Car costs can come from any direction. Fuel, maintenance, insurance – all of these miscellaneous expenses pile up and put a strain on any driver's wallet. In fact, a recent study from AAA found that the average cost of owning and operating a typical sedan has increased by almost 2 percent, up to about $9,122 from last year.  

The cost per mile for an average sedan is 60.8 cents. This is significantly less than large sedans or SUVs, but smaller sedans are less expensive in general. As the length of time people keep automobiles grows, drivers are faced with higher maintenance and insurance costs, which has a ripple effect in the auto industry. 

"Many factors go into the cost calculation of owning and operating a vehicle," said AAA director John Nielsen. "This year, changes in maintenance, fuel, and insurance costs resulted in the increase to just over 60 cents a mile … Before you make any vehicle purchase, it is important to determine ownership and operational costs and compare them to your current and future financial situation." 

USA Today reports the largest cost increase in the past year was maintenance. Overall, price tags related to maintaining a vehicle were up more than 11 percent in the past year, which includes the standard costs for replacing parts or getting repair work done. Insurance and fuel prices also grew, albeit by a smaller amount, from 2012 to 2013. 

Drivers who are looking to keep their car costs down can head to the New Jersey Auto Auction to look at an assortment of CARFAX certified models. The Total Car Care Center at NJ Auto Auction is also available for motorists to bring their vehicles in for a tune up or maintenance work.