Car shoppers usually have a lot of things to consider when they're looking for their next purchase. To help consolidate this process, Car.com, USA Today and MotorWeek teamed up for the Sport Sedan Challenge, which evaluated the six most popular vehicles in the segment. After extensive tests dealing with the handling, performance and features of the cars, the BMW 3-Series was found to be the leader of the pack. 

A panel of experts looked at popular sport sedan models that cost under $46,000. Each automobile was then judged based on how it drove in different situations, as well as braking, real-world mileage and more. 

The contest also used input from everyday car shoppers to select a winner. These drivers looked at things like cargo space, test drives, fuel economy and spaciousness to determine if they could see themselves investing in a similar vehicle. Many of these prospective buyers were impressed with the BMW 3-Series, which has been providing quality vehicles as a part of its lineup for 35 years. 

"Shoppers have a lot of great options to choose from in this category, but the 3-Series offers an outstanding combination of performance, fuel efficiency and roominess," said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief of Cars.com, one of the top websites for finding information on used cars. "From the start, we had high hopes for the BMW, and it did not disappoint. As tougher competition emerges in the sport sedan market, the long-lived BMW 3-Series continues to remain a force to be reckoned with in the segment." 

Car shoppers who want to drive something that combines the best of luxury, reliability and value can find used cars like the BMW 3-Series at NJ State Auto Auction. The dealer has a wide selection of makes and models from which drivers can choose from, making it easy to find an affordable and stylish ride that still makes an impact on the road. 

Buying a car is a very personal decision. Sure, cost and practicality can come into play when choosing what vehicle to buy, but ultimately the customer relies on his or her intuition. That’s why car companies put such a focus on developing brand loyalty with their consumers. People who have a good experience with one car may be more likely to purchase another from the brand, so it’s crucial that manufacturers really hone in on customer needs.

Recently, Polk announced the winners of its Automotive Loyalty Awards, which looked at how loyal customers were to specific automakers. The recognition awards have been presented for 17 years, and the Ford F-Series has taken home theprize for the past 15 in the Mid-/Full-size category. Ford also won the Overall Loyalty to Manufacturer and Overall Loyalty to Make awards.

Some of the other big winners included the Chrysler Town & Country, the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and the Honda Civic.

“As manufacturers work to retain customers in this incredibly competitive market, we’re seeing increased activity surrounding customer engagement, which is beginning to resonate with consumers,” said Brad Smith, director of Polk’s Loyalty Management Practice. “Our automotive OEM and agency customers are developing new loyalty programs within their organizations, and as a result we’re seeing increases in repurchase loyalty.”

Consumers can become brand loyal at any time. People in the used car market may want to keep these awards in mind, as some of the winners could make for a great purchase. Luckily, New Jersey Auto Auction offers all kinds of car brands, so potential buyers are sure to find the makerthat they had in mind.

Whether you are taking your driver's test, registering a car or renewing your license, a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can be a dreaded and lengthy experience. The DMV in Tennessee is taking steps to ease the frustration of its patrons. Officials plan to install new kiosks equipped with iPads for those seeking to renew or replace their licenses in certain DMV centers throughout the state – particularly those in more populous urban areas.

"Reducing the wait time at driver service centers is one of our top priorities," said Tennessee DMV commissioner Bill Gibbons. "These self-service iPad stations will cut down on the number of customers waiting for service from a driver license examiner and will help reduce the overall wait time for all customers."

The new setup should allow for drivers to complete their transaction in just a few minutes, including everything from filling out the application for a new license to paying for it and receiving the license itself. Eventually, the agency plans to use iPads for registering road tests as well. Should the new technology be effective, it may be adopted by other motor vehicle agencies in other states, including New Jersey.

If you have to visit the DMV, whether you are stuck there for countless hours or you're lucky enough to be in and out quickly, you may as well ride there in a reliable vehicle. Every car, truck and SUV on the lot at New Jersey State Auto Auction is CARFAX certified. Plus, everyone will be approved for a loan thanks to a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation, so you'll be able to drive off the lot in a great vehicle and head to the DMV to get license plates right away.

Gas prices are climbing steadily, and many drivers may soon look to trade in their current cars for more fuel-efficient models. According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the current national average for a gallon of regular gas is just under $3.70, which is about 10 cents higher than the average at the start of the weekend. Time Magazine reports these prices are likely to continue increasing, but when the cost of fuel rises, the price tags on smaller, economic vehicles may do the same.

Conversely, dealers tend to offer better deals on larger vehicles when this occurs. Drivers thinking about making a switch may want to figure out if the added cost of a smaller vehicle is worth what they could save at the pump. It may be more economical to hang on to their current vehicle or invest in an SUV if they need the space anyway.

"Historically, gas prices have to spike to change consumers' habits," Rebecca Lindland, an IHS automotive analyst, told The Wall Street Journal. "Even then, the change lasts only three to four months before they adapt to the higher prices. If that old SUV is paid for, running well and not costing a lot to maintain, you're going to keep it."

Drivers in the market for fuel-efficient vehicles or larger SUVs and trucks can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, which offers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices. Those looking to improve the fuel economy of their current cars can drive them to Jersey City where the experts at NJ Auto's Total Car Care center can perform routine maintenance, change the oil and address any repairs. A car that runs well will consume less gas and help drivers save at the pump.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) probe into the causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles has found that in many cases, drivers did not apply the brakes before a crash.

A review of event data recorders within the vehicles found that no brakes were applied in 35 of 58 cases. The report also found no evidence of faulty electronics within the vehicles.

The recorders, similar to black boxes used in airplanes, record data from the vehicle in the event of a crash. That information, such as speed, trajectory and which systems were working, can be integral in determining what happened before a crash.

The automaker has previously posited that some drivers may have confused the accelerator and the gas. The company did acknowledge that some gas pedals could stick and loose floor mats could trap the accelerator in rare instances.

In addition, Toyota is not completely off the hook because many of the recorded instances didn’t end in crashes.

“Reviewing event data recorders is one small part of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s effort to get to the bottom of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles,” said Olivia Alair, a spokesperson for the Transportation Department.

The company has recalled over 8 million vehicles since the problems were first reported. Toyota fans may want to look at used Toyotas that are not on the recall list if they want a reliable car.

Nissan has released some teaser images of its redesigned Quest minivan, which is set to hit showrooms next year, in an attempt to revive a once-popular vehicle.

The redesigned Quest sharpens the back edges of the vehicle’s exterior, giving it a boxier look than the previous model, according to pictures available on Nissan’s website.

The interior has been redesigned as well. Interestingly Nissan opts to mount the shifter on the quest on the center console, underneath the GPS and radio controls. While this was prominent on the older Quest models, the new interior looks considerably sharper.

Those who don’t like boxy cars may want to opt instead for a used Nissan quest. With the new models coming in, many late-model iterations of the current quest will find their way onto the pre-owned market. Families should also consider whether they need the full size of a minivan, instead opting for a less-expensive and more fuel-efficient crossover, like a used Nissan Rogue.

Since being a near-requirement for large families, minivans have fallen out of style in the past few years, with many choosing crossovers and SUVs instead. However, 2011 is shaping up to be the “year of the minivan,” as all three Japanese automakers are releasing new minivan models, and Chrysler plans to give its Town and Country an interior redesign as well.

Chrysler has announced that it will retire the instantly-recognizable PT Cruiser model next month, marking the end of a successful run for Chrysler’s small car. Those who love the design will be able to find PT Cruisers on the used car market after the car ceases production.

The car enjoyed initial success upon its debut in 2000, far outperforming Chrysler’s sales expectations. Despite the SUV craze at the time, drivers flocked to the unique design of the PT Cruiser, according to the Detroit Free Press.

“For a while, it was the best-selling Chrysler-brand vehicle,” Jim Hall, managing director of consulting firm 2953 Analytics, told the news provider.

The model was also notable for kicking off the small car retro craze. Sales of the PT Cruiser, along with the Volkswagen Beetle, paved the way for the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500 to make their comebacks.

Despite the initial success, Chrysler could never capitalize on the vehicle, and will cease production this year after only selling 5,452 units.

“It’s plugged along and still has a loyal fan base,” said Hall.

That fan base will have to turn to the used car market in order to find the once-celebrated vehicle.