When the recession hit, new car sales dropped dramatically, and many drivers held onto their current vehicles longer to save money. Those who did buy vehicles sought out used models, which drove the price up, and some previously owned models even cost as much or more than their new counterparts. Now that the economic environment is improving and new car sales are on the rise, the used car market is seeing changes that benefits drivers.

According to the most recent monthly Market Report by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), the overall value of used cars dropped 1 percent in September over August's numbers. Specifically, fuel-efficient models are seeing declines in value, as the cost of gasoline, while still well above the $3 mark, is much lower than it was during the summer months. The value of used cars has been dropping for the past few months, and KBB's report indicates the rate of this decline is much quicker than that of new vehicles, creating a wider gap between the cost for new and used cars.

"As time goes on, expect the gap between new and used vehicles to continue to increase, as used-vehicle values descend from their current levels while supply improves at auction," said Alec Gutierrez, KBB's manager of vehicle valuation.

Not all used models are seeing a widening price gap, however. Vehicles such as the 2011 Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler and Subaru Impreza are still typically selling for prices that are just under those of brand new models. While this may be a disadvantage for those on a budget looking to purchase used models, it also means these particular cars do a better job of retaining their value, so drivers who own these cars may be able to get a good trade-in value to put toward the purchase of their next car. NJ Auto Auction has a wide selection of makes and models for drivers to choose from when they're ready to get rid of their current vehicle.