Category Archives: Celebrity Auto News

President Obama Talks to AAA about Rising Gas Prices

Rising gas prices have many Americans scrambling to save money at the pump, whether by purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles, changing their driving habits or cutting back on other expenses. President Obama sat down with a AAA representative to discuss the issue after his speech on energy last week. They touched on the frustration many American drivers are going through trying to adjust to the higher prices while still balancing their household budgets.

The president said the government needs to put its efforts into developing better solutions for the future as well as putting emphasis on finding applicable strategies for people to use now. Obama lauded the use of alternative energy, such as hybrid, natural gas and electric vehicles (EVs), but also expressed his understanding that many are apprehensive about electric vehicles. Lots of drivers have "range anxiety" that they could wind up stranded with a dead battery in the middle of nowhere should they opt for an EV.

"People need to feel confident that when they get into an electric car they're not going to get stuck," Obama said. "To the extent that we start having both more efficient batteries and distribution capacity, people can feel confident that they're never going to get stuck, or at least not any more stuck than they do when they forget to fill up and then call AAA."

Americans are gradually growing more accepting of EVs and other alternatives to gas-powered cars, and automakers are introducing more hybrid and EV options all the time. In fact, Honda recently announced the production of a new plug-in Hybrid Accord.

Drivers looking for a new hybrid, EV or a fuel-efficient model should head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer carries a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, and thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corp, they offer guaranteed credit approval.

Linsanity Spreads to Volvo

The buzz surrounding New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin may have died down a little bit, but the Harvard grad is still as popular as ever off the court. Volvo jumped on the Linsanity bandwagon when it signed Lin to a two-year endorsement deal, Bloomberg reports.

The agreement will have Lin promoting the Swedish automaker in both the U.S. and China, where he is especially popular given his Taiwanese descent. Aside from his cross-cultural appeal, Lin comes from a humble background and does not live the lavish lifestyle that many NBA stars do, something which will likely appeal to Volvo drivers.

"Growing up, I never had the super luxurious cars or watches or whatever it may be," Lin told the news source. "Being able to find a car company that has high quality but is also affordable and relatable was very important to me."

Lin's deal with Volvo should not come as much of a surprise given how quickly his popularity has risen over the last several months. He went from riding the bench on several middling NBA teams to igniting the Knicks season and becoming an overnight sensation. As a result, he landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated on back-to-back weeks, something few athletes can lay claim to.

Whether you're a Knicks fan or couldn't care less about professional basketball, you can't disagree with the quality of cars that Volvo makes. Anybody in the market for a used Volvo may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction and browse through the numerous models it has in stock.

Nissan Attempts to Lure QB Peyton Manning to Tennessee

Ever since the Indianapolis Colts released him several weeks ago, quarterback Peyton Manning has been one of the most sought-after free agents in NFL history. A long list of teams have been competing to lure the four-time MVP to their city, and one team recently got an assist from Nissan. The automaker offered Manning a free Nissan Titan in the hopes he chooses to sign with the team of the same name – the Tennessee Titans.

It's a smart move for Nissan, as it operates two assembly plants in the Volunteer State. The offer stands regardless of whether or not Manning chooses to sign with the Titans, but Nissan hopes that their building him a specially-made model of the popular truck, along with the athlete's strong ties to Tennessee (he played at the University of Tennessee for four years), will bring the Titans back to the Super Bowl for the first time in over a decade.

"While we are in no position to sign you to any particular NFL franchise, we at Nissan North America want to make you a Titan – a 2012 Nissan Titan – as a gesture of gratitude recognizing your great accomplishments and philanthropic contributions to our national community," Nissan North America wrote in a letter.

Though not everyone can land a quality vehicle simply by being an excellent football player, a trip to New Jersey State Auto Auction can match you with a reliable used car. With a wide variety of makes and models, there are plenty of vehicles to fit the needs of any motorist, whether they be a Titans fan or a Broncos fan.

Maybach Modified by Kanye West and Jay-Z Auctioned Off for $60,000

In Kanye West and Jay-Z's "Otis" music video, the duo take a blowtorch to a 2004 Maybach 57 and turn it into a Mad Max monstrosity. The heavily modified car was stripped of the elegance and beauty that make the Maybach such an impressive car and given a homemade overhaul. Bizarre rear-side spoilers sitting high off the tail end of the doorless supercar and a hand-welded sheet metal body kit give the Maybach a batmobile-esque silhouette.

Once the music video was finished, the now-ruined Maybach was put up for auction as a piece of art at the New York Contemporary Art Evening auction, according to Rap-Up.com. The eye-sore wound up fetching a handsome sum of $60,000, which is far less than the auctioneers hoped the modified car would bring in (between $100,000 and $150,000). Motor Authority reports that a portion of the winning bid will be donated to the Save the Children foundation.

You're not likely to see this car on the street any time soon, as the heavy modifications included stripping away the doors and making the once-luxury sedan unfit for the roadways. Even used, a 2004 Maybach 57 that hasn't been destroyed for a music video can still fetch more than $400,000, so don't expect to see any available at a used car dealer.

However, there are still plenty of affordable used luxury vehicles available at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Drivers who are looking to get behind the wheel of a used Mercedes-Benz, a BMW or even a Porsche can head over to NJ Auto and check out their selection of used luxury cars.

Lindsay Lohan Involved in Another Car-Related Mishap

Lindsay Lohan claims she is committed to rehabbing her image after a tumultuous few years, and after a successful hosting gig on Saturday Night Live, it seemed like she may be poised to do so. However, there was a speed bump on her road to recovery recently when the oft-troubled actress allegedly hit the manager of a Hollywood nightclub and then drove off, TMZ reports.

Lohan was driving away from a hookah lounge in her new Porsche early Wednesday morning when police say she lightly struck the manager of the establishment before speeding away. The accident occurred as the Mean Girls actress was trying to make a three-point turn and her car grazed the manager's knee, sources say.

Although law enforcement originally determined that the case was closed because nobody claimed to be injured, that changed several hours later. After the manager was told who Lohan was (he was unfamiliar before the accident) he started complaining of injuries and went to the emergency room, according to TMZ.

This certainly is not the first time that Lohan has had issues behind the wheel of a car. Her troubles date all the way back to 2004 when she was involved in a minor fender bender and the driver of the car eventually filed suit against then-18-year-old star. Then, in 2007 she was arrested for drunk driving after crashing her Mercedes. When police arrived she had left the scene to seek medical treatment, InsWeb.com reports.

While most people don't have the same vehicular hangups that Lohan does, there still may come a time when you need to have your car looked at and repaired. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center is just the place to go. With an experienced staff, they can take care of any repairs or maintenance you might need.

Most Expensive Car in Greenwich Belongs to Tommy Hilfiger

Greenwich, Connecticut, is one of the wealthiest towns in the country, so you know the most expensive car cruising its streets has to be an impressive ride. As it turns out, that honor goes to a pretty famous name – Tommy Hilfiger. The fashion mogul's 2003 Ferrari Enzo is worth about $633,360, Forbes reports.

Despite the astronomic price tag, that's only about 70 percent of how much the car goes for on the market. It's also not the only pricey ride that Hilfiger is driving around in. He also owns a Bentley Continental, though it is worth considerably less than his Enzo – only around $126,000.

According to the publication, Hilfiger is not the only big name in the fashion world with an affinity for luxury cars. In fact, Ralph Lauren, who is considered Hilfiger's biggest rival on the runway, also rivals his impressive fleet. Most famously, he is the proud owner of a 1938 Bugatti Atlantic, which won the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2003.

Vanity Fair chronicled Ralph Lauren's collection of classic cars not too long ago, and it's certainly a sight to behold. In particular, he has a garage dedicated specifically to his collection of Ferraris, which is highlighted by a 1958 Testa Rossa. In the same room he also has Ferraris from the 60s, 70s and 90s. As for new models, he has a 2006 Bugatti Veyron and a 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago Super Veloce.

Though few people can compete with the car collections of Lauren and Hilfiger, that doesn't mean that you should put any less effort into maintaining your vehicles. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center offers a great resource to the public, as it provides everything from general upkeep to repairs.

You Better Beliebe It: Justin Gets a Fisker Karma

Justin Bieber turned 18 on Thursday, and true to how he has acted since he started driving, he celebrated the occasion with a flashy new car. And not just any car, either. Bieber was given the much-coveted hybrid sports sedan, the Fisker Karma, People magazine reports.

The gift was from the teenage crooner's manager and was presented to him during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Despite his impressive cadre of autos, Bieber was shocked to be given such a rare car. Only a few people (Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore) are known to have one, and it is considered one of the most desirable rides in the world. That's not to say Bieber didn't deserve it – if you listen to his manager that is.

"You work really really hard," manager Scooter Braun told him, according to the publication. "I always yell at you, 'Don't get anything flashy!' You know, we're not about that. Be humble, be humble. And I kind of broke my own rule."

While this might be the crown of Bieber's burgeoning car collection, that's not to say he doesn't have some other impressive rides. In the fall, the "Baby" singer picked up an impressive Cadillac CTS that he had customized to resemble the Batmobile, according to Forbes.

Though you may not have the car collection of Bieber, that doesn't mean that taking care of your vehicles is any less important. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center  offers drivers an easy way to stay on top of their maintenance. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, the Car Care center is the perfect place to go for everything from repairs to general upkeep.

Monkeemobile: A Tribute to Davy Jones

Former Monkee Davy Jones passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Wednesday. Although the tragedy will likely cause people to reminisce to tunes like "Daydream Believer" and "I Wanna Be Free," others may choose to reflect on his ride of choice when he was in the band – the Monkeemobile.

The car, made famous thanks to the band's 1960s television show, was actually a modified Pontiac GTO. It was created by legendary designer Dean Jeffries and built by George Barris, who is responsible for another icon of yesteryear – the Batmobile, USA Today reports. Though he only met Jones and the other band members several times, Barris has fond memories of both them and the car he helped create.

"He was kind of like the spark of the group," Barris told the publication of Davy Jones. "He had a character, had a certain personality. He seemed to be more dramatic and more fun."

Though the show went off the air in 1968, the legend of the Monkeemobile lived on. There were two models that were used on the show, one went to Barris and the other actually had quite a journey. After it fell out of view, it eventually resurfaced in Puerto Rico before moving back to New York State.

Of course, not everybody can have a customized GTO in their garage, but that does not mean its upkeep is any less important. Regular maintenance is a crucial part of used car ownership and New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center is the place to go to ensure your vehicle runs smoothly. Open to the public, the center provides drivers with experienced mechanics that offer everything from repair to regular tune ups.

Car From “Otis” Video Up For Auction

Though Kanye West and Jay-Z made headlines last summer for their hit album Watch the Throne, several months later the star of one of their videos is getting most of the attention. The $350,000 Maybach that was featured prominently in the video for "Otis" is set to go up for auction, and experts say it may fetch a pretty hefty sum, according to Autoblog.

Aside from playing a significant role in the video, the car has a number of other features that make it especially appealing to collectors. Most notably, it is gutted almost down to the frame, something that both Kanye and Jay-Z take care of in the minutes of the video. Even with all the trappings removed, the car's pop culture significance could still bring in around $100,000 when it goes up for sale, the website reports.

The person who ends up taking home the Maybach will be doing much more than just adding a one-of-a-kind luxury car and piece of music history to their collection – they will also be doing a good deed for charity. The proceeds of the sale will be going to help Save the Children, an organization dedicated to helping kids around the world.

Kanye and Jay-Z are not the only ones using an auction to get rid of a used car. New York governor Andrew Cuomo is doing the same. He is taking a surplus of 500 state vehicles and putting them up for auction online, according to the New York Daily News.

Although not everyone can get behind the wheel of a famous car, New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of used vehicles that will make you feel like a million bucks. With a wide variety of makes and models, there is something for everyone.

Cars of Movie History

The Academy Awards honored some of the best actors in the business on Sunday night, and although the spotlight was on the human players, General Motors did not pass up the opportunity to tout its impact on cinematic history. The venerable auto manufacturer has long had an impact on movies, and this year was no different.

The most well-known current movies to feature GM products are the Transformers franchise. These three films have prominently included classic American-made cars – most notably a yellow Chevrolet Camaro. The most recent movie, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, was even up for three Academy Awards including Best Visual Effects.

In previous years, classic movies such as American Graffiti, Batman and even Smokey and the Bandit all had GM cars prominently included in the plot. It's no surprise that vehicles had such a significant role in cinematic history, according to  Elliot Wilhelm, the film curator for the Detroit Institute of Arts.

"Cars have a lot in common with movies, and there is an often an emotional connection between the audience and the featured car," he said. "You often hear audible groans or see cringes form the audience when a beautiful car is destroyed in a movie."

While you may not be able to get behind the wheel of the Batmobile or a Camaro that transforms into an alien-fighting robot, New Jersey State Auto Auction can still offer you a variety of used cars that are out of this world. With plenty of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone. Additionally, thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, getting a loan is easier than ever before.