In this second of three episodes of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks all about the reality of owning an"electrified" vehicle - hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). What are the costs of owning an electric car?

The Straight Shift, #84: How to Buy a Car FAST During an Inventory Shortage

Feb 19th, 2022 45m 49s

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.

Why Your New Car May Be Missing Some Bells & Whistles!

Jan 25th, 2022 34m 48s

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 mak

What is the Difference Between Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid and Electric Cars?

Jan 12th, 2022 48m 26s

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

Why Vehicle Crash Test Results Don't Apply to Women!

Dec 6th, 2021 44m 13s

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

Why Holiday Car Shopping Will Suck in 2021 & What You Can Do About It

Nov 6th, 2021 46m 17s

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 mak

The Best New Vehicles for 2022 - including an electric Hummer?!?

Jun 30th, 2021 55m 30s

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 Hyb

What All First Time Car Buyers Need to Know!

Jun 4th, 2021 51m 58s

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!

How to Buy a Car During an Inventory Shortage

Apr 22nd, 2021 42m 49s

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 w

Why the Car Makers Can't Build Cars Right Now!

Jan 30th, 2021 36m 11s

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 ne

How to Buy a Car Out of State

Jan 7th, 2021 58m 7s

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 als

How to Find a Good Mechanic, Part 2

Dec 15th, 2020 44m 52s

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 c

How to Find a Good Mechanic, Part 1

Nov 30th, 2020 40m 43s

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 diffi

Holiday Car Shopping Tips - 2020 Edition!

Nov 15th, 2020 37m 44s

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 ca

Self-Service Test Driving with Stacauto

Oct 30th, 2020 35m 29s

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

How to Avoid Car Problems During a Divorce

Oct 15th, 2020 45m 7s

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 yo

How to Order a Car and Still Get a Great Deal

Sep 30th, 2020 38m 35s

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 negotiat

How to Name Your Car (and Why You Should)

Sep 15th, 2020 38m 3s

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 s

7 Exciting New Vehicles For 2021 (including the return of the Ford Bronco!)

Aug 31st, 2020 38m 56s

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, th

5 Car Shopping Pet Peeves that Cost You Time and Money

Aug 15th, 2020 38m 44s

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 los

Exclusive Interview with the Mechanic Shop Femme

Jul 31st, 2020 39m 22s

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

How to Buy a Classic Car

Jul 17th, 2020 45m 31s

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

What Happens When Your Car "Sits" and How to Store It Properly

Jun 30th, 2020 31m 21s

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"

Boys and their Toys - The Best Cars, Trucks and SUVs for Father's Day

Jun 15th, 2020 30m 42s

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!

Why the 2021 Toyota Sienna Minivan is a Game Changer!

May 31st, 2020 35m 17s

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 hybr