For those looking for used cars in New York who already use the internet to do research on car features or loan information, a new resource may allow further peace of mind.

Carfax is a website that allows consumers to find out about the repair history of most used cars in New York and other states, but a new partnership may allow potential buyers to find out even more information about cars in which they’re interested.

The company has announced that it is teaming up with the National Vehicle Certification Program Group, which provides independent inspections on everything from fluid levels to notes about the interior and exterior, as well as analysis of engine bay fluid levels.

“In times like these, many people are turning to pre-owned as a more economical choice,” said Rob
Gaither, NVCP president. “They want to know about the quality and condition of a used car before they make a financial decision.”

Interested consumers can click through from the Carfax website to see the inspection results and photos of used cars in New York and other states they may want to buy.

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One way to combine summer and the fruits of looking for a used car in New Jersey is by making a road trip with a potential new purchase, but it may also get you prizes.

If you can describe it better than other competitors in 300 words or less on the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials website, you’ll be entered into monthly drawings for prizes to be determined.

“It might be a cross-country adventure to the Grand Canyon or a trip to the ocean for the very first time,” says John Horsely, AASHTO executive director. “And no matter what or where you traveled, we want to share your stories in the hopes that they’ll inspire others to discover America.”

The website may also be a good resource for those considering a used car in New Jersey but stumped for travel ideas, as they can check out others’ stories for ideas about future trips that may be possible.

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The results are in, and those looking for used cars in New Jersey and other states say that the number one feature they want is… “something that gets me from point A to B.”

That’s what Ipsos Public Affairs found when they polled 1,000 Americans online to find out what they valued in cars and how they would describe its role in their lives.

“In today’s challenging economic environment, consumers are focused on making smart buying decisions,” said Tom Folliard, president and CEO of CarMax, a website offering research tools for used car buyers that commissioned the survey. “Buying a used car makes sense for shoppers looking for a vehicle that meets their transportation needs, yet remains affordable.”

Price was important for many, as 30 percent of respondents told Ipsos that their vehicle “has to do it all without breaking the bank.”

And that may mean choosing more affordable used cars in New Jersey and other states, as sales have continued to outpace those of new cars in 2009, according to financing company Consumer Portfolio Services.

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Economical trips for those looking at used cars in New York

While those looking at used cars in New York may have the budget for their vehicle, some less expensive vacation ideas may help to provide summer fun on a smaller budget, especially if they pick up a used car with good fuel mileage, like a Toyota Yaris.

First, though, to have a home-based vacation, it helps mentally to act like it’s an overseas trip or at least out of state by having one’s mail held at the post office and letting calls go to the answering machine.

On drizzly days, some movie theaters may offer promotions for free tickets, or at least discounted tickets for children, while tours at factories like Crayola or breweries nearby may also offer some low-cost options.

For those looking at used cars in New York who want to be able to enjoy nature and stretch their funds, many state and local parks are free, or for the more athletically inclined there are minor league baseball teams that offer the chance to watch the stars of the future at a lower cost than at many big league parks.

Doing so in a used Toyota Yaris may also save money since it gets an estimated 29 miles per gallon in city driving, saving drivers up to $775 dollars a year over a comparable car that only gets 20 MPG, according to Greencars.com.

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For those looking to purchase a used car in New Jersey, this summer may be a good time to bring a pet that’s part of the family on the road to the many areas that welcome man’s best friend, as well as cats and other animals.

But just as one wouldn’t leave without their spouse and childrens’ medications and insurance information, veterinarian Dr William H. Craig of PurinaCare says there are steps one can take to ensure that a vacation isn’t hampered by a pet’s malady.

If the four-legged member of the family prefers catnip to dog bones, Craig says that remembering to pack a box and litter may help prevent problems down the road.

Vaccination and medication records are also good to have on hand, since an ill pet may not be able to describe its medical history clearly, and a family may not remember every visit to a veterinarian.

For those looking for used cars in New Jersey who are used to taking pit stops, pets should be allowed the same time to get out, stretch and take care of eating and other needs, Craig says, to ensure a better trip for every member of the family.

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It’s the first big travel weekend for many, but for those looking at used cars in New Jersey, some travel tips from long-distance drivers could help keep away future headaches.

Long-haul drivers put more miles on their bodies and their vehicles than many other drivers, and the American Trucking Association compiled the tips from some of its safest drivers to help passenger car users stay safe.

Memorial Day weekend “means additional cars on the road – making safe driving habits become all the more important,” says Jerry Charron, America’s Road Team captain.

Paying attention is a big one, they say, as looking away for even a moment or two could double the likelihood of an accident.

That same focus could help after people make rest stops for food or other needs, they say, since one in four accidents that are preventable come from people who aren’t watching where they’re going.

They themselves know the limits of trucks, so drivers who are in traffic with semis should realize that the trucks have blind spots for which they need to account, and are slower to react because they weigh more than used cars and other vehicles on the road.

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Washington State may offer a good example for those looking for used cars in New York who may be frustrated by driving habits there.

Neighboring cities Seattle and Tacoma recently competed to see who had the “nicest” drivers, based on whether or not drivers speed, tailgate or use their cell phones while driving.

The effort began a year ago when a local driving school started the contest to promote safer driving habits, and now it’s a statewide effort with insurance companies and the state Highway Patrol all signing on to support the effort

“Our goal is to challenge drivers to take a close look at their own driving behaviors and inspire them to do better,” said Fred Wright, SWERVE Driver Training CEO. “Even good drivers can be great.”

Poor driving habits have lowered the two cities to the bottom one-eighth of safe cities in the country as ranked by Allstate, but this year’s winner will get a $10,000 grant.

In trying to modify how drivers behave, others in Washington are trying to dispel common beliefs, such as those associated with senior drivers.

What those looking for used cars in New York may not realize, according to a survey done by PEMCO Insurance, is that older drivers tend to have a better understanding of some traffic law than younger roadgoers.

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Researchers at the Office of Law Enforcment Standards at the National Institute of Standards and Technology may have a new discovery that could leave lead-foots looking at used cars in New York with some concern.

They managed to make radar guns more accurate, by determining the uncertainty that different calibration method such as tuning forks, calibrated speedometers often mean for radar users trying to get accurate results.

Then researchers John Jendzurski and Nicholas Paulter developed formulas for officers to use when they reset their radar devices so they can be even more effective.

For those looking at used cars in New York, this might actually bring some safety to the roads, according to a study released by Purdue University civil engineers.

While they found that people have less respect for speed limits, lead author Fred Mannering says that “the faster you think you can go before getting a ticket, the more likely you are to think safety’s not compromised at higher speeds,” meaning that if people think they can get caught with the new radar, they may slow down.

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For those looking to buy used cars in New York, there may be few things as annoying as being stuck in a traffic jam on a long trip.

It also can hamper fuel mileage, leading to higher operating costs as cars entering stop-and-go traffic experience conditions more like city driving which is fuel efficient.

One company is giving drivers the ability to check out the same cameras operated by state Departments of Transportation before they head out on the road, so that they can check for potential snarls and plan alternate routes as needed.

TrafficLand announced that it has now added traffic cameras from Florida, giving it coverage of wide swaths of Route 95 from Connecticut to the Sunshine State, and another option for trip planning other than scanning the AM dials for traffic news while driving.

“Our DOT partners recognize the importance of reliable access to real-time traffic video through a scalable, redundant network that can handle the demand spikes typically seen during extreme weather and other emergency events,” said TrafficLand CEO Lawrence Nelson.

Those looking for used cars in New York may be able to use the online interactive maps to find better routes that take advantage of the fuel efficiency of their purchases.

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Those looking for used cars in New York may not realize it, but security is an important part of a potential buyer’s investment in the vehicle.

Just ask the father in Florida who had to press charges against his 12-year-old daughter who allegedly took his car for a joyride while the father was visiting another daughter, 19-months-old, in the hospital according to a Sun-Sentinel report.

According to police, the young girl allegedly took her father’s car out onto a highway, avoiding several police cruisers before the car allegedly collided with one, and she fled on foot, reported the news provider.

Those looking into protecting a used car in New York may also be interested to find that common technology aids repossession professionals, who can quickly get into many vehicles, according to the Cape Cod Times.

Brad Kam, who does repossessions in Massachusetts, told the news provider that those looking to be more secure may want to wrap their key fobs in aluminum foil when they’re not in use, to prevent people from hacking the system, and to not leave shopping bags unattended where thieves can access the information wirelessly.

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