Consumers have been more likely to borrow money in recent months, and they continued the trend in January. The Federal Reserve says borrowing grew by 17.8 billion that month, bringing the total to almost pre-recession levels, The Associated Press reports.

One of the biggest reasons for the increase was a jump in the number of people applying for auto and student loans. Economists pointed out that this is the most consumers have borrowed in that segment for more than a decade. The findings are encouraging and signal growing confidence that the economy is well on its way to recovery.

"We have begun to see in the past few months a sign of greater confidence with households more willing to take on debt," economist Ellen Zentner told the AP. "As long as we keep having job growth, I expect to see credit growth pick up."

While the climate for auto loans is improving, that doesn't mean consumers should not take the same appropriate steps when getting approved for financing. According to Edmunds, there are a number of things you should do, especially in a recovering economy.

Perhaps the most important step to take before applying for a loan is to get a credit check. Not only will this give you a good idea of your standing but it will help you iron out any discrepancies there might be. Additionally, you should be prepared to make a larger down payment given the economy.

Regardless of your credit situation, New Jersey State Auto Auction offers guaranteed approval. Thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, NJ Auto can have you driving away in a quality used car in no time.

The cost of fuel continues to climb, and a recent CarGurus forecast indicates consumers can expect to see the price tags on fuel-efficient used cars start to rise as well.

According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the national average on Monday, March 5 is nearly $3.77 per gallon. In a few states such as California, Illinois and New York, the average fuel cost is between $3.87 and $4.38 per gallon. When the cost of fuel rises, many drivers consider trading in their current vehicles for models with better fuel economy. This surge drives up the prices of used cars, which could make it less economical to get a different car in the long run.

"Gas prices have proven a reliable indicator of where used car prices are headed, and consumers in the market for a fuel-efficient used car this year should be mindful of that correlation," said Langley Steinert, founder and CEO of CarGurus. "The best advice for shoppers is the get ahead of the cycle by buying soon, when they will find the best deals on small, fuel-efficient used cars. Alternatively, consumers should consider waiting until the fall and winter months when there is typically less price volatility in the used car marketplace."

Whether drivers are ready to buy now, or are just starting their search for a used car, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of fuel-efficient used vehicles, the dealer is sure to offer many choices for consumers, even those with less than perfect credit. Thanks to a partnership with Credit Acceptance Corporation, drivers can be approved for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.

Hyundai has been climbing the ranks of the automotive industry to become one of the best-selling brands in America. Since the brand is building a new, reliable image and shedding its former reputation for supplying vehicles with questionable quality, its sales are rapidly growing and so are the prices, according to USA Today.

"They really changed people's minds," Jessica Caldwell, an Edmunds.com analyst, told the publication. "It's a turning point for the brand but it's a long process that's not over yet."

For example, the Elantra, which was named the 2012 North American Car of the Year, is one of the products helping to reinvent the brand's image, but the news source reports it may be more expensive than some of its competitors. In fact, the average price paid for an Elantra in 2011 was about $19,711, which is about $1,500 more than what consumers paid for the Toyota Corolla.

New cars typically lose about 10 to 20 percent of their resale value the moment they are driven off the lot. Used vehicles on the other hand do not depreciate as quickly. They also tend to cost less than new versions.

Those looking to get behind the wheel of a used Hyundai Elantra, Sonata or other compact vehicles need look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer offers a wide variety of used vehicles from smaller, fuel-efficient models like the Toyota Corolla or the Honda Civic. All of the models are CARFAX certified, so drivers know they'll be driving away in a dependable set of wheels.

Out of all the indicators of an improved economy, the recent findings from Experian may be the best for people looking to buy a used car. Analysts say that interest rates for new and used vehicles continued their downward slide and are currently at their lowest rates in more than three years.

Along with lower interest rates, which dropped to an average of 4.52 percent, Experian found that in the fourth quarter of 2011, lenders continued to be more likely to approve loans to nonprime, subprime and deep subrpime customers. The report is good news for people who may be driving on a set of wheels nearing the end of its life.

"The improved automotive lending market is good news for consumers in the market to buy a vehicle," said Melinda Zabritski, the director of automotive lending at Experian Automotive. "The confluence of low interest rates, longer loan terms and an increase in loans outside of prime provide a great opportunity for more people to find a vehicle that suits their needs."

Not only are lenders approving more applicants, but consumers are doing their part as well. Loan delinquencies dropped considerably during the final quarter of 2011. The 30-day rate fell 6.57 percent compared to the same period in 2010, and the 60-day rate dropped an impressive 9.51 percent.

One place nobody will have trouble getting a loan is New Jersey State Auto Auction. Thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, New Jersey Auto is able to offer guaranteed credit approval. With a large fleet of reliable used cars at affordable price, you'll be driving away with a new ride into time.

Of all the steps people take before buying a car, financing is among the most important. However, some prospective buyers may be nervous about applying for a car loan if they have a checkered credit history. There are a number of ways that you can clean up your score and improve your chances of not only getting approved for an auto loan but also ensuring a secure financial future.

The best place to start when trying to rebuild your credit score back to an appropriate level is to obtain a report, Money Talks News advises. After all, how are you supposed to address all your shortcomings if you don't know where they are?

Once you have a credit report in hand, the first thing to do is check for any inaccuracies. This can include everything from the correct address to your account balance and status. After everything is straightened out, it's time to take steps to improve your standing.

There are only a few ways to get bad credit marks expunged from your history, the news source reports. One of them is to simply let them expire. Most – like late payments and collections – will be gone after seven years and bankruptcies after 10. However, for people looking to get a loan, waiting may not be feasible. Instead, you should simply consider taking steps to improving your score for the future. Paying down your credit card and using it as lightly as possible are the simplest, most effective methods.

Making car loan payments on time is also a great way to improve your credit score, and that's not too hard to do thanks to guaranteed credit approval at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Regardless of your history, New Jersey Auto's partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation will have you driving away in a used car in no time.

A new Polk study reveals that drivers are continuing to hold on to their vehicles for longer before trading them in. There has been a overall 23 percent increase in the average length of time drivers will wait to purchase their next vehicle. Those who buy new are driving their vehicles an average of just about six years, and used car owners have their vehicles about four years on average before they head back to the dealer. This means that more motorists will need work done on their cars to keep them on the road, which may place a strain on the automotive aftermarket industry.

"As the aftermarket prepares to service this aging vehicle population, this creates concerns about appropriate parts inventory," said Mark Seng, global aftermarket practice leader at Polk.  "As a result of our analysis, we're currently working with customers in the aftermarket to help them prepare for increasing demand throughout the entire supply chain."

More older vehicles on the road will likely lead to an increased demand for repairs and maintenance, as getting some work done on a car tends to be less expensive than replacing a vehicle. However, many drivers have been putting off purchases since the recession began in 2008, and experts believe there could be a surge in car buying this year as those vehicles need to be replaced. The New York Times reports that car sales have already started strong in January.

Whether drivers want to keep their current vehicles or trade them in for another model, they need look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction. NJ Auto offers a wide variety of used makes and models at affordable prices, and they're all CARFAX certified, so consumers know they're getting reliable rides. The Total Car Care center, which is open to the public, can take care of repairs and tuneups for those who are not quite ready for their next car.

People who may have a less-than-ideal credit history but are looking to buy a used car may be in luck. Auto lenders are becoming more likely to assume greater risk as competition continues to rise in the industry, Automotive News reports.

Experts say there are a number of signs that suggest lenders are becoming more likely to approve applications from people with poor credit scores. Perhaps the most significant is that the number of subprime and nonprime auto loans has been on the rise. Experian Automotive found the number of subprime loans – loans given to people with a credit score between 550 and 619 – rose by 13.5 percent compared to last year. The same could be said for nonprime, which experienced a 10.5 percent jump, the publication reports.

Competition is also good news because lenders are becoming more likely to approve long term loans, which results in lower monthly payments. Though longer terms may have been frowned upon in the past, that's changed as drivers look to hold on to their cars longer than ever before.

"We are certainly expanding in very-long-term loans," Melinda Zabritski, the director of automotive credit for Experian, told the news source. "And we're writing longer-term loans for higher-risk customers, since those are the ones who need the longer terms to obtain a monthly payment they can afford."

Even if you're still worried about being approved with all this good news, you may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers guaranteed credit approval to all that apply. Thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, you'll be able to drive away from New Jersey Auto in a used car in no time.

Car buying trends often vary from state to state. For instance, drivers in Florida are probably more likely to purchase convertibles, while those in states with harsh winters might opt for more rugged weather-ready SUVs. A recent Polk report shows that politics can also play a role in the vehicles people choose to drive.

Researchers examined vehicle buying patterns to determine if there was a difference in the buying habits of red and blue states. They found that, on average, people in opposing political states tend to take sides when it comes to cars as well. Pickup trucks made up four of the top 10 vehicles in red states, while only accounting for two spots on the list in blue states. Polk attributes this disparity to the fact that America's heartland is predominantly red. The coastal states, which are largely blue, are a more successful market for smaller cars and foreign brands.

However, there were a few common interests between red and blue state drivers. The two most popular models in all 44 states (the report excludes undecided states and Washington, D.C.) were the Ford F Series and the Chevrolet Silverado pickups. The opposing political sides also had the same top brands, although their order of popularity was different. Beginning with the number one brand, blue state drivers prefer Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chevrolet and Nissan. Motorists from red states prefer American brands first, with the Asian makes taking up the final three slots in the top five.

Regardless of your political affiliation, you can find plenty of affordable makes and models at New Jersey State Auto Auction. All of their vehicles are CARFAX certified, so you know NJ Auto isn't trying to pull the wool over your eyes like some politicians may try to do.

In recent years, many drivers have been leaning toward purchasing used cars due to a struggling economy and high gas prices. In fact, last year, demand for used vehicles was so high some used cars cost more than their new counterparts for a while. Edmunds reports that even now, some used vehicles cost nearly the same as new ones, such as the Mazda MX-5 and the Toyota Tacoma PreRunner.

Those looking to purchase a used car may want to do so sooner than later, as a recent report by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) indicates that the average cost of used cars will increase this year. However, since there is more demand and less supply when it comes to used vehicles, drivers thinking about trading in their current cars may be in luck.

"The slowing rate of depreciation on used vehicles over the course of the year will lead to even stronger trade-in values and enhance the equity that a consumer has in their vehicle," said Jonathan Banks, an executive automotive analyst with the NADA Used Car Guide.

Drivers who want to get behind the wheel of used cars can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices. Not only that, but you may be able to trade in your current car and directly transfer the funds to your next purchase, which will help you save on your auto loan.

If you do need to apply for a car loan, you can do so directly at New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers guaranteed credit approval.

If you're trying to decide which make to choose for your next car, you should take insurance costs into account. Some vehicles are far more expensive to insure month-to-month, which is why it's a good idea to factor the expense into your budget, especially if you're going to be repaying an auto loan each month as well.

A variety of factors can influence the average insurance cost for a vehicle, including repair expenses, rate of crashes for that model, and the insurer's costs when a vehicle is totaled. High-end models tend to come with higher insurance rates because they're more expensive to fix and tend to be involved in more accidents, according to Fox Business.

Insure.com recently published its list of the least and most expensive vehicles to insure from the 2012 model year, and the Audi R8 Spyder Quattro was found to be the priciest car. The Toyota Sienna LE came in as the least expensive overall, and many other minivans made it into the top 20 list of vehicles with the most affordable insurance rates.

"Minivans have always had a strong showing in our 'least expensive' rankings," said Amy Danise, Insure.com's editorial director. "They regularly prove to be safe, economical vehicles."

Pickups, such as the Hyundai Tucson and the Chevy Silverado, also ranked highly on the less expensive side of the report.

Drivers who are looking to get into their next vehicle can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction to find good deals on a variety of makes and models. Whether they're looking for a car with affordable insurance or want to find a used sports car to save money for the insurance payments, NJ Auto is sure to have a number of cars that will suit your needs.