I have always dreaded the car-buying process, but after my experience with Charlotte & Women’s Automotive Solutions, I just might look FORWARD to my next car purchase! I will be excited to recommend you to anyone that I know is in the market for a vehicle. You were able to find the car I wanted in record time and negotiated more for my trade that I expected. Really, what more could I ask for??!!
Thank you!
Mark Boyer Dec. 29, 2010
Charlotte, NC

I knew what I wanted, but I did not have the patience to negotiate and shop with dealers. The time that Charlotte saved me from that having to play games with the dealers allowed me to work, play & enjoy the experience of buying a new car. I felt confident I got a good price an in a reasonable amount of time. I will be recommending to all my friends!
Thanks again Charlotte
Ben Wilson Dec. 2010
Charlotte, NC

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/winter-car-deal-1.aspx

http://www.wisebread.com/the-safest-cars-for-teen-drivers

The Car Chick, co-owner of Women’s Automotive Solutions and co-host of the America’s Garage radio show, talks with Fox News about holiday car shopping.  Are YOU leaving money on the table?

The Car Chick talks with Fox News about Holiday Car Shopping

Indeed, the 2011 Nissan Murano Cross-Cabriolet is a weird car.  It’s a two-door Murano SUV with a ragtop and a coupe-like trunk.  This radical concept comes from the same folks at Nissan who brought us the Cube and the Juke.  Of course, Nissan has also designed some of the best sports cars, like the Z and the GT-R, as well as solid sedans like the Altima and the Maxima.   Either the Nissan design team is schizophrenic, or they have a mad scientist division made up of engineers who have watched too many episodes of Top Gear while stoned.

That being said, the CrossCab is not a bad car.  It’s actually quite comfortable.  You won’t find this much legroom in the backseat of any other convertible except the half-million dollar Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.  The doors are ginormous, making it easy to get in and out of the vehicle – except in the grocery store parking lot.  The truck is comparable to that of a medium-sized sedan, even with the top down, so you should be able to squeeze in a couple of sets of golf clubs.  You also get that commanding view of the road that is a top selling point of SUVs.  It’s also very well equipped, with luxury options like leather, heated seats, a backup camera and navigation as standard features.

Unfortunately, it also comes standard with a $47,000 sticker price.  With only one trim level, you also get automatic xenon headlights, foglights, heated mirrors, a fully powered soft top and keyless ignition/entry, automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control, power/memory seats, Bluetooth, and a seven-speaker Bose sound system with an iPod interface, CD player, satellite radio and 9.3GB of digital music storage space.  You are also stuck with the ridiculous 20” rims and the mostly pointless AWD.

The 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 265 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque.  This means that despite it’s heavier weight, the CrossCab has just about as much “umph” as the regular Murano, and Nissan’s CVT transmission does a good job of keeping you in the ideal powerband.  We clocked a naught to 60 time in just over 8 seconds, which isn’t too shabby for an SUV.  The CrossCab also stopped from 60 mph in less than 130 feet, which is also respectable.

Handling is very similar to that of the regular Murano, with appropriately tight steering and decent feedback to the driver.  The reinforced structure of the topless CrossCab combined with the overkill 20” rims make for a slightly bumpier ride.  Yet, despite the stiffer suspension, the CrossCab corners with the grace and elegance of an inebriated elephant.  And you certainly won’t be taking it off-road.

Safety-wise, the as-yet-unrated CrossCab comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, pop-up roll bars, and a cocoon of airbags mounted in every nook and crannie.   Fuel economy is unsurprisingly mediocre at 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway, and it drinks premium gas.

The new Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is definitely different.  If you want a convertible, but you still need to haul four adults and two golf bags, then buy this car.  If you want the neighbors to gaze into your driveway and say, “what the #$%&?”, then go for it.  It’s a nice car, pleasant to drive, and certainly the most practical convertible on the market.  But, should a convertible be practical?  Isn’t that the point of having a mid-life crisis?  Nissan is trying to do too much with one vehicle and at too high a price point.  For $50,000, you can buy a small SUV AND a nice, used convertible.  Nissan doesn’t break out the Cross-Cab sales from its overall Murano sales numbers, so we don’t know how many have sold so far.  The fact that Nissan has dropped the sticker price by nearly $2,000 for the 2012 model year tells us that they are not exactly flying off the lots.  And what happens when the novelty wears off?  Well, ask Chevy about their short-lived SSR convertible pickup truck idea.

The Volkswagen Beetle has always been a cute, little icon and was always a gas-sipping marvel as well, with an exterior and interior that matched or exceeded the quality of its competitors’ vehicles every step of the way.  But with the positives came glaring faults, most notably with the mechanical components.   Consumer Reports included the Beetle in its “Worst of the Worst” list due to below-average reliability, and Consumer Guide Automotive listed seven of the components on the Beetle that were commonly faulty, which were often more expensive parts like the transmission and heater core.

With this is mind, does the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle step its game up?  Featuring a completely redesigned exterior and interior, Volkswagen has done its best to reface the defiled but historic name of the Beetle.

Exterior
While the appearance of the Beetle has been given a facelift to appeal to a greater range of customers, the heart of the Beetle still beats strong. “Experience tells automakers that women will buy a ‘guy’s car,’ but men are less likely to buy what still is called in the business ‘a chick’s car,’ or ‘a girl’s car,’ said James R. Healey of USA Today.  And according to TruCar.com, women were registered owners of 60.6 percent of Volkswagen Beetles last year, so the revamped exterior was done to entice more male buyers.   That said, the Beetle has never looked better.  Anyone who purchases this car because of how it looks cannot go wrong, whether female or male.

Mechanical
The previous Beetle had a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that put out a modest 150 hp, but the 2012 model uses a modified version of that engine to put out a more manageable 170 hp.   In addition, Volkswagen is also offering a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 200 hp for customers looking for a bit more power than the average buyer.

What many may or may not like about the new Beetle is the very “average” gas mileage that it gets. With an automatic transmission, the Beetle achieves a high of 29 mpg highway and 31 mpg highway with a manual transmission. While not entirely abysmal, the gas mileage is nothing to marvel at, because rivals have already developed vehicles that are venturing into 40 mpg territory.

Interior
The cabin was expanded to give occupants more room, which should be most exciting for larger drivers and passengers alike because of how uncomfortable the previous model was.   And although legroom in the rear was cut slightly, Volkswagen repositioned the backseats to increase comfort, so passengers have little to complain about with this change.

The minimalistic instrument cluster and dashboard might turn off some, but it actually fits well with the overall appearance of the vehicle. The large and easy-to-read instruments are pleasant to look at, and the radio interface and climate controls at the center are easy to reach and use.   Plus one to Volkswagen with their efforts in refining the interior.

We’ve come to expect Volkswagen to churn out Beetles that come off as mediocre examples of how vehicles should be produced.  They’ve been putting out Beetles that fall apart after a few years and leave people scratching their heads and spouting curse words to the heavens as they sit on the side of the road waiting for tow trucks.  It comes as a pleasant surprise, then, that the new Volkswagen Beetle seems to be trying to shed its image as a mechanical disaster and become a consumer-friendly vehicle.   While nobody knows how the 2012 Beetle will stand up to previous reliability woes due to its infancy on the market, the details seem promising.

Keep a lookout for this one.  Things are looking up for the Beetle.

http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/autos/3-myths-of-used-car-buying-today/

1.  Your Budget – Your budget may make the decision for you.  If you can only afford a $10,000 car, you will most likely have to buy used.  While you can occasionally find new cars in this price range, you will end up with a base model econo-box with poor quality ratings and minimal convenience options and safety features.  You are better off buying a used model that was a safe, reliable vehicle to begin with.  Don’t be tempted to buy new and use a long loan term to fit the monthly payment into your budget – that can get you in financial trouble and cost you much more in the long run.

2.  Depreciation – The average vehicle depreciates at least 20% in the first year of its life.  Some vehicles depreciate as much as 40% or more (i.e. Range Rovers, Escalades, and pretty much anything wearing a GM or Chrysler badge these days).  Other vehicles, like Hondas and Minis, hold their values very well.  If your desired vehicle has a high depreciation rate, then it makes sense to buy “slightly used” and save yourself a good chunk of change.  However, if your dream car holds its value exceptionally well, then you might want to pay just a couple thousand more for a new one with a full warranty.

3.  Availability – If you want a model that just came out, then you will obviously have to buy new.  But, if you are considering one that has been out for at least a year, then check the availability of used models in the secondary market.  In today’s economy, people are holding on to their vehicles, which is reducing the supply of used cars on the market and increasing used car prices.  Some models are hard to find and priced so high, that it makes more sense to buy new.  However, if you are looking for a model that is popular with the rental car companies, then you should have plenty used ones to choose from.

4.  Interest Rates – Finance rates for used car loans are typically 2 points higher than for rates for new cars.  Why?  Because banks consider used cars to be a higher risk.  If you are considering a “slightly” used car that holds its value well, do the math to calculate the total cost of financing the car over time and see if buying used will really save you money. 

5.  Risk – No matter what, buying a used car comes with some degree of risk.  A used car, by definition, has been subjected to a certain amount of wear and tear, not to mention someone else’s driving and maintenance habits.  Some vehicles have spent most of their life on the highways, others in more strenuous stop-and-go city traffic.  Some vehicles have been garaged and maintained religiously according to the owner’s manual.  Others have been left out in the elements and have never tasted fresh oil.   While a Carfax report may reveal obvious signs of abuse such as accidents, theft and flood damage, it may not show everything – especially if the “accident” was between the car and its owner’s mailbox. 

6.  Maintenance Costs – The maintenance required during the first year or so of a vehicle’s life is usually limited to oil changes, tire rotations and other relatively inexpensive items.  Some manufacturers even cover the cost of these routine maintenance items for the first few years.  A used vehicle, on the other hand, may require the replacement of more expensive parts such as tires, brakes, a battery or worse.   When you purchase a new vehicle, those expensive repairs often don’t come along until you have already paid off the vehicle loan (assuming you financed it properly).  On a used vehicle, expensive repairs can pile up on top of your monthly loan payment, straining your budget.  And, by the way, most repairs are “routine maintenance” and are NOT covered by an extended warranty.

Ultimately, the decision to buy new or used comes down to what you car love, what car you can afford, and what will give you peace of mind.

Still not sure which way to go?   Call Women’s Automotive Solutions for a complimentary consultation.  We’ll look at your unique situation as well as the current car market to help you decide which option is right for you.  And, no matter which way you decide, Women’s Automotive Solutions will get you the best deal!

To learn more about the program and to see if you are eligible to take advantage of it, contact Women’s Automotive Solutions or visit the official government website, www.CARS.gov. 

If you ask a random sampling of women how they feel about car shopping, most would rank it right up there with a root canal.  Many women say that the dealers “take advantage” of them or don’t treat them with respect.  Others are uncomfortable with the high-pressure negotiating process.

Research shows that women pay $500 – $1,000 more for cars then men.  In fact, women pay 46% more for goods and services in general than men.  (Similar statistics are true for Blacks and Hispanics.)  Think about it.  We pay more for hair cuts.  We pay more for clothes.  We pay more for dry cleaning.  And, we pay more for cars.  Why?  Because we allow it!  We DON’T ASK for a better deal. 

In her book, “Women Don’t Ask”, author and economist, Linda Babcock, reveals some interesting statistics:

• 2.5 times more women than men said they feel “a great deal of apprehension” about negotiating
• Men initiate negotiations about four times as often as women
• When asked to pick metaphors for the process of negotiating, men picked “winning a ballgame”, while women picked “going to the dentist”
• Women will pay as much as $1,353 to avoid negotiating the price of a car

So, why don’t women like to negotiate?  Are we just wired differently than men, or is negotiating an acquired skill?  According to experts, it’s a little of both.  Women are more relationship-based than men.  When we spend time with someone, even a car dealer, we think that a relationship has been established.  We feel guilty if we don’t give them our business.  Men are better able to separate the relationship from the negotiation.  A male customer and a salesman may get to know each other during the negotiations, but if the numbers don’t work out, the male customer walks away from the deal - guilt-free.  

Babcock believes that society is to blame for teaching women that it is not appropriate or “lady like” to be assertive.  We are supposed to put the needs of others before our own.  Young girls are encouraged to play “house” and other cooperative, compliant games while boys are encouraged to compete and to “win”.    When a man displays initiative, he is considered a “go-getter”.  A woman displaying the same behavior is considered “pushy” and “aggressive”. 

Does this mean that women are less capable negotiators than men?  Hardly.  Women simply take a different approach, one that is more “collaborative” than “competitive”.   Women are more likely than men to listen to the needs and concerns of all parties involved and look for a win-win scenario.  This approach allows women to develop long-term relationships without burning as many bridges as men, who tend to focus on short-term gains.  

Unfortunately, this collaborative approach does not always serve us well in the car buying process, which is short-term and adversarial by design.  What can we do to be better car negotiators?  Stay tuned for our next article, “5 Tips for Tough Negotiating”.

Of course, we must be careful not to make too many generalizations.  Not all women are intimidated by the negotiation process.  (We car chicks obviously don’t mind it!)  Nor do all men enjoy haggling.  After all, 60% of Women’s Automotive Solutions clients are men!

If you don’t like to negotiate, that’s ok!!!  You don’t have to.  You have “people” to do these unpleasant things for you.  Just call Women’s Automotive Solutions, and we’ll do all the haggling and get you the best deal.   We make car buying easy!