trucks are among the most popular automobiles for drivers across the U.S., and they are frequently used in intense situations that could lead to damage. However, pickups are also engineered to be more rugged and handle these extreme scenarios, which may contribute to their durability. 

Following pickup trucks were sedans, which accounted for 34 percent of all claims, and SUVs, which made up 39 percent. Minivans were the least reliable, with 41 percent of all claims involving these passenger vehicles. 

These results may demonstrate general trends, but there are a number of opportunities for drivers to find individual models that are extremely reliable. Whether you are searching for something that will protect your entire family or provide a cost-effective mode of transportation as you go about your day-to-day life, you may want to consider vehicles that have a reputation for being reliable. 

When you're searching for a reliable used car, consider checking out the selection at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The auction late has hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that could prove to be a worthy option for drivers. 

For the past several years, drivers have been able to reap the rewards of a pool of high-quality used cars for sale. The improved performance and function of pre-owned vehicles on the market, combined with a low supply and high demand, caused prices of these automobiles to skyrocket. However, all signs point to these costs falling in the near future, allowing more motorists to purchase a used car. 

According to The New York Times, prices are beginning to fall from the uptick during the recession, when automakers pulled back production and created a shortage of used vehicles. The National Automotive Dealers Association predicts that the price of used cars between 1 and 3 years old will drop by at least 1.5 percent in 2013. Total sales of pre-owned automobiles could climb as high as 41 million transactions, the news source reported. 

The end of a car shortage may also mean good things for people who need to use loans and other financing options to afford a used vehicle. Whereas the short supply drove up prices, the recent drop should make payments easier to manage and could even cut back on interest rates as well. 

"It's always hard to find a good, clean used car, and it will always be that way," David W. Westcott, chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association, told The New York Times. "But is it better now than it was three or four years ago? Absolutely." 

If you want to make your search for a used car easier, consider heading to a spot like New Jersey State Auto Auction. There, you'll find hundreds of CARFAX-certified options in one place, which can take a lot of the difficulty out of the hunt and bring you closer to finding a high-quality pre-owned vehicle. 

Shopping for a used car can be a complicated process, which is why so many drivers are constantly on the lookout for tools that can help. One of the biggest advantages may be something as simple as a mobile device. A growing number of motorists are beginning to turn to smartphones to help them research cars. 

According to a recent study from AutoTrader.com, only 23 percent of people are using mobile devices as they shop for cars. That number is expected to more than double by 2018, especially since more than 80 percent of people think researching potential rides across multiple devices has its advantages. 

"With slightly less than a quarter of car shoppers using multiple devices, we are clearly still in the early stages of multi-device car shopping, but the 77 percent who are left will be hopping on the bandwagon soon enough," said Isabelle Helms, a senior director of AutoTrader.com. "… We have seen in some of our other research that the Internet has created significant efficiencies in the car shopping process, reducing the total amount of time consumers spend shopping by several hours." 

Part of the reason drivers save time is because they're able to look up facts about different makes and models on the go. For example, if a vehicle on the street catches their eye, they can immediately look up the average cost of used models as well as some of the best features. As three-fourths of car shopping research is spontaneous, the use of mobile devices is extremely helpful. 

Drivers ready to continue their car shopping can head to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is filled with CARFAX-certified vehicles that are both affordable and high-performing. Armed with a smartphone and previous research, and with the help of the knowledgeable workers on site, you can quickly find a used car that's perfect for you. 

People all across the U.S. are watching the current government shutdown and wondering how it will affect their everyday lives. While most regular motorists might not think political issues impact their daily commutes, the shutdown has also halted operations of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As a result, the NHTSA was forced to stop safety testing of automobiles and will not issue recall notifications or address consumer complaints. 

The NHTSA is a part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, which has furloughed more than half of its employees in the auto realm for the duration of the government shutdown. Although drivers can still submit complaints to the agency and automakers are able to issue their own recalls, a lack of funding and a stripped-down crew means that the NHTSA won't be able to investigate issues or spread the word to the public.

"If an automaker does a recall, it might be because they know government investigators are on the trail," Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center For Auto Safety, told AOL Autos. "Without those investigations … in the long term, it could significantly endanger consumer safety." 

This work stoppage could potentially cause safety issues to arise. To prevent problems, drivers will have to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to preventative maintenance and tune ups. They also may have to pay special attention to auto news in the event a manufacturer releases a recall notice or update.

With the closures, drivers will have to do their best to make sure their vehicles are operating in top condition. One solution may be to take cars in for a check in at the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. The garage caters to the public and is more than capable of handing any issues the automobile may have. 

When a teenager is first learning how to drive, safety is of paramount importance. Parents want to make sure their child is behind the wheel of a secure, high-quality car, but they also do not want to put a big dent in their wallets. Luckily, there are some used cars for sale that offer safety without requiring Mom and Dad to go over budget. 

A list compiled by CarInsurance.com took a look at the top options for teen drivers. Each of the used models included on the list is from the year 2009 and features relatively low insurance rates as well as compact designs that lend themselves to more stability on the roads. 

Coming in at the top of the selections was the Ford Taurus. With solid fuel economy and low-cost maintenance, the Taurus is a safe and roomy choice for families. The Taurus narrowly edged out the Honda Accord, which was selected thanks to its large interior and impressive longevity. 

Drivers who want their investment to have a sleeker look may be drawn to automobiles like the Ford Fusion or Subaru Legacy. These options boast all-wheel drive capable of offering safety in all types of weather without sacrificing an attractive exterior design. Similarly, the Volkswagen Jetta provides exemplary performance and fuel economy along with solid safety features and handling. 

If you're looking for a used car that can serve and protect your teen, check out the selection at New Jersey State Auto Auction. The auction lot has many affordable CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that can act as a safe option for young drivers. With a great collection of vehicles offering a prime balance of safety, performance and value, the facility may have just the right car for you. 

Mileage is one of the most important factors motorists look to when searching for a used car. It is not easy to find the fuel economy of older vehicles, however, especially because there is so much different information available. A new program from the U.S. Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency aims to change that. 

The new initiative allows sellers of used cars to display labels describing the mpg ratings and carbon dioxide emissions estimates on the vehicles. These figures would be displayed in addition to the miles accumulated, which is often shown on cars for sale. Labels will be available for all automobiles produced after 1984. 

Despite the fact that these vehicles are used, the fuel economy and emissions numbers should remain accurate. As long as a car had proper maintenance throughout the course of its life, both fuel efficiency and carbon pollution should remain at a steady level. 

Prospective buyers should welcome this change. Not only will it make it easier to compare the cost of owning various automobiles, but it will also allow shoppers to be a bit more environmentally conscious as they hunt for their future ride. With more information, they are better qualified to make a decision and select a used car that offers reliability and value. 

Drivers searching for a fuel-efficient used car need to explore all of their options. One of the best to check out is New Jersey State Auto Auction, which is filled with CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans. These pre-owned vehicles can be thoroughly researched before purchase to learn anything you need to know about mileage, maintenance and repairs. 

With hurricane season arriving and heavy rains approaching much of the country, floods are a common threat. However, what many people do not realize is that these rising waters can cause extreme damage to vehicles as well as other property, and in countless situations, the automobiles left on the roads are sold to unsuspecting buyers. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission, vehicles damaged by Hurricane Sandy are still being sold. CARFAX estimated that more than 212,000 automobiles that had water damage are still on the roads, with about two-thirds in 10 states, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York. Other storms and floods around the U.S. could affect cars that are then shipped to other areas and sold.  

"Our research proves that flood-damaged cars are everywhere," said Larry Gamache, the communications director at CARFAX. "It's big business for professional con men to quickly clean up and resell these cars miles from where the flooding occurred. Consumers need to look out for flooded cars no matter where they live. They're a serious danger to anyone who unknowingly buys one." 

Although many of these vehicles may look fine on the outside, there may be instances of water damage and corrosion on the inside that leads to poor performance and potentially dangerous situations. Water can also wreak havoc on an electrical system, allow mold to grow within a ventilation unit or interfere with the operation of safety features.

Drivers can rest assured that they are finding quality used cars for sale at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot carries CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, allowing prospective buyers to select an option that is both affordable and of good quality. 

The Volkswagen Golf has been named the Used Car of the Year by one widely read buyer's guide. What Car? magazine awarded the Golf with the accolade thanks to the vehicle's superior dependability and affordable price, with a panel of automotive experts selecting the seventh-generation vehicle as one of the top choices for a used car investment. 

The Golf was also rated as one of the best options for family cars. It won the top prize in its class last year as well, and a number of the features motorists liked the most continue to be included on Volkswagen models, ensuring that the pool of used Golf vehicles remains high in quality. 

"The What Car? used car of the year and family car winner, the Volkswagen Golf has consistently proved that you don't have to buy big to get impressive cabin quality and refinement," said John McIlroy, editor of the publication. "Volkswagen has got it right with the Golf, each generation of Golf gets better and better, making it such a great used car buy." 

Not only do experts believe the Golf is a great option for used cars, but it seems shoppers do as well. The vehicle was viewed twice as much as any other car on one auto information website, showing that many prospective buyers are curious about this model and its many benefits. 

Drivers looking for a Volkswagen Golf or similar model may want to head down to New Jersey State Auto Auction to check out the selection of used cars for sale. The lot has many CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans that could be the right choice for a pre-owned vehicle.