Toyota is planning some upgrades to its Prius and RAV4's for the next year, but consumers should be ready to pony up a little more money if they want to go new. According to USA Today, the newly-design Prius could cost consumers about $1,000 more compared to last year, which could have them rushing to New Jersey State Auto Auction to get a better deal on a used vehicle.

The popular, fuel-efficient car will welcome a few changes for 2012. First and foremost, it will feature a new name, the Prius Liftback, to differentiate it between the Prius v, a bigger version that will resemble a station wagon. The price hikes will be a little different depending on which car you're looking to buy. For instance, the so-called Prius Three will cost about $25,565, up about 4.3 percent from last year.The new Prius Liftback is expected to go on sale in January.

Although it is not going to see quite as steep a price hike, Toyota's RAV4 will also cost consumers a little bit more if they want to go new in 2012. The car goes on sale tomorrow and will see about a 0.4 percent increase in price.

If you're looking to get behind the wheel of a different car in the near future but don't want to spend too much money, used cars may be the better option. This is especially true toward the end of the year, as many analysts are urging consumers to take advantage of decreasing used car prices.

New Jersey State Auto Auction is an excellent choice for consumers looking for reliable used cars. The dealer offers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices.

For years, the Toyota Camry has not only been among the most popular cars on the road but also one of the safest. The recent release of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2012 model-year ratings indicate that not much has changed. The Camry is one of three models that still managed to earn a five-star rating despite the organization's stricter guidelines, USA Today reports.

Along with the Camry, the 2012 Cadillac CTS and Chevrolet Camaro also earned an overall five-star rating. However, it was the Camaro that came away with the highest honor, being the only car that managed to get a five-star rating in every single category.

The findings are good news for Camry, which recently underwent a redesign to improve its safety features. As a result, it scored exceptionally well on the administration's side-crash test while also managing to get four-star ratings on the frontal and roll-over tests, the publication reports.

What's especially impressive about the scores of the Camry, Camaro and CTS is that the NHTSA recently revamped its criteria to make it more stringent, Cars.com reports. Among the changes that were made was a new side pole test that simulates a car or truck crashing into a pole or tree. The NHTSA also implemented new dummies to test for a wider variety of passenger sizes.

Along with making the right decisions when it comes to purchasing a small car, regular auto maintenance can also go a long way to helping improve its safety. New Jersey State Auto Auction makes this easy for drivers thanks to its Total Car Car Center which provides both repairs and tune-ups to the public.  

For many car owners, making sure that their vehicle retains its value is of the utmost importance. Not only will it likely run better, but when it comes time to trade in your car you can get a much better price for it. Regardless of how well vehicles are maintained, some makes and models simply hold their value better than others. Kelley Blue Book's website kbb.com recently revealed its list of cars that are expected to have the best resale value for 2012.

Toyota has earned considerable praise for being among the most reliable cars on the road and its cars also retain their value exceptionally well. Toyota earned the website's Best Brand award because its vehicles keep about 40.5 percent of their original value five years after rolling off the lot, marking the second time in three years that Toyota has come away with the distinction.

According to the website, one of the company's best models is the FJ Cruiser, which gained eight points compared to last year and keeps about 50 percent of its value after five years. The Camry also improved its rating, moving up to 36.8 percent and the Tacoma moved up to 49 percent.

Although Toyota bested all the other brands, it was a different manufacturer that had the best car overall. The Jeep Wrangler came out on top with a 55 percent retention rate, and Jeep as a brand was slightly behind Toyota at 40.4 percent. Scion, Honda and Lexus rounded out the top five.

In addition to buying the right car, part of making sure it has a high resale value is keeping up on maintenance. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care Center is open to the public, which makes it easy to ensure your car is running smoothly and can be traded in for a good price when the time comes.  

The Toyota Prius has long been regarded as one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the road, but for some consumers its relatively high price tag has made it inaccessible. However, the next incarnation of the mode, the Prius c will not only offer drivers with an impressive 50 miles per gallon around the city but is also expected to be much more affordable.

The Prius c is going to make its United States debut in January when it comes to the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In addition to its exceptionally high fuel economy, the new model will also feature a smaller, more youthful body and sportier appearance. Also slated to make its debut next spring is the plug-in version of the Prius.

It may be nearly impossible for the average driver to get 50 miles per gallon, but there are certainly common practices that can help them come close. According to Popular Mechanics, one of the most often-overlooked ways to save on gas is to only use the break when you have to. For example, rather than speeding up and breaking during stop and go traffic, slowly accelerating and coasting may be a better bet.

Along with how you drive your car, you can try to approach Prius-level gas mileage by making sure your tires are properly inflated. The publication reports that under-inflated tires can cost you miles, and checking the pressure each time you get gas can be a good habit to get into.

Regular maintenance can ensure that your car is running smoothly and identify any problems that could have a negative impact on fuel-efficiency. New Jersey State Auto Auction provides consumers with its total care center that offers both repairs and regular inspections. 

As the country still tries to pull its way out of the recession, many drivers have taken to getting their car repaired rather than purchasing a new ride. While the practice may save drivers money, there are certain cars that will save them more than others, and a recent report from CarMD pointed out exactly which models offer the most affordable repairs, according to CBS MoneyWatch.

At the top of the list was Toyota. The study, which was conducted by surveying 3,000 mechanics in the United States, took a number of different things into consideration including frequency of repairs as well as how expensive the repairs actually are. The 2009 Toyota Corrolla proved to be the best in both categories with an average cost of just $45.84.

In second place behind Toyota was Hyundai, which has enjoyed a significant sales boom in the United States over the last year. The good placing bodes well for the company's 10-year 100,000-mile warranty, and the 2011 Hyundai Sonata was the sixth-best model, according to the website.

As for American-made brands, Ford placed fourth behind Honda thanks to a strong performance from its crossover SUV, the Edge, and was followed by General Motors. Chrysler was behind by a little bit, coming in at 10th place.

The report may be helpful to consumers who want to keep their cars on the road as long as possible. Rebecca Lindland, the director of strategic review at IHS Automotive, recently spoke with Bloomberg Radio on the topic and revealed that the average car on the road is 10.7 years old.

Motorists looking to keep their car working smoothly can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction's total car care center, which can help you out with any auto repair need.

It may not be as flashy as some of its counterparts, but the Toyota Corolla certainly has staying power. Since 1966 it has been the best selling car in the world, with more than 32 million units sold, besting its closest competitor, the Ford F-series pick-up truck, by 2 million, Yahoo! Autos reports.

The Corolla likely owes its success to both its simplicity and affordability. The highest-end models come in at well under $20,000 and are also equipped with fuel-efficient engines that offer around 34 miles per gallon on the highway. Additionally, it has the distinction of being especially safe.

"It might seem like a basic car, but it packs a lot of features that you don’t really notice but certainly appreciate," Toyota salesperson Luis Duran told the website. "It's not going to be a vehicle with a lot of bells and whistles, but it’s certainly packed with safety features."

Toyota is expected to unveil a redesigned look for the Corolla for 2013 to help keep up with the competitive compact car market, including popular cars like the Honda Civic.

Toyota's sales in the United States were severely hurt in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Japan in May, but its officials say the company is back on track to reverse the tide by October.

The boost in sales comes from the fact that Toyota unveiled its eagerly-awaited, redesigned Camry, Bloomberg reports. Additionally, orders for Toyotas are back to normal and the company's vehicle inventory is on the rise.

In the wake of the earthquake, Toyota shut down all production, including North American. However, it since restored full operation in North America and analysts believe there will be a stark change in the fourth quarter of this year compared to the rest of 2011.

"The fourth quarter is definitely going to be the best quarter for them so far this year," analyst Jesse Toprak told the website. "They will have the supply problem mostly solved and some new products."

Early reviews of the 2012 Camry paint it as one of the best mid-sized sedans available. Drivers looking to take advantage of the reliable manufacturer may want to consider looking at New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of models at affordable prices.

With plenty of versatility and style, its no wonder that the midsize sedan is the most popular type of car in the United States. While there are plenty of options available to consumers, the cluttered market can make finding the right model a little bit difficult, and Cars.com recently published its list of the most affordable midsize sedans.

The 2012 Toyota Camry is the website's top pick for the best option, which is not shocking considering it has long been a favorite among critics and consumers alike. There are several reasons why it topped the list, but the number of features it offers for a modest $21,995 price tag are what set it apart.

Among the most attractive advantages of the redesigned Camry are Bluetooth and USB ports, and for a slight upgrade in price drivers can get remote keyless entry as well as wheel-mounted controls and automatic headlights. The car also comes with two years of free maintenance and an impressive fuel economy of 35 miles per gallon.

Motorists looking to get behind the wheel of a used Toyota may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of models at affordable prices.

U.S. News and World Report recently unveiled its list of top cars for families, and Toyota and Honda lead the way. Whether families are looking for a compact sedan or a luxurious SUV to take kids to and from school, the popular Japanese manufacturers seem to have them covered.

The publication offered rankings in 20 different categories including Best Wagon, Best Hybrid Car and Best Off-Road SUV. Honda took home a number of awards such as Best Minivan, which it captured with its renowned Odyessy. The Honda CR-V also was named Best Affordable Compact SUV.

Not to be outdone, Toyota also shined brightly in the rankings. The Highlander was named Best Hybrid SUV while the Prius earned the honor for hybrid car.

"If you have the right family car, spending time in it is enjoyable for the whole family," the news source reports. "The wrong family car can make time on the road uncomfortable, frustrating and expensive."

Families looking to get into a Toyota or Honda may want to check out New Jersey Auto Auction, which offers plenty of makes and models at affordable prices.