Do you dream of owning a car but fear that it's just not possible? Do you worry you'll either spend a fortune or end up with a lemon, clunker or jalopy? Dipping your toe into the tumultuous waters of car shopping can be overwhelming. Fortunately, with the right knowledge and a little foresight, you'll find that taking the plunge into the world of car ownership is easier than you thought.

The important thing to keep in mind when trying to find used cars is that not all cars are created equal. Certain makes and models are known for being both cost-effective and reliable. Honda is a name you'll  hear frequently in reliability discussions, as USA Today reported the 2011 Fit, CR-V and Element models all making the cut as some of the most reliable three-year-old cars according to J.D. Power. Toyota's industry-famous reliability also makes for a good choice; its 2004–2007 model Prius was reported by Consumer Reports to be one of the best small cars under $10,000. Its fuel efficiency (44 mpg) also makes it a compelling money-saving choice. 

Once you've chosen the right car, basic preventative maintenance can go a long way in extending the life of your car. Edmunds outlined how basic procedures from oil changes to tire rotation can keep your car on the road for longer.  

You'll also find yourself saving money when it comes to insurance. Insure.com's list of cheapest cars to insure includes many of the same models across multiple years. Safety and reliability go a long way in saving you cash in the insurance market, and knowing which vehicles are better for your wallet can make a big difference in the bottom line.

Choosing a reliable used car from New Jersey State Auto Auction can make your dreams of car ownership possible. The lot has hundreds of Carfax-certified vehicles and an in-house financing department to help make sure you can afford the car, truck or van that's right for you.

Allergy season is quickly approaching, and that leaves individuals in many parts of the country susceptible to sneezing, itchy eyes and other symptoms. It is tough for many of these people to find relief, especially when they have to go outside and continue with their daily lives. Even cars can be a source of irritation if drivers aren't meticulous in the upkeep of their vehicles. 

The Car Care Council recently noted that those drivers who suffer from allergies may be putting themselves at risk when they get into their cars. A vehicle's air filter is designed to clean the incoming air before it gets to the cabin, which keeps dirt, debris and allergens from getting inside. However, when the filter clogged or dirty, it can lead to problems for passengers with allergies. 

"A dirty or clogged cabin air filter can cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car than when walking down the street," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "With allergy season quickly approaching, replacing the cabin air filter is a simple way for you and your passengers to breathe easier while driving."

The only surefire solution is to clean and replace the air filter regularly. While you should refer to the owner's manual to see the exact lifespan of the gear, a general rule of thumb is to replace them between 12,000 and 15,000 miles, the Car Care Council suggested. 

There may be times when a professional is needed to inspect and repair your car, including when you are replacing the air filter. If this situation arises, be sure to schedule an appointment at the Total Car Care Center at New Jersey State Auto Auction. This facility can address any issues you may have regarding your vehicle. 

Most drivers have their own distinctive habits that they fall back on when driving. Whether you grab your sunglasses, hook up an MP3 player or start adjusting your seat, these practices may seem normal, but can actually be dangerous. 

According to a new survey form DMEautomotive, the No. 1 activity done by drivers is singing out loud. That may not be surprising to motorists who love rocking out when behind the wheel, but some other, more dangerous practices are also relatively common. Drivers frequently send out texts, talk on the phone and eat snacks, the survey found. In fact, about 9 in 10 young drivers admit to taking part in one of these behaviors. 

These habits may cause drivers to become distracted, leading to an increased possibility of accidents and collisions. March is National Collision Month, and spending some of these days re-evaluating your own actions may allow you to increase your personal safety. 

"During National Collision Month, we hope this data will help raise awareness about the ongoing problem of distracted driving, which has been made more complex given the proliferation of phones, tablets and various 'pods' people now regularly use – and especially among young people, who are the worst offenders," said Dr. Mary Sheridan, manager of research and analytics at DMEautomotive. 

Drivers will do anything in their power to avoid a collision, but one of the most effective ways of staying safe in a vehicle is investing in the right preventative maintenance. Even used cars with the top safety features need to be cared for to ensure everything is operating effectively, and scheduling regular maintenance appointments at the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto is the first step toward checking this off your to-do list. 

When you take a look at the other cars on the road with you, it may seem like you're seeing many older models. Your eyes aren't deceiving you – more and more drivers are sticking with their cars for an extended period of time. 

According to AutoMD.com's 2014 Vehicle Mileage Survey, about 35 percent of drivers plan to keep their vehicles until they are no longer fit to serve on the road. Additionally, more than half of motorists say they will drive their cars for more than 100,000 miles, and they aren't afraid of investing in a car that already has several years under its belt.  

"We have been tracking the lengthening ownership cycle since 2010 and what was at first a reaction to a bad economy has now become a reality – with the majority holding onto cars up to and past the 100k mark," said Brian Hafer, the vice president of marketing for AutoMD.com. "The number of consumers saying that over 10 years is the appropriate time to own a car has not shifted, even as the economy has improved." 

With more people looking for ways to make the most of their investment in used or older vehicles, many drivers will be looking for quality cars that can meet the demands of the road. They also must ensure their cars are getting the preventative maintenance needed to continue running smoothly. 

Extending an automobile's long life span is possible, but drivers have to be committed to caring for their vehicles. To get a jump start on proper maintenance, consider scheduling an appointment at NJ State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center. The garage caters to the public and is capable of addressing any issues you may have. 

Many drivers were able to reap the benefits of lower gas prices in the winter. The season's multitude of storms and freezing temperatures kept demand low, which in turn led to relatively cheaper prices. However, now that warmer weather is finally on the horizon, the cost of fuel is expected to rise. 

"Buying gas in the spring can be a frustrating challenge because prices seem to be higher every time you get in the car," said Avery Ash, a spokesman for AAA. "Yet even as prices inevitably rise, there is a good chance that most people should pay less than recent years to buy gas." 

Much of the increase in price is because refineries are conducting maintenance for the spring, which limits production. However, because costs have been falling in recent months, the baseline remains lower than in past years. While prices in February grew by about 17 cents throughout the month, the national average is still $3.45 per gallon.

In March and April, the cost is expected to grow to anywhere from $3.55 to $3.75 per gallon. This would continue the tradition of gas prices rising in the spring. In 2012, for instance, the national average increased by 56 cents per gallon over a 70-day time span, and while it may not reach those heights again, drivers should expect to pay more than they did in the winter. 

Although gas prices may be outside of your control, you can make some changes to your car that will improve its fuel efficiency. At New Jersey State Auto Auction, for example, the Total Car Care Center can perform an auto tune-up that will have your vehicle performing at maximum efficiency. Whether you need to have the engine checked or the air filter replaced, the garage is capable of handling these issues and getting you back on the road in a timely manner. 

If you've headed out on the highway recently, there's a good chance that you've noticed there has been a heavy amount of traffic. Your eyes aren't deceiving you: There really is more congestion than in years past, at least as stated in the latest report from the INRIX, a provider of traffic information. 

According to INRIX, which recently released its Annual Traffic Scorecard Report, traffic congestion throughout 2013 increased, even after the previous two years saw a decline. Traffic congestion grew 6 percent in 2013 as the U.S. GDP increased 1.9 percent, signifying that economic growth is bringing more people to the roads as they head into work. 

If the economy continues to grow, more traffic could be coming to the roads. That has the potential to be bad news for commuters. Although much of the heaviest traffic could be situated in major hubs like Sao Paolo, Brazil, and Beijing, China, it will also extend to local areas such as New York City, Newark and Philadelphia. 

"If we do nothing we could end up with global gridlock," said Stephen Odell, Ford Motor Company president of EMEA. "The problem will be particularly serious in cities. We must all work together." 

Anyone who anticipates being a part of heavy traffic should be sure their cars are able to handle the stress. A large part of this can be taken care of by scheduling an auto tune up at a garage, such as the Total Car Care Center at NJ State Auto Auction. That facility caters to the public and can address any issue you may have, and the standard preventative maintenance offered may be enough to ensure your car is prepared for any type of traffic.