Flooding in Georgia could impact the supply of used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in General Auto News

Auto lots are filled with used cars in New Jersey, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the cars originated in the Garden State. As the recent flooding in Georgia shows, nature can have an affect on previously pristine vehicles.

That’s why buyers will want to check for a couple of things with some used cars, to ensure that the car they buy is safe for use. Many businesses will inform potential buyers of vehicles with salvage titles or flood damage, but caveat emptor.

A used car in New Jersey that has completely new interior materials should raise a red flag, according to some automotive experts, as should one with excessive rust or corrosion in the undercarriage and spare tire holder.

Other tips include ensuring the electrical system functions properly and using one’s nose for any moldy smells that could be a sign of previous water damage.

“Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers,” notes Jason Day, vice president of one used car retailer.

Politics may color opinions of those purchasing used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in General Auto News

Some researchers are finding that where you land along the political spectrum may influence which vehicle you purchase, which could affect the sales of some used vehicles in New Jersey.

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research focused on consumer attitudes as they related to the Hummer line of vehicles from General Motors, all of which fit into the large or midsize SUV class.

They found in interviews of current Hummer owners that they felt morally comfortable driving a vehicle that they told scientists represents American ideals like the “rugged individual” and the “boundless frontier.”

Contrary to those who focus on fuel consumption, the Hummer owners were more likely to be conservatives who felt that their vehicle purchase represented a desire to maintain American culture.

If those ideas resonate, then used cars in New Jersey like the Hummer H3 may offer the best fit of the ideals proposed by other buyers provide a vehicle small enough to navigate some of the more congested cities in the Garden State.

“Hummer claims the H3 is about the same length as a typical midsize sedan — and therefore is able to maneuver through urban traffic,” notes a Cars.com review of the 2006 model, adding that the vehicle can also travel in less civilized areas with ease.

Cutting out the middle man may reduce the costs of loans on used cars in New York

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Posted in Auto Loans & Financing News

Although used cars are often times more affordable than their newer brethren, buyers may not be able to pay the entire cost of a used car in New York at the time of purchase, which necessitates loan considerations.

One way to reduce the costs of getting a loan is to cut out the middlemen of online loan providers, the affiliate agents who drive web users to various direct lenders, reports AutoCreditExpress.com. That can save on the overhead of the affiliate’s profit margin, and if applications are made within a couple days of each other, one’s credit score will not be negatively impacted.

However, those with bad credit may benefit from a firm that could advocate for them, like the website itself, since tightened credit requirements have made some lenders wary of buyers with shaky financial history, notes company blogger Steve Cypher.

Interested consumers could also take advantage of the financing and leasing trade associations in the UK, which offers a common sense guide for buying a car that includes information germane to most developed countries, according to Contracthireandleasing.com.

“Buyers often focus on the make and model of their next car, and how to pay for it is a distant second,” Paul Harrison, FLA head of motor finance, told the website.

Indian ‘game changer’ not likely to hit market, but used Ford Focuses in New Jersey available

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Ford

Looking to capture market share from the Tata Nano, currently the world’s cheapest production passenger automobile, Ford is introducing a low-cost model called the Figo in India. Although there are no plans to bring the car to the U.S. market, buyers may want to check out compact models like used Ford Focuses in New Jersey.

Company officials say that the car is expected to appear in the Indian market in the first quarter of 2010, with an expected sales price of $6,000 to $8,000, according to analysts cited by the Associated Press. The move is being made as Ford attempts to address the burgeoning automotive needs in South Asia.

“This new car will be a game changer,” Michael Boneham, Ford India president, told the wire service. “It will give us muscle in the heart of the Indian market.”

Buyers in America looking for their own game changer could benefit from taking a look at the 2005 models of used Ford Focuses in New Jersey, which offer a similar price point for the compact car available in hatchback and sedan variants, according to Edmunds.com.

Used Subaru Imprezas in New York fit the bill for those looking for control and luxury seats

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Posted in General Auto News, Subaru - DO NOT USE

If you’ve seen the commercials on TV for some car sites, then you’ve seen how quickly just a few choices of options and body styles can quickly narrow down one’s options. A visitor to Cars.com recently found out that with just four requests, it was possible to narrow down the selection of cars to pick from to used Subaru Imprezas in New York.

Starting with a body type can cut the number of models down by several dozen, and the query was for a five-door hatchback, of which there are roughly a dozen models. But the buyer also wanted leather or pleather seats for riding comfort and a manual transmission, which restricted it even further to sportier models from luxury makers.

The capstone that led to the choice of a new or used Subaru Impreza in New York as the best possible option was the need for all-wheel drive, reports Cars.com. Subaru has built its brand on a drivetrain that includes a low-slung boxer-style engine and full-time all-wheel drive.

The 2006 model year Impreza “is a practical, fun-to-drive alternative to the typically dull cars that populate its segment of the market,” note the Edmunds.com editors.

General Motors program nixed, buyers can find unibody used Honda Ridgelines in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Honda - DO NOT USE

Cars have used unibody construction for years to decrease the amount of weight and improve handling by incorporating the load-bearing sections with the body’s structure. General Motors was recently considering developing a truck using a similar construction technique, but buyers looking for a more car-like pickup may want to check out used Honda Ridgelines in New Jersey instead.

That’s because the American automaker couldn’t find a way to make their unibody truck cost-effective to produce, since market research participants didn’t want to pay a premium for a vehicle with less weight-carrying capacity than standard pickups, notes AutoWeek.com.

“We felt there would be a significant fuel economy improvement” from the mid-sized platform, Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of global product development told the news provider. “But as we dived deeper into it, there wasn’t that much additional fuel economy to be gained.”

Although General Motors couldn’t make it work, people looking for an all-wheel drive vehicle that can carry a lot but still handle like a car could look at used Honda Ridgelines in New Jersey, the only model with unibody construction in the U.S.

Used Nissan Altimas in New Jersey don’t have suspension problems of newer models

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Posted in Nissan

As Nissan gets set to release a press blitz for its 2011 model year Altima, recent cars have experienced suspension problems that could lead buyers towards used Nissan Altimas in New Jersey instead.

The new model will get a variety of appearance upgrades that the company says will offer a more youthful appearance, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a design flaw in 2009 and 2010 model year Altimas could cause the front struts to become loosened.

If the vehicle was not immediately repaired, the structural integrity problems caused by the malfunction could lead to a crash, the agency notes.

On the other hand, buyers looking at a used Nissan Altima in New Jersey could enjoy the 2005 model, which has no outstanding recalls issued against it, and has received praise from some reviewers.

“It steers with a rather light touch, is stable on the road and exhibits minimal body lean,” notes a Cars.com review. “Ride comfort is satisfying, and the fully independent suspension deals adeptly with pavement bumps and holes.”

How to look underneath the paint to find quality used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News, General Auto News

There are still thousands of used cars in New Jersey and other states that could provide the right combination of affordable pricing and features similar to many new cars, but buyers should know what they are getting into, as owners treat their cars differently.

When it comes to used cars, it may require some research to ensure that you don’t have to turn an automotive lemon into lemonade, but as visitors at a Virginia mall recently found out, appearances can be deceiving.

What happened

Used cars in New Jersey and other vicinities can be sold even after the car has been in an accident, and to some car buyers, the difference between a vehicle that has been well-repaired and one with no body damage may not be apparent to the naked eye.

Good Morning America recently decided to test the appraisal skills of prospective car owners by lining up five used cars at a shopping center. Four were completely clean, and one had been repaired after an accident.

The show’s hosts found that only one in five passersby were able to identify the car that had work done on it, with one collision expert spotting the bumper attached differently than standard procedure and other small discrepancies.

It confirms that “consumers don’t have the experience that people like Carfax and mechanics have with used cars,” said Carfax spokesman Larry Gamache, according to the report.

How you can avoid the same issue

Of course, Larry Gamache says that a vehicle history report like the one offered by his firm can offer an initial benefit to buyers of used cars in New Jersey by giving them the vehicle’s history, including numbers of previous owners and any reported service history.

The editors at Edmunds.com agree that a Carfax report or similar style vehicle history can provide information about the odometer reading, salvage title if the car has been in a catastrophic event, and other information to help buyers understand what they are getting themselves into.

They also recommend finding an experienced mechanic to look over the vehicle prior to one’s purchase. This can be particularly important if one does not live near the seller and is trying to take advantage of regional differences in prices, but wants to ensure that the car will operate as advertised.

For the research-oriented

Learning how to identify potential problems in a car can save anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars on the price of an inspection by an experienced mechanic to several thousand dollars if a driver has to write off the cost of used car in New Jersey.

Signs of wear such as dings, paint scratches or rust may point to deeper underlying conditions that could affect the cost of used vehicles, notes Investopedia. If the dealership or auction site allows it, a test drive on a variety of roads can give a driver the sense of how the car will operate when it’s not on smooth pavement.

Reputable dealers will often offer vehicle history information and the chance to inspect used cars in New Jersey and other states before a purchase is finalized. If a consumer feels that they have been taken for a ride however, the local better business bureau may have information about state lemon laws and be able to provide other assistance.

Economist: Fuel efficiency regulations to drive up value of used cars in New York

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Posted in Auto Industry News

President Obama and other administration officials were happy to announce that new regulations would require that new cars built for the 2012 model year and beyond would need to be more fuel efficient. Their move could actually increase interest in used cars in New York instead.

Economist Eric Morris writes in the New York Times that because it costs money to develop the technology for fuel efficient cars, new car prices will likely rise higher in the coming years and make used cars a more likely proposition for some buyers.

“Depending on the models involved and their mileage, keeping used cars around a bit longer may ultimately have benefits for the environment, given the energy that goes in to building a new car,” he writes on the paper’s website.

Right now, larger used cars in New York and around the country are seeing more interest from buyers, thanks to low gas prices, reports USA Today.

“People are more price conscious than gas [price] conscious,” one dealer told the news provider of the shift in buying to larger cars and SUVs.

Swayze’s ouevre may point buyers to used Cadillac STS-Vs in New Jersey

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Posted in Cadillac - DO NOT USE, Celebrity Auto News

Patrick Swayze’s recent passing has led some fans to go back over his work, watching favorites like Dirty Dancing, Road House and others. In his last piece of work as an undercover FBI agent, however, Swayze could bring buyers closer to used Cadillac STS-Vs in New Jersey.

In contrast to earlier roles that focused on classic cars from the 1950s and 1960s, the A&E series the Beast debuted in 2009 with Swayze playing the role of a grizzled agent pursued by personal demons and an Internal Affairs team bent on getting him for various infractions that the series never had time to explain before his pancreatic cancer forced him to back out, according to entertainment industry sources.

But Swayze’s character used the sedan to get in and out of rough situations, and his fans may see more than just a ghost of a great actor if they consider used Cadillac STS-Vs in New Jersey.

The 2006 model “steers with a light feel, comports itself neatly on wet pavement and yields confident sensations,” notes Cars.com, even for drivers on better terms with law enforcement than the characters on the A&E show.