With Halloween looming large, your mind is probably consumed by things like candy, costumes and zombies. Of course, the zombies you're thinking of are probably more of the flesh-eating, decaying monster type than the ones with four wheels. That's because not many are aware of zombie cars – but you should be, as these vehicles are more common than you may think. 

What's a zombie car? 
A zombie car is any vehicle that has been discontinued as a brand. Although new versions of these models may not be hitting the streets, plenty of older ones are still present. In fact, Experian Automotive found that nearly 6 percent of the almost 250 million cars on the road today qualify as zombie cars. 

Among these vehicles, the most popular is Pontiacs, which make up more than 32 percent of the zombie car population. That easily outpaced second-place Mercurys, which comprised 19.4 percent, and the third-place Saturns, which came in at 16.1 percent, according to Experian. Also making a mark was Oldsmobile and Suzuki, although those numbers are a bit lower. 

The plague hits New York
Of all of the cities in the U.S., New York was one of the most popular for zombie cars. Approximately 3 percent of all vehicles in the city's metro area fall into the zombie category, which is second only behind Chicago's 3.4 percent. It also makes New York narrowly ahead of Detroit, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, which all range from 2.7 to 2.4 percent. 

Upgrading your zombie
Are you driving a zombie vehicle, or one that's close enough to make no matter? Then you may be in the mood to upgrade. Regardless of what brand you're thinking of switching to, the selection at New Jersey State Auto Auction may have what you're looking for. The lot contains hundreds of Carfax-certified cars, trucks and vans, as well as an in-house financing department that's dedicated to helping you get the ride you want. 

Maybe you drive a zombie car and love it. If that's the case, never fear, as the right vehicle maintenance can keep your vehicle running for many more full moons. Schedule an appointment at the Total Car Care Center if you're concerned about your ride's performance, as the garage can address any issues you may have.