The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks gives you practical strategies for people who need to buy a car quickly during the current inventory shortage.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about why that new car you are buying may not have all of the features and options you are expecting. Yep, the chip shortage is forcing automakers to skimp on features in order to make more cars.  What is your new car missing?!?

In this first of three episodes of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks all about "electrified" vehicles - hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). She revisits some high school physics to teach you the new vocabulary needed to understand the technology of electric vehicles and translates those nerdy terms into language that car shoppers can easily understand.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks (ok, rants) about why the government-regulated vehicle crash tests don't apply to women and, in fact, the majority of the US population. She talks about the what actually happens in a car crash, how men's and women's bodies react very differently, and how a decades-old data bias is proving fatal to women drivers and passengers.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about why holiday car shopping in 2021 will be extra challenging this year due to the low inventory levels, high prices, and a new rule the leasing companies have implemented that makes it much harder to get out of your lease!  But don't fret!  The Car Chick gives you 6 tips for navigating this challenging car market, so you can get a car by the end of the year.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about some of the exciting new and redesigned cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans for 2022. Including the 2022 Honda Civic, 2022 Hyundai Tucson, 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid, 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, 2022 Infiniti QX60 and QX55, 2022 Acura MDX and MDX Type S, 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 2022 Volkswagen Taos, 2022 Kia Carnival, 2022 Chevy Bolt EV and 2022 GMC Hummer EV.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick takes first time car buyers through a step-by-step process, from picking the right car to negotiating the deal without paying too much for extra junk they don't need!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the massive shortage of both new and used cars across the US and the world in 2021. Why are there so few cars on dealer lots? When will more cars be available? Is it better or worse for pickup trucks and SUVs?  What are the best strategies for people who want to buy a car and still get a good deal in 2021?

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the affect of the current, global shortage of computer chips on the automotive industry. How much will this hurt new car production? How will it affect people who plan to buy new cars in 2021? Why is there a shortage of computer chips in the first place?!?

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the right (and wrong) way to buy a car long distance, including how to buy a new or used car from a dealer out of state as well as how to buy a car from a private party. She also covers how to identify scams and fake car ads on Facebook Marketplace and whether to use an escrow service to facilitate the transaction.

In Part 2 of this two part episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how to find a good, trustworthy mechanic and shop to service and repair your vehicle. She talks about the benefits of using an ASE certified or manufacturer certified mechanic as well as the pros and cons of taking your car to a dealership versus an independent shop.

In this 2 part episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how to find a good, trustworthy mechanic. Part 1 talks about what is wrong with the retail automotive service industry that makes finding a good mechanics so darned difficult in the first place.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks holiday car shopping deals, incentives and strategies - 2020 style! Is the end of the year still a good time to buy a new car? How has the global COVID-19 pandemic affected the new car market and the traditional end-of-year deals? How should your car buying strategy change for 2020? The Car Chick will tell you what to realistically expect and how to still get a great deal on a new car (while staying safe) this 2020 holiday season.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks with special guest, Jordan Huibers of Stacauto, about a new way to test drive cars without the hassle and pressure of a pushy sales person. Stacauto is a cool, new technology platform that allows car shoppers to schedule a contactless test drive of new and used vehicles!

Learn more about Stacauto at www.Stacauto.com

(This podcast is NOT sponsored in any way by Stacauto or any car dealership. I just think it's cool!)

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks with special guest, Lindsey Easterling of Easterling Family Law, about the most common problems people encounter during and after a divorce. Who gets the cars in a divorce? What if you can't afford the car payments? How do you preserve your credit? How do you get the car retitled in your name? What should you do about insurance? Tune in to learn how to protect yourself and your car during a divorce.

Learn more about Lindsey at www.EasterlingFamilyLaw.com

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how to save money when ordering a car. Most dealers say you have to pay full sticker price if you order a car - not true! The Car Chick gives away her secrets on how to negotiate the price, even if you custom order a car, so you can still get a great deal.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how to name your car, and WHY you even should. She shares the long history of naming vehicles, as well as her personal reasons for why everyone should name their car. She also shares her personal methodology for deciding on the perfect name for your car that she has used to name her cars, like Maggie!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about 7 new vehicles (all SUVs) making their debut for the 2021 model year, including the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime, the 2021 Toyota Venza, the 2021 Kia Seltos, the 2021 Genesis GV80, the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer and the 2021 Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick discusses 5 of her biggest car shopping pet peeves that will cost you valuable time and money. If these things annoy HER, you know they will drive you crazy. Worse, they can cost you to lose thousands of dollars when buying a car. So tune in to learn how to avoid these car shopping frustrations!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks with automotive writer and educator Chaya Milchtein, the Mechanic Shop Femme, about how to know if a mechanic is lying to you, how to buy a used car and car care classes for teens and young adults.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick dishes out some tough reality checks about buying classic and vintage cars. She talks about what to buy, what NOT to buy, what to look out for, where to buy them, and how avoid being killed by your spouse for buying one.

What can (and does) happen to your car when it just "sits" for extended periods of time? How do you store it properly, so it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg when you are ready to drive it again? Tune into this episode of "The Straight Shift" to learn the most common problems that occur when cars are stored improperly, even for a few weeks, and how to avoid them.

Let's face it - boys like their toys. In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick shares her picks for the best cars, trucks and SUVS for dad, in honor of Father's Day, including the fully redesigned 2020 Corvette Stingray!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick gives you the scoop on the upcoming, fully redesigned 2021 Toyota Sienna minivan. Why is this minivan a game changer? Why does it look like something out of the Jetsons? Is it really a hybrid? What first ever feature will make parents' lives easier? And why is The Car Chick so excited about a minivan?

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick explains what your car's VIN number means and how to decode it to discover hidden information about your vehicle. Did you know that some VINs contain real words? The 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid's VIN spells out "FART"! Yeah, we laughed too.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick gives her top picks for the best cars for moms that are NOT a minivan, including the Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Subaru Ascent, 2020 Toyota Highlander, Audi Q7, Subaru Foreser, Mazda X-5, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Santa Fe.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick answers YOUR car questions, including - is NOW a good time to buy a car during coronavirus? Is it safe to drive with the check engine light on? Why are my tires slipping?

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how to stay home and stay safe and still buy a car during Coronavirus. She also talks with auto detailing expert, John Stephens (a.k.a. Swirl Killer) of Carolinas Finest Detailing, about how to clean and sanitize your car.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how the Coronavirus outbreak is affecting the US automotive industry now, and how it may impact it over the next several months. What is the impact to the availability of cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans, and hybrids as well as the availability of car parts? How will new car and used car sales be affected? And what are the Big 3 automakers (GM, Ford and Fiat-Chrysler) doing to help slow the spread of the virus and keep their employees and customers safe?

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the most ridiculous, crazy and downright stupid traffic laws that are still on the books in many states across the US. Including, how to legally drive with a gorilla in your car.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the difference between women and men in the car buying process. Using deeply researched industry data, she shares statistics on the different ways in which women and men approach car research, buying decisions and deal negotiations. What brands of vehicles are more popular with men vs women? What features are more important to each? Who pays more for cars? Are men or women more emotional when making a car buying decision? The answers may surprise you!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how those new, online-only and car "vending machine" dealerships really work, the pros and cons of their car buying experience, and the risks of buying a used car completely sight unseen.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the best (and most economical) ways to protect the interior and exterior of your car from environmental hazards like salt, tree sap, bird poop and your own children.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick helps you save money on car repairs and maintenance and extend the life of your vehicle by identifying 7 weird things your car wishes you knew that are costing you money.

On this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick interviews exclusive guest, Santa Claus, and reveals the top-secret details about his mysterious new sleigh!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the newly launched Tesla Cybertruck, an new all-electric pickup truck, and how it REALLY did in a drag race against a Porsche 911 and a tug-of-war contest with a Ford F-150.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about 3 effects that electric vehicles will have on the US economy that may not be good. Will you be affected?

The Car Chick also shares some fun experiences from the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, including filming the season 1 finale of her TV show, "Rust Rescue".  (Stream the full season online free at www.RustRescueTV.com)

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick reveals the 7 biggest lies that car dealers and salesmen will tell you in order to close the sale!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about 7 exciting new and redesigned SUVs that are hitting the market for the 2020 model year, including the 2020 Hyundai Palisade (and Kia Telluride), the 2020 Hyundai Venue, the 2020 Audi Q8, the 2019 and 2020 BMW X7, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC as well as the fully redesigned 2020 Toyota Highlander and 2020 Subaru Outback.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick breaks down exactly how new car incentives really work. What are the different types of new car incentives, such as rebates, low APRs and leasing incentives? How do know which incentives you qualify for? Is it better to take the rebate or the low APR? And how can new car incentives be used to mislead you about the price you pay for the car?

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about different ways to get out of a car lease. Whether you are in the middle of the lease or at the end, whether you are over your miles or just can't make the payments, you may have more options than you think!

Holy exploding sunroofs, Batman!  In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the crazy phenomenon of exploding sunroofs.  It's NOT just an urban myth!  It's a real safety concern that has plagued over 200 different make and model vehicles around the globe.  And it's getting WAY WORSE!  Tune into find out why and to learn if YOUR vehicle is at risk.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick explains how Certified Pre-Owned programs work, how they different among the different car brands, how much they cost, who has the best (and worst) CPO programs, and is it worth it to buy a Certified Pre-Owned car.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about extended car warranties.  What are the different types of extended car warranties?  How do extended car warranties work?  What should you look for and what questions should you ask when buying an extended warranty?  How do you avoid extended car warranty scams?  And, most importantly, are extended warranties really worth the money, or is there a better option?

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick explains the ins and outs of New Car Warranties - what's covered, what's NOT covered, and how to avoid, well... VOIDING your car's factory warranty.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks all about recalls. What constitutes a recall on a car? How are recalls issued? How do you know if your car has an open recall? What should you do if there is a recall on your car? She also tells the truth about two of the largest and most expensive recalls in history.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the how to sell your car privately to an individual instead of to a dealership. She gives you tips on how to get the most money for your car, how to avoid scams, and how to safely handle the test drive, paperwork and exchange of money.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the age old debate of new vs used. Is it better to buy a used car or a new car? It's always better to buy used, right? Maybe not! Tune in to learn when it may be better to buy a new car vs a used one.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how to prepare your car for a long, summer roadtrip. She'll tell you what to check on the car, what to bring with you and how to stay safe, alert and entertained along the way.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks with special guest, Crystal Snow, The Car Kween about her Car Kweens Association, a non-profit dedicated to helping women pursue their dreams in the auto industry through sponsorships, replacement parts, continuing education and driver training courses. They also talk about the upcoming FastHer Road Rally, an all-female rally "race" across the beautiful state of Oklahoma to raise money for the Car Kweens Association scholarship fund.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks about the "Prius Tax" - alternatives to the gas tax, including fees for registering hybrid and electric vehicle and mileage-based tax systems, that the US governments is considering (and in some cases has already implemented) to help pay for our crumbling road, highway and bridge infrastructure. These new tax and fee systems will charge you for every mile that you drive, even if you don't own a Prius.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks with consumer rights attorney, Steve Moskos of Moskos Law Firm about Yo-Yo scams (Yo-Yo Transactions), also known as Spot Delivery Scams. Steve talks about how to avoid a yo yo scam and what to do if you have been a victim of a yo yo scam or spot delivery scam.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks frankly about a recent and violent carjacking attempt. She gives eye-opening statistics about auto theft as well as practical advice on how to prevent your car from being stolen, and how to avoid being carjacked.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the harsh reality and specific challenges of buying a cheap used car - that is, a used car under $5,000. Learn what to look for, where to look, what to avoid and how to find that diamond in the rough. Plus, learn how you can get The Car Chick's Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist FREE!

Also check out The Car Chick's video about how to inspect a used car at www.CarChick-TV.com. While you are there, be sure to subscribe to the channel!

Did you know that women pay, on average, $1,000 more for the same car than men? In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks with social science expert and co-author of the book, "Women Don't Ask", about why women are often uncomfortable with negotiating, the high cost of avoiding negotiation, and how we can learn to be more effective negotiators for ourselves, both when buying cars and in other areas of our lives and businesses.

Check out Sara's books:

"Women Don't Ask: The High Cost of Avoiding Negotiation and Positive Strategies for Change"

"Women Don't Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide"

"Ask For It: How Women Can Use Negotiation to Get What They Really Want"

(I do not make any money from the sale of these books.  I just think they are awesome and wanted to share the links.)

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks about all of the hype and pure BS in many car commercials, including the truth about those prestigious car awards the manufacturers brag about.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the do's and don't's of leasing. What is leasing? How does it work? Is leasing a good idea or a bad idea? What are the benefits to leasing? What are the risks? What cars are good to lease? What types of people are good lease candidates? What can you do if you are over your miles on a lease?

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about some of the most anticipated new and redesigned vehicles for 2019, including the Audi A6, Mercedes A-class, Toyota RAV4, Lexus UX and Kia Telluride.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about whether or not you should buy an extended warranty, gap insurance, pre-paid maintenance plans or any of the other stuff the dealer tries to sell you in the finance office. Are they worth the cost or are you just wasting money?

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks about reliability and why the cars, trucks, SUVs and minivans made today probably won't last as long as vehicles made just a few years ago.  

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about those pesky warning lights that appear on your vehicle's dashboard. What do they mean? How critical are they? What should you do when they appear? Is your car safe to drive?  Listen to The Straight Shift to find out!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks with special guest and color psychology expert, Stacey Cohen, of Anderson-Cohen Designs about what the color of your car says about your personality.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks with special guest, Lianne Hofer, The Clutter Consultant about how to keep your car organized, clean and clutter-free! Whether you have kids, you are in sales and live in your car, or you are going on a road trip, these tips will keep your car from becoming the automotive equivilent of the "junk drawer". Learn more about guest Lianne Hofer at www.TheClutterConsultant.com

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the affect of storms like Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma on the used car market. She also gives her top tips for how to avoid buying a flood car.

National Motor Vehicle Title Information System database = www.VehicleHistory.gov

The Car Chick's Hurricane Impact Video = https://youtu.be/9NVxZUi_PVI

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the absolute WORST used cars on the US market that you should avoid like the plague and NEVER buy!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick explains what is meant by the octane number of gasoline and why it's critical to use the right type of gas in your vehicle. Does using Premium gas give more power or better gas mileage?  Is it "better" for your car?  The Car Chick dispels many of the myths around gasoline to save you money. She also talks about the difference between regular gas and diesel and why it's disastrous to put diesel fuel in a gas engine and visa versa.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about how we can keep our teen drivers safe on the road. What are the best (and worst) cars to buy for your teenager? How can you set boundaries and monitor their driving behavior? How does your own driving behavior influence them? She also recommends sending your teen to an advanced driving school like the Teen Driving Solutions School (www.TeenDrivingSolutions.org), a non-profit dedicated to keeping teen drivers alive!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick dispels many of the myths around the best time to buy a car. When is the best time to buy a car? The truth is, there are many good times to buy a car throughout the year. And there are some really BAD times!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about what maintenance and repairs you should expect as your car ages, or if you are purchasing a used car. She also points out certain "bad habits" that you may have that are prematurely aging your car and costing you money.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick gives you the Road Rage Test! How prone are you to experiencing road rage? Are your driving behaviors contributing to road rage in others? Learn the common causes of road rage along with great tips to avoid or reduce it so you stay safe and less stressed on the road.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks with car detailing expert, Johnathon Stephens of Carolina's Finest Detailing, about the do's and don'ts of washing and detailing your car to protect the paint and your investment.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks with attorney, Steve Moskos of the Moskos Law Firm, about Lemon Law for cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans and other passenger vehicles.  Steve brings over 30 years experience in automotive-related consumer law and litigation.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick decodes all of those confusing letters and numbers associated with tires, and tells you what to look for, and what to avoid, when it's time to buy new rubber.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the different "driver aid" technologies that exist in cars today - what are they, how do they work, how can they FAIL, and why she doesn't like them.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the recent tragic accident in which a self-driving Uber car killed a pedestrian. She talks about how self-driving car technology works (and doesn't work) and breaks down what investigators know so far about the tragic accident.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks about the critical DOs and DO NOTs of buying a used car, including the most common mistakes that many used car shoppers make that can cost them thousands of dollars down the line.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks about how much the car you are trading is really worth, and how to get the most money for it.  This is Part 1 in a two part series on buying and selling used cars.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks about the 6 main fluids in your car, why they are important and how often to change them to keep your car running smoothly and safely for 100,000 miles and more!

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick shares 8 advanced driving tips that she has learned in over 25 years of racing that YOU can implement on the city streets and highways to become a better and safer driver.

In this episode of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick shares her 3 step process for how to pick the perfect vehicle based on YOUR unique lifestyle, budget and personality.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks about 10 New Year's Resolutions that your CAR wishes you would make.

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks about the top 5 holiday driving dangers and a CRAZY thing that happened in the Walmart parking lot.

In Episode #2 of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks with special guest and award winning auto shop owner, Amy Mattinat, about how to prepare your vehicle for winter.  Whether you live in the North or the South, it is critical to prep your car for colder weather and potentially slippery roads to keep you and your family safe.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

In Episode #1 of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick talks about the top 3 mistakes most holiday car shoppers make and how to avoid them, so you get a great deal on a new car without all of the year-end hassle.

Don't forget to subscribe to the show!