“From the time I was a kid, I’ve had a deep passion for cars. I can still remember being five years old, sitting outside my house, pointing at passing cars and calling out the make and model. That fascination never left me,” says James Higgins, owner-operator of an unusual new business in Hopewell Valley — Auto Advisor: Your Personal Automotive Shopper.
Hire the people behind the Auto Advisor, and they’ll help you buy a vehicle. As in help you find it, help you negotiate for it, help you take it home.
Don’t enjoy car shopping? That’s OK. Higgins loves it.
Higgins also just loves automobiles. He owns seven himself, including a Mercedes-Benz, a former Police Interceptor, and a restored pickup.
“Whether it is visiting car dealerships, walking through car museums, or just studying the details of every vehicle, I am drawn to anything with four wheels and an engine,” he says. “I genuinely love the experience and the story behind every car.”
Higgins, 58, has lived in Hopewell Borough for more than 10 years. He is the youngest of eight children and has lived in New Jersey for most of his life, attending Columbia High School in Maplewood and graduating from Seton Hall University. He has also spent time in Manhattan, upstate New York, and New Hampshire.
He has two children: Scott, a graduate of Peddie and George Washington University; and Brooke, who graduated from Hopewell Valley High School, attended Mercer County Community College, and now works with her dad at Auto Advisor.
Auto Advisor officially launched as a business in 2025, but Higgins says he’s been helping friends and family buy cars for more than 30 years. The Hopewell Express interviewed Higgins about the journey that led him to where he is now, making a living helping people buy automobiles.
The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Community News: How did you come up with the idea for the business?
James Higgins: This business is really an extension of a lifelong passion. I’ve owned over 100 cars in my life so far, from a 1968 Volkswagen Baja Bug to a ’67 Chevy to a Ford Maverick to a 1988 Porsche 911. Buying cars and getting great deals is sport for me. I’ve spent decades learning the market, the history and the nuances of buying and selling.
CN: What was your professional background before this?
JH: I’ve spent my career in solutions-based sales, working with companies like T-Mobile and AT&T. I’ve also held executive roles, including serving as a vice president of global sales within the hospitality industry. Selling to me is based on providing excellent service, meeting promises and ensuring my clients feel great about working with me. That experience translates directly into how I advocate for my clients today.
CN: When someone considers working with you, what do you say to convince them that it will be worthwhile?
JH: The car-buying process today is complex and often stacked against the buyer. With new cars, pricing, financing and added and hidden fees can increase the cost by 10 to 20% beyond sticker price.
With used cars from dealerships, people and ads can be deceiving, while unexplained fees and incomplete vehicle histories can cost buyers thousands.
With private sellers, there’s significant risk without proper knowledge and inspection. Finding and buying a car is time consuming and exhausting.
My role is to eliminate those risks and experiences. My expertise, industry knowledge, and network ensure my clients get the right car at the right price, without surprises.
CN: Do you have a physical office?
JH: I have an office in Hopewell, but I’m flexible. I meet clients at their homes, at dealerships, or most often virtually via Zoom.
The initial consultation is typically 30–45 minutes. From there, I stay closely engaged via phone, email, live and text. Most car purchases are completed within 30 days, although I’ve completed transactions in as little as two to three days, when the right vehicle is available.
CN: What’s your “secret sauce?”
JH: It starts with a deep upfront consultation. I work on behalf of the buyer; I protect my clients. They are never left alone with dealerships and salespeople. I aim to understand exactly what the client needs, wants and can realistically afford and ensure they are never taken for a financial ride by the dealership.
I know the difference between great cars and ones to avoid due to cost, mechanical issues and poor resale value. I understand recall histories, damage reports and long-term reliability. I conduct research and reporting for my clients.
This ensures they’re making informed and confident decisions.
I work with trusted mechanics and inspection partners, and clients can pay them directly or through me. I also personally evaluate vehicles using my own diagnostic tools and my experience often will identify issues before a formal inspection is even needed.
If desired, I’ll coordinate inspections with a trusted professional.
CN: Tell us about your high-end or specialty car services.
JH: About 20% of my clients are looking for unique or high-end vehicles, often dream cars or nostalgic purchases. For example, locating a specific 1986 Porsche 911 with exact specs (color, interior, trim) isn’t easy, but that’s where my network and persistence come in.
I specialize in finding those hard-to-locate vehicles. I can source nationally and can find a highly specialized vehicle. From an Aston Martin to a 1967 Ford Mustang, I can find it.
CN: Who are your typical clients?
JH: About 70% of my clients are parents helping their children purchase their first car, or families looking for a new or additional vehicle but simply don’t have the time to manage the process.
Buying a car today requires significant effort, researching options, contacting dealerships and sellers, visiting showrooms or lots, negotiating pricing and many people simply lack visibility into how vehicles are priced and how dealerships structure deals. Just as important, they don’t always have access to the safety, reliability, and long-term value data needed to make a confident decision.
My role is to be there with them through the entire process, finding the right vehicle, educating them along the way, and giving them the confidence and knowledge to make smarter decisions now and in the future.
CN: Do you have any additional tips?
JH: Don’t go to a dealership alone. You wouldn’t walk into a courtroom without a lawyer. You wouldn’t go into surgery without a doctor. And you should never walk into a car dealership without an expert by your side.
It’s one of the largest financial decisions people make. By having the right guidance, it protects you, saves you money, and ensures you make the right choice. My goal is simple: take the stress, risk, and uncertainty out of buying a car. Whether it’s a first vehicle, a daily driver, or a dream car, my clients can make smart decisions and drive away happy and confident.
James Higgins of Auto Advisor, a new business with a unique proposition based in Hopewell.,
