Drivers have their own way of shopping for used cars. Maybe they start by browsing websites looking for great deals or researching to fully understand the ins and outs of auto loans. Some motorists go into the process with a clear idea of which make and model they want to invest in, while others may base the decision solely on price.

Regardless of what guides you, there's a good chance you're unhappy with the overall car buying process. Autotrader recently found that most prospective buyers would like to change a lot of aspects of shopping for and financing a vehicle. Knowing some of these key areas, as well as hunting for the right used car lot, can make a big difference when it's time to buy. 

The current state of car shopping
The car buying experience will be different for everyone, but shoppers who use facilities like New Jersey State Auto Auction may find that certain parts of the process are made easy with the help of the site's resources. On the website, for instance, customers can browse through all sorts of used cars based on make, price, owner history and more. This is only the beginning, however, as they can then seamlessly start the financing process and register to bid for a car. Speed is a priority for these car shoppers. 

Unfortunately, not all car lots are as dedicated to the customer experience as NJ State Auto. Autotrader's latest report, titled the Car Buyer of the Future Study, found that many dealerships have a long way to go when it comes to catering to shopper preferences. Customers want improvements on everything from test drives to how they interact with salespeople, and finding a car lot that meets their needs could encourage them to buy. 

"While there is good work going on right now to adapt decades-old sales processes, consumers are telling us that we as an industry are not moving fast enough," said Jared Rowe, president of Autotrader. "By recognizing – and embracing – the need for change, we have a tremendous opportunity to surprise and delight our consumers."

Financial changes are a must
One of the areas in need of major changes is vehicle financing. According to the Autotrader study, the vast majority of drivers want to have the option of completing credit applications and other financial forms online on their own time. This allows them to spend less time at a dealership and devote more energy to researching areas of financing they may not know about. 

Contrary to popular belief, drivers don't always jump at the lowest price. The report noted that more than half of respondents said they would pay a little more at a dealership with a good overall shopping experience. Additionally, most people don't mind negotiating the details of a financing deal. About 56 percent said they prefer negotiating or bidding to ensure they're getting a fair price. 

Luckily, NJ State Auto Auction can satisfy many of these demands. The car lot allows you to start all processes online, making it easy to complete paperwork and figure out deals on your own terms. A well-oiled auction system makes bidding on vehicles a breeze, but if that takes too much time, shoppers can choose to meet an asking price and drive off the lot on the same day.