Category Archives: Hyundai

What Are The Best Used Cars To Buy?

Drivers have so many options to choose from when they're shopping for cars. Whether they're mulling different automakers, models, colors or engine types, motorists certainly have their work cut out for them. But for some, the search is narrowed simply by sticking with used cars. These budget-friendly options generally offer safe, reliable rides for a wide variety of drivers, all the while providing access to affordable monthly payments and auto loans. 

Why buy used cars?
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why used cars are so attractive to drivers. Not only are the sticker prices of these vehicles lower than their brand new counterparts, but there are many opportunities to save on the average depreciation of automobiles. By investing in a lightly used model, drivers can avoid much of the hit to the value of cars that occurs in the first year of ownership without sacrificing quality. To help in this endeavor, iSeeCars.com compiled a list of the best used cars to buy. 

You can find a used car you love - at the right price, of course. You can find a used car you love – at the right price, of course.

"Everybody knows that new cars depreciate the most in the first year and that different cars have different depreciation rates, but we wanted to see which used cars experienced the largest price drops compared to their new models," said Phong Ly, iSeeCars.com CEO.

It's important to note that the ideal investment for drivers will vary. If you're not sure what type of car is the best fit for you, take your search to New Jersey State Auto. There you can browse through a wide selection of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans to find an option you love. 

"Auto industry developments can lead to great deals."

How to find the best options
Auto industry developments can lead to great deals. Overhauls and redesigns drive up the cost of new models and decrease that of recent cars, making these lightly used cars a great value. That's not the only cause, however, so drivers should pay attention to what's going on in the industry to try to locate the best value deals.

"There are numerous reasons for the wide range of differences, but the most prominent factors that increase the price difference between a car's new and lightly used models are lower popularity compared to its competitors, a brand with reported dependability issues or expensive repairs, or having just undergone a redesign," Ly explained.

Motorists can also keep an eye on used car websites to monitor the models at a specific lot. At NJ State Auto, for example, you can sift through used cars under $10,000 – or your specific price point – and try to locate the best vehicles on sale. Then you can move quickly to make sure you don't miss out. 

You can negotiate deals after monitoring the used car market. You can negotiate deals after monitoring the used car market.

Models to watch

"Buying lightly used cars will leave cash in your wallet."

Still, iSeeCars.com identified a few models you may want to pay special attention to, especially if you're concerned about depreciation. At the top of the list is the Hyundai Genesis. These models drop an average of 38.2 percent after the first year of ownership, which equals approximately $16,600 in value. Buying a model that's just 1 year old will present thousands of dollars of savings, and going further back will leave even more cash in your wallet. 

Another model that can give way to massive savings is the Cadillac CTS. The study showed a 36.9 percent depreciation after the first year, and with a luxury brand like Cadillac, that translates to a price difference of about $20,000. Other attractive models include the popular Chevrolet Impala, which has a price drop of 33.5 percent after year one, and the GMC Yukon XL. 

The Best Used Cars For Young Drivers

Young drivers have a lot to learn on the roads. One of the most important lessons involves safety, but this goes beyond defensive driving habits and fast reaction times. Motorists – especially relatively new ones who face a high risk for accidents – must also prioritize getting behind the wheel of used cars with plenty of effective safety features. 

What used cars should have
Consumer Reports recently released a list of the best used cars for teens. The vehicles all sell for less than $10,000 and come equipped with some of the best safety features on the market, making the automobiles smart choices for any family. 

According to the source, some of the most important features include electronic stability control. The main benefit of ESC is that it keeps the car on the road in situations where a rollover may be possible, which is often the most dangerous type of accident. In addition to secure seat belts, ESC is one of the most important amenities a car can have. 

Buyers should also look for vehicle with side and curtain air bags. Updated brakes and a strong frame are also important aspects to consider when shopping around. 

The best cars for young drivers 
So what are the top cars? According to Consumer Reports, Ford is a solid automaker to consider. The 2009 to 2011 Ford Focus, for instance, is a fuel-efficient vehicle loaded with amenities, but it stops short of offering overly distracting features. A Ford Fusion from 2010 to 2012 could also be a smart choice. Consumer Reports noted that this is a straightforward vehicle that is capable of getting the job done without overcomplicating the driving experience. 

Other options include the 2010 to 2011 Kia Soul, the 2006 to 2014 Hyundai Sonata, and the 2004 to 2012 Toyota RAV4. Each of these models provides drivers with the safety and performance features they need to handle the roads while also offering low price points. 

If you're looking for quality used cars at low prices, check out the selection at NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of Carfax-certified used cars, trucks and vans, many of which are equipped with top-notch safety features. Many of the automobiles on sale have a sticker price of under $10,000 as well, giving young drivers and their families many opportunities to save money without giving up quality. 

Hyundai Named The Most Reliable Auto Manufacturer

Finding a dependable vehicle is of the utmost importance for anyone looking to buy a used car. In fact, it is one of the biggest factors for drivers, and it can certainly sway someone from one automobile to another. For the third year in a row, CarMD has created the Manufacturer & Vehicle Reliability Rankings to help motorists zero in on the most dependable models, and the findings may impact the car-shopping process for many buyers. 

When it comes to reliable automakers, Hyundai topped the list. The South Korean brand had the lowest ratio of reported incidents per cars on the road, and it also boasted a relatively low average repair cost of $312.67. Hyundai's first-place finish was an improvement on the past two years, when it came in second place, and its success pushed the reigning champion Toyota into the No. 2 spot. Toyota also had few reported problems on the roads, but its average repair cost was considerably higher – it clocked in at more than $540, which was the highest of the top 10 brands. 

Completing the top five in the list of the most dependable manufacturers was General Motors, Chrysler and Honda. GM featured the lowest average repair cost at $304.99. Despite the success of those brands, the rankings of individual models featured some other vehicles. Although the Toyota Camry was found to be the most reliable edition, Nissan stole the show after it managed to land five automobiles in the top 10. The Altima came in at No. 2, and multiple models of the Rogue and Sentra also landed on the list. 

Drivers searching for reliable models can check out the vast selection at New Jersey State Auto Auction. That lot boasts hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, and many of those options are dependable, high-quality vehicles that will help keep repair costs low. 

Hyundai Earns Distinction As A Best-Value Brand

Drivers shopping around for a used car are typically on the lookout for value. Finding options with great features at a manageable price is of the utmost importance for motorists, especially those who are on a budget. That is why some organizations go above and beyond to look at qualities like price and ownership experience to determine which automobiles offer the best value to drivers. 

Strategic Vision did just that, and it recently released the winners of its Total Value Awards. These accolades were created to honor those vehicles that provide drivers with the most bang for their buck, and for the first time in the 18 years of the study, Hyundai came out on top. The brand was acknowledged as one of the best for its combination of reliability, durability, fuel economy and pricing.  

A few specific models stood out for the Asian brand. Specifically, the Hyundai Equus took the lead among luxury cars, while the Sonata, Genesis Coupe and Elantra also claimed the 'Most Valuable' title for each of their respective segments. Although other brands like Chevrolet and Ford also landed on the list with certain vehicles, none of those automakers had the same impact as Hyundai. 

"Hyundai continues to offer customers the highest-quality products, packed with premium technologies and best-in-class safety features," said Mike O'Brien, a vice president at Hyundai Motor America. "Awards like this from Strategic Vision reflect our hard work and commitment to customer satisfaction and value." 

Whether you're looking for a used Hyundai or any other vehicle with excellent value, you should head to NJ State Auto Auction. The lot is home to hundreds of CARFAX-certified cars, trucks and vans, all of which combine affordable prices with attractive features. 

Consumer Reports Highlights Drivers’ Favorite Brands

Every year, Consumer Reports looks at drivers’ perception of the various car brands, and then ranks them from best to worst. The most recent report looks at data collected over the past year concerning consumers’ opinions on seven categories for each brand – quality, safety, value, performance, technology/innovation, environmentally-friendly/green and design/style. Toyota, Ford and Honda were ranked the highest in terms of customer satisfaction. Toyota and Honda both saw improvements over last year’s scores, while Ford’s high score remained unchanged. Other brands did not fare as well. Scion, Mitsubishi and Ram were at the bottom of the barrel with the worst overall scores.

“This past year brought stability and increased sales to much of the automotive industry. Yet, the brand awareness scores for some like BMW, Buick and Hyundai have declined,” said Jeff Bartlett, deputy auto editor online for Consumer Reports. “The data shows that is has become harder for companies to compete for share of mind. Consumers are not seeing as much differentiation between brands as they have in the past.”

It is important to note that this ranking is not demonstrative of the actual quality and level of safety of cars. Rather, it reflects how drivers feel about the vehicles they own and have driven. The report can prove to be a useful tool for car shoppers, as it may help them decide between two vehicles, if one brand was ranked well below another.

However, a brand that ranks lower on this list does not necessarily produce low-quality vehicles. A car that was not right for some may still be a perfect fit for you. You can find a wide selection of makes and models at NJ State Auto Auction. No matter which brand you prefer, you can drive off the lot with confidence, as every model is CARFAX certified.

Super Bowl XLVII Commercials Showcase Cars and More

In just a few days, the Baltimore Ravens will go head to head with the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII, and whether you’re rooting for the birds or sporting red and gold, there’s one thing everyone is looking forward to – the commercials. This is prime time for advertisements, as last year about 166.8 million viewers tuned in to the game, which is why ads cost nearly $4 million for just 30 seconds of air time. This cost may be worth it, as a recent Nielsen survey found 91 percent of viewers are just as excited for the commercials as they are for the game, according to USA Today.

Super Bowl commercials run the gamut from soda and beer to department stores and fashion lines, but the major player is almost always the auto industry. This year is no different, as Audi, Toyota, Volkswagen and many other brands are gearing up to air commercials debuting new cars. These ads go above and beyond the traditional car commercials, using unique angles to catch viewers’ attention.

Hyundai, for instance, showcases a kid gathering a team of his friends – including one bear-wresting youngster – to take on a neighborhood bully. His mom drives him around to wrangle his friends in a Hyundai Santa Fe. The whole ad strategy includes an interactive social media project called “Find Your 7” that allows fans to assemble their dream team in a seven-passenger virtual Santa Fe.

While most of the ads will showcase new cars, they can still help vehicle shoppers get an idea of what they might want in a used car. After the Super Bowl, drivers can find a variety of makes and models at New Jersey State Auto Auction. Plus, every model on the lot is CARFAX certified, letting all drivers feel like MVPs when they get behind the wheel of their cars.

Hyundai Tops in Customer Loyalty

Hyundai is having quite a run. Just weeks after winning the coveted North American Car of the Year award for the popular Elantra, a J.D. Power and Associates report found that the manufacturer is at the top of the list when it comes to customer loyalty. Hyundai has a 64 percent retention rate beating out stalwarts of the industry including Honda, Ford and Jeep.

The findings are especially impressive given the fact that Hyundai has been criticized over the last decade for manufacturing unreliable cars. However, officials have made a concerted effort to appeal to customers through initiatives like their Assurance Program, which guarantees buy backs for Hyundai vehicles. Not only that, but the reputation of the brand is changing as well.

"Hyundai's increased retention rate is shaped by its expanding model lineup, as well as the fact that perceptions of the brand’s quality and appeal have continued to improve during the past decade," said Raffi Festekjian, the director of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates.

The 64 percent retention rate marks a 4 percent jump compared to 2010 and places Hyundai well above the industry average of 49 percent. Ford and Honda came in second place with 60 percent, and BMW and Kia rounded out the top five with 59 percent each.

The study also found that women and young adults are more likely to buy a different brand with their next purchase. Whether you are looking to get behind the wheel of the same make and model or if you're heading in a completely different direction, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide selection of used cars at affordable prices, there is something for everybody.

Camry experiencing a challenge from Sonata

The Toyota Camry has long been the best-selling car inside the United States, and while that may very well be the case again this year, the popular vehicle has lost substantial ground to the upstart Hyundai Sonata, and according to Bloomberg is looking to separate itself once again.

Coupled with the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan, Toyota has seen sales of the Camry dip 31 percent compared to its best year ever – 2007. Comparatively, the Sonata has experienced a 35 percent jump after a revamp in its design last year.

"Sonata became a very honorable contender in the market,"’ Yoshimi Inaba, Toyota’s North American chairman, told the news source. "We do have good respect for the model, and the sales figures show it’s increasing quite a bit."

Perhaps the biggest reason for the boost in sales has to do with the fact that Hyundai has been making a push to boost fuel economy. The news provider reports that the Sonata gets 35 miles per gallon compared to the Camry's 32.

Hyundai Elantra to get fuel-efficient upgrade for 2012

The Hyundai Elantra has been one of the most popular cars on the road recently, but the company is still making some changes for its upcoming 2012 model. USA Today reports that the manufacturers will include a number of upgrades that will focus on improving the car's fuel economy.

In particular, Hyundai will outfit all the compact sedans with the so-called Active Eco System. This upgrade works by smoothing out throttle response, which can help boost fuel economy by as much as seven percent. The move could be a big one, as the car is already among the most fuel-efficient on the road.

The expected changes for the 2012 model will not just be efficiency-related, however. According to the news source, Hyundai will also add some new safety features such as improved fog lights, a louder horn and a passenger-side sun visor extender.

Drivers interested in the purchasing the Hyundai Elantra may want to hold off until the new version is released. However, if one is looking for a used car they may want to turn to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers used Hyundais at an affordable price.