Sometimes you have to root for people who just do something because it presents a challenge - and not as a quick way to make a buck. That's the case with Carsabi founder Dwight Crow.

Carsabi, at its most basic, is an enhanced way to search through craigslist used car listings without having to open up specific geographic areas. For example, you could, as I did, look for hypothetically a 2005 Saab 93 within 100 miles. There's no easy way to do that on craigslist that I know of.

I did an email interview about Carsabi and was most intrigued by the fact that Dwight kicked off this venture simply for the challenge. He said of him and his partner (his housemate Chris), "We're both nerds so its fun to build things like this."

As of now, Carsabi is just a venture with no money coming in. At some point it might target Google advertising as a means of revenue. Right now, it's a nice clean site with no ads, which means you have nothing to lose by checking it out. No spam awaits you.

Wasn't there once an advertising campaign along the lines of "You're not getting older. You're getting better"? A slightly revived version of that should become the new motto for used cars in the United States. Used cars are getting older but they're getting better.

That's my conclusion after reading the Polk report on the average age of used cars. The number for all used vehicles is 10.8 years and for used cars in particular it is 11.1 years.

My wife's 2002 Dodge Neon is coming up on 10 years this June. I'm hoping it hits the 11.1 years mark and then some because it's nice not having a car payment. Our second car, a 2008 Mazda5 hits that distinction this month.

I think lots of Americans are like me and my wife. We're keeping our used cars as long as possible to avoid having car payments. Heck, even a $350 a month car payment is an extra $4200 in the bank if you can go an extra year. Sure there are probably some additional maintenance costs but you're bound to come out ahead.

Last week I was at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show with an eye towards products that are going to enhance the value of your used car (plus I was on assignment for some other outlets that I write for).

The most intriguing technology for used cars I witnessed was MobilEye. It basically takes your used car and makes it as safe as anything new on the road. At its simplest description, it's a camera that reads the road ahead for you to make your driving experience as safe as possible.

It's nice to see the playing field made more level for used car owners when it comes to safety. MobilEye is going to make your used car as safe as any new car sitting in a dealership lot.

There will be other highlights from CES coming up in the next couple weeks. There are good products on the horizon that are going to make your used car a lot more pleasant - and safer - to drive. Plus, who knows? It might even increase your used car's value when it comes time to sell.

In the Internet world, the goal is to promote your own copy - the things you write. Here at About.com it's not for page views because we don't get paid just on page views. Many websites do, which is why you see bizarre headlines that don't necessarily have anything to do with the copy underneath.

Because I'm reader focused (which is why I answer all emails - at least the non-spam ones), I am going to do something unusual in a blog post and promote another writer's copy because it performs a valuable service for owners of used cars with salvage titles.

Emily Delbridge writes about car insurance and loans at About.com's carinsurance site. (We really do cover everything you need to know here at About.com.) She has written a nice primer on insuring a salvage title vehicle that is going to help those who swear by these cars for their value.

As always, remember that salvage titled vehicles can be a tricky thing. Unless you are a professional or a well-trained amateur, always have a vehicle with a salvage title inspected thoroughly. Also, do a vehicle history report whether it's CarFax or AutoCheck so you can learn more about the car.

Thanks to Emily for such an informative piece that's going to help a lot of people.