Used cars in New York that offer hybrid technology may be one segment that buyers could consider, as a new market forecast find that the global hybrid market will increase by 20 percent over the next three years.

Research and Markets developed the forecast based on consumer focus on the cost effective and fuel efficient models first popularized by Honda and Toyota, as well as investments by companies who have seen demand for hybrids grow in 2008 even as the overall market declined.

While the trend will move towards hybrid cars in the future, consumers can find cars like the used Honda Civic Hybrid in New York that could offer better fuel mileage than similar conventional models without waiting for new car development programs.

Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder wrote that the 2006 model has a “higher-quality, quieter interior,” along with a more efficient electric generator that helps the car travel 50 miles per gallon whether motorists drive the used Civic Hybrid in New York City streets or on highways.

While a large scale trial in Europe may help enable cars to talk to each other to avoid crashes using wireless technology, those looking for a used car in New Jersey may be better served by choosing safer vehicles already available.

Cohda Wireless is hopeful that its technology, which uses GPS to communicate different cars’ location to each other, will prove helpful in trials expected to involve hundreds, if not thousands of vehicles on European roads, according to a Sunday Times report.

“The first trial systems will only give a warning,” Cohda chief technical officer Paul Alexander told the news provider. “But the ultimate vision is to pretty much remove driver error by allowing the car to react for you.”

But until those trials come to fruition, one way of staying safe may be picking a car that has good government crash test ratings.

A used Honda Civic coupe may fit the bill, as the 2002 model achieved five-star ratings in every category in which it was tested.

Edmunds.com editors say the car also provides good fuel economy and a good amount of space for passengers.

Find Used Honda cars in New York with New Jersey State Auto

An electric company is hopeful that it will receive money in from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in order to test the possibility of plug-in hybrids from Ford.

Oncor, based in Texas, says it would be testing up to 67 of the vehicles next year as part of a joint research project with Ford to develop ideas for the infrastructure necessary to support plug-in models.

The company may also incorporate plans to use wind turbines for power generation, and Oncor CEO Bob Shapard said, ” It could be the ‘ah ha!’ moment that changes conventional thinking.”

But, while plug-in hybrid technology may be several years off, buyers who look at used cars like the Honda Insight may be able to have a lower-cost vehicle that still is environmentally friendly.

The Insight was one of the first commercially viable hybrids, and Edmunds.com editors said that the 2005 model was “still the class leader” with good fuel economy and its “high-tech look.”

They also lauded the little coupe for its handling abilities and standard features, but it was produced in limited numbers, so for those who can find them, they may be joining a somewhat select club.

Find Used Honda Cars with New Jersey State Auto

With some added accessories, a Honda model just got a little more attractive to dogs.

The new Honda Element concept car, which was recently previewed at the New York Auto Show, includes various dog-friendly functions for owners who have a penchant for bringing their four-legged friends everywhere they go.

According to the New York Times, the new Dog Friendly vehicle included a mesh “dog containment system” in the cargo area, a collapsible entry ramp, a cooling fan, a spillproof water bowl and a rubber mat shaped in a dog-bone pattern.

“In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda, at the event.
The car will reportedly be on the market by the fall.

While the accessories may be new, past models of the Honda Elements have been a pet-friendly car, especially with its rubber floor mats that allows for owners to use a hose to wash away any unwanted pet hair in the car.

According to Bark Buckle UP, an organization devoted to pet travel safety, canine car-ridership has increased 300 percent since 2005.

With tax day right around the corner, many Americans could be seeing some tax refunds in their mailboxes soon which could go toward the purchase of a used vehicle. For people looking to be frugal and environmentally conscious – while still having a fun ride – there are some options.

According to Jim Motavalli, a contributor to the New York Times and blogger for Mother Nature Network, there are a number of used cars people should consider if they’re looking to save money and the environment.

Motavalli’s first choice is the 2007-2008 Honda Fit, which he admits he owns himself.

“[T]he Fit combines great performance from its 1.5-liter engine, very crisp handling, and incredibly versatile cargo capacity. The rear seats fold flat, and the car’s tall stance affords both great visibility and sofa-swallowing load potential,” writes Motavalli. “My dealer sent a letter recently begging me to trade in our car, because ’07 used examples are in short supply.”

The Kelley Blue Book website says a 2007 Honda Fit with 30,000 miles and in excellent condition will run around $14,585.

For that price a buyer is likely to get some pretty good gas mileage as the site says the car gets an estimated 31 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

Find Used Honda cars in New York Tri-State Area with New Jersey State Auto.

When looking to purchase a used car a buyer usually has some idea of what he or she is looking for. But according to Consumer Reports, some car brands are just better than others.

On the low end of the scale, according to the news provider, are Chrysler and Suzuki, which tied for last place in the magazine’s ranking which tested comfort, fuel economy, performance and reliability.

Chrysler saw its scores drop in this year’s survey, and the magazine had few good things to say about the automaker.

“Most models from [Chrysler] have noisy, inefficient, unrefined powertrains; subpar interiors; and poor visibility,” writes Consumer Reports. “Chrysler is the only automaker with no models on our Recommended list.”

At the top of the list continues to be Japanese automakers, with Honda, Toyota and Mazda all in the top four of the magazine’s list.

It says that Honda, and its luxury brand Acura, continue to make some of the best cars on the market and says the reliability of the cars are better than any other automaker.

The findings of Consumer Reports seems to turn into popularity for Honda as a recent report from Cars.com finds that the Honda Civic and Honda Accord are two of the most popular cars on its site.

Find Used Honda cars in New York Tri-State Area with New Jersey State Auto.

Statistics show that more people are shunning new cars and making purchases of used cars in this tough economy. But according to Consumer Reports, some used cars are better than others.

Looking at cars between 1999 and 2008, the magazine identified the most and least reliable vehicles among the 1.4 million that were compiled by its Annual Auto Survey.

The company says that Honda and Toyota dominated the list with the Honda Civic and Toyota Echo topping the small car list and the Honda Accord and Toyota Prius leading the pack of best used family cars.

It also found some cars that can be purchased at relatively low prices, including the 1999 Acura CL and 2003 Buick Century which can often be found for under $6,000.

The state of the economy has made it a good time to make a used car purchase. According to the National Automotive Dealers Association, used car prices fell in every category in the last year and Dow Jones recently reported that prices for used cars fell 8 percent in 2008.

Find New York Used Cars with New Jersey State Auto

As Americans take measures to cut costs and save as much money as they can, more and more people are turning to used cars as a way to make a purchase without breaking the bank. But it appears that a lot of people are looking for the same used cars.

According to the last study done by Cars.com which looks at used car searches during the third quarter of 2008, a couple of Hondas topped the list.

The Honda Accord and Honda Civic took the top spots on the list, which was established after the company looked at email requests to dealers and private sellers for used vehicles. The two Honda models swapped places from the previous quarter when Civics were number one.

In terms of years, the 2005 models of both the Accord and the Civic were most popular.

With the exception of the Ford Mustang (which came in third), the Ford F-150 (which came in sixth) and the Jeep Wrangler (which came in seventh) the remaining cars on the list are fairly fuel-efficient cars from foreign automakers.

People searching for these cars should be able to get a good deal as Dow Jones recently reported that used car prices fell 8 percent in 2008.

Find Used Honda cars in New York Tri-State Area with New Jersey State Auto.