The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

What do Michael Myers, Pennywise, Hannibal Lecter, and a shady car dealership have in common? More than you'd think! In this special Halloween episode of The Straight Shift , The Car Chick takes 13 classic horror movies and reveals the surprisingly useful lessons they teach us about buying a car. From The Blair Witch Project and the dangers of shopping without a plan to Christine and the peri...

Vehicle thefts dropped a whopping 23% in 2025, but nearly 660,000 vehicles were still stolen across the U.S. That works out to one stolen vehicle every 48 seconds. So what can you actually do to keep yours from becoming one of them? In this episode of The Straight Shift , The Car Chick digs into the anti-theft products dealerships love to sell, including VIN etching, microdots, GPS trackers, and t...

Those little solar-powered Flock cameras are popping up everywhere, and depending on whom you ask, they're either an incredibly powerful crime-fighting tool or a terrifying surveillance network. So which is it? The Car Chick goes down the Flock Safety rabbit hole to find out what these cameras actually know about your car (and you), how law enforcement uses the data, how AI can get it impress...

Would you pay thousands more for a new car just to avoid the traditional dealership experience? Carvana is now selling brand-new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles, and some buyers are paying significantly more for them than they would at competing dealerships. Yet Carvana is moving those cars at a staggering rate. In this episode, The Car Chick looks at why Carvana's new-car experiment i...

Distracted driving isn't just texting, eating, or screwing around with your touchscreen. After The Car Chick got a ticket for running a red light she didn't even realize she'd run, she learned firsthand how emotions and cognitive distraction can affect even a highly trained, attentive driver. In this episode, LeeAnn looks at what distracted driving really means, why your eyes can be...

Everyone wants to know which car is the most reliable. But what if that's actually the wrong question? In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick takes a deep dive into what reliability really means in today's automotive world—and why simply looking at a Consumer Reports score or a J.D. Power award isn't enough. Inspired by a real client trying to choose between a Toyota R...

Episode Summary Could your car become a battlefield in the New Cold War? It sounds like the plot of a spy thriller, but it's actually one of the biggest stories quietly reshaping the automotive industry. This week, The Car Chick® connects the dots between several recent episodes—including vehicle data privacy, EV tax credits, tariffs, and "Made in America"—to reveal the much bigger...

Electric vehicles were supposed to make cars more affordable. So why does the average EV now cost well over $50,000? Enter Slate Auto , a brand-new American startup that's taking a completely different approach. Their first vehicle is a bare-bones, highly customizable electric pickup that starts at just $24,950 . No giant touchscreen. No built-in stereo. Even crank windows are back. But is Sl...

Think hidden fees, fake discounts, rebate games, mandatory add-ons, and vehicles advertised at prices you can't actually get are just part of buying a car? The FTC doesn't think so. In this episode, The Car Chick® breaks down the six dealership advertising and pricing practices the FTC says may violate federal consumer protection laws. But before we get into the legal stuff, I share a re...

Summary After a three-month hiatus, The Car Chick® is back — and apparently while she was gone, the global economy decided to completely lose its damn mind. In this comeback episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick breaks down how conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, rising oil prices, tariffs, petrochemicals, EVs, and global supply-chain chaos are affecting far more than just what you pay at the...

We're pumping the brakes on The Straight Shift podcast for a little while, but that doesn't mean you can't still receive important automotive industry updates! Visit my website to sign up for The Straight Shift Newsletter and keep driving safely! https://www.thecarchick.com/ You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here .  Connect with LeeAnn: Website Instagram...

SUMMARY Cars are no longer just mechanical machines — they are rolling software platforms. In this episode of The Straight Shift , The Car Chick® breaks down the growing trend of subscription-based car features and what it actually means for consumers. From life-saving systems like OnStar and connected services such as Subaru STARLINK and Hyundai BlueLink, to hands-free driving tech like Super Cru...

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® discusses the intricacies of car leasing, particularly focusing on what to do at the end of a lease. She shares a real-life example of helping a client navigate lease end options, emphasizing the importance of understanding positive equity and the often-misleading information from leasing companies. The conversation covers the impact of...

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® discusses the importance of understanding different drivetrains, particularly in the context of winter driving. She reflects on the recent winter storms in the Carolinas and addresses common misconceptions about all-wheel drive vehicles. The conversation covers the differences between rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive...

Summary Amazon Autos promises to make buying a car as easy as clicking “Buy Now.” But is it actually easier — and more importantly, is it better for car buyers? In this episode, The Car Chick® breaks down how Amazon Autos really works, why Hyundai was the first automaker to partner with Amazon, how the platform has evolved into used and certified pre-owned vehicles, and where dealership bullshitte...

Summary In this episode, The Car Chick® discusses the current state of the automotive industry as we enter 2026, reflecting on the challenges faced in 2025, including economic uncertainty and shifts in consumer confidence. She shares predictions for the upcoming year, emphasizing a potential shift from electric vehicles (EVs) to hybrids, and highlights the importance of empowerment through mobilit...

Summary In this final episode of 2025, The Car Chick® takes a more personal turn—sharing how recent firearms training led to a powerful realization about driving safety. This episode is not about politics or gun rights. It’s about responsibility, training, and what happens when we treat powerful tools too casually. From overwhelming choices and “gear over skill” thinking to why training matters mo...

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® shares her experiences and insights from the 2025 Charlotte International Auto Show. She discusses the latest vehicle redesigns from various manufacturers, highlighting the Nissan Armada and Murano, Toyota's Grand Highlander, 2026 Hyundai's Palisade, 2026 Subaru Crosstrek and 2026 Outback, and the 2026 Honda Passport. LeeAnn e...

Part 2 of the “How to Order a New Car” crossover with A Girl’s Guide to Cars SUMMARY This episode picks up where Part 1 of our crossover with Scotty Reiss left off. On her show, What Drives Her from A Girl’s Guide to Cars , we busted the myth of the “factory order” and why so many buyers are told they can’t custom-order their dream car and how dealer allocations actually control what gets built. N...

Episode Summary Ever wandered through a European parking lot and thought, “Why don’t we get cars like that in America?” In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick, dives into the sleek, smart, and downright sexy European cars that U.S. drivers can’t buy — and all the bureaucratic, political, and marketing nonsense that keeps them off our roads. She covers everything from trade wars and t...

Summary In this episode, The Car Chick® shares her experiences driving in the UK, highlighting the challenges and joys of navigating on the left side of the road for the first time. She discusses her personal reflections on her trip, some unusual driving challenges and the politeness of British drivers. The conversation covers various aspects of driving culture, including roundabouts, road signs,...

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® and Rudy Samsel, founder of Guys With Rides, delve into the world of classic cars, discussing the emotional and financial aspects of buying and restoring these vehicles. They explore what defines a classic car, key considerations for potential buyers, and the importance of documentation and condition. Rudy shares insights on where to fi...

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® delves into the often-overlooked topic of car transmissions. She explains the critical role transmissions play in vehicle performance, detailing the various types including manual, automatic, CVT, dual clutch, and electric vehicle systems. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how each transmission works, their maint...

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® discusses her upcoming trip to the UK with her family, focusing on the challenges and excitement of renting a car abroad.  She brings in special guest, and rental car ninja, Doug Hofer to get advice.  The conversation delves into the nuances of rental car experiences, including tips for navigating the rental landscape, memorable car exp...

Summary In this episode, The Car Chick® speaks with Adam Olalde, founder and CEO of Xtreme Xperience, about the exhilarating world of supercar driving experiences. They discuss the importance of bucket lists, the entrepreneurial journey of identifying market gaps, and the thrill of driving high-performance cars on racetracks. Adam shares insights on how Xtreme Xperience operates, the significance...