Are you looking for a really special birthday or anniversary gift for your spouse?  Or, maybe, for yourself?  How about renting an exotic car! 

A woman called me a few weeks ago and asked if I could help her rent a car, instead of purchase one.  Her husband has always wanted to drive a high end sports car, so she decided to treat him for his birthday.  Since buying him a swanky ride was not quite in the budget, she looked into renting one for a week.  Exotic car rental companies are a dime a dozen in places like Miami and LA, but not so much in Charlotte.  So, she turned to the Car Chick for help. 

Although I was unable to find any exotic car rental companies (that are still in business) in the Carolinas, I did find a Porsche club that fit the bill.  Club Ferdinand, located near Ashville, North Carolina, is a car club that affords its members the opportunity to drive a fleet of ten beautiful Porsches.  This dream fleet includes Boxsters, Caymans, Cayennes, 911s, and even a classic 356 Carrera Speedster.  Memberships are based either on points or driving days, and start as low as $990. 

While Club Ferdinand does offer rentals, a driving days based membership is a more cost effective option.  For just under $1500, you can purchase a seven driving day membership.  You can use all seven days at one time, or you can spread them out over two years.  You can drive any Porsche in their fleet with unlimited mileage in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.  Liability, collision and comprensive insurance are included. 

Want to combine the thrill of driving a Porsche with a romantic weekend?  Club Ferdinand has partnered with the historic Mast Farm Inn to provide driving tour packages of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.  To learn more about Club Ferdinand, their Porsche fleet, and available driving tours, please visit them on the web at www.ClubFerdinand.com or call Henri Deschamps at 828-963-2626.

The Car Chick (a.k.a. LeeAnn Shattuck) was a guest this past Tuesday night (April 15, 2008) on the nationally syndicated Cooper Lawrence Radio Show!  The segment aired at 9pm Tuesday evening and ran for about 20 minutes.  Cooper asked LeeAnn a few questions about women and car buying, and then LeeAnn took questions from listeners.  All the listeners who called in were women, and they asked what the Car Chick though about various makes and models, reliability issues and maintenance concerns.  It was a fun show! 

For those of you who don’t know, Cooper Lawrence is a relationship and psychology expert with a master’s degree in developmental psychology.  She is the host of her own nationally syndicated radio show airing weekdays M-F 7pm-10pm ET on Charlotte’s 107.9 The Link. Cooper has appeared in many media outlets, including radio, magazines and TV.  Cooper is the also the author of Been There, Done That, Kept The Jewelry, and she has two new books set for release in January 2008:   The Cult of Perfection: Making Peace With Your Inner Overachiever and The Fixer Upper Man: How to Turn Mr. Maybe Into Mr. Right. 

To learn more about Cooper and her radio show, go to www.CooperLawrenceShow.com.  If you missed hearing the Car Chick on her show Tuesday night, you can listen to the Podcast (Select 4/15, Tuesday, Hour 3) at http://www.podtrac.com/PodtracPlayer/podtracplayer.aspx?podcast=http://www.cooperlawrenceshow.com/podcast/cl.cfm

Girls really do like to have fun, and not just with cars.  Women motorcycle riders are growing in record numbers.  According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, women own 10% of motorcycles in the U.S.  These women are not just leather-clad biker chicks - they are executives, business owners and moms!  The typical woman who rides is likely to be in her mid-30s, married, educated and upwardly mobile.
 
Harley-Davidson has seen U.S. sales of its motorcycles to women grow from just two percent of their total in 1985 to 10 percent (23,000 bikes) in 2003.  Chuck Griffith, owner of Griffith Choppers, is also seeing an increase in female clientele.  Griffith Choppers is a custom bike shop that builds one-of-a-kind bikes and does performance upgrades and customizations to foreign and domestic “stock” bikes.

Chuck was quick to recognize the importance of women clients to his business success, and he has differentiated himself in the motorcycle industry as a woman-friendly business.  He frequently gives both men and women buying advice, consults on motorcycle appraisals and instructs new and experienced riders in defensive driving techniques.  Chuck has taught many women how to ride, including his mother and sister!

To learn more about Chuck and Griffith Choppers, visit him at www.griffithchoppers.com.

Over the years, automobile manufacturers and their research partners have spent millions of dollars trying to resolve the age old dilemma of Mars vs. Venus - at least as it pertains to cars.  Marketing research firms have crunched a myriad of numbers, including vehicle sales volumes, vehicle registrations, and survey data in order to understand what cars each gender buys and why.  The results probably won’t come as a big surprise.

Much of the data relating to men’s automobile preferences is clear.  Findings from market research firms such as AutoPacific and NOP World show that large trucks and sports cars are purchased predominately by men.  In fact, males own about nine out of 10 heavy-duty pickup trucks, including the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-350 and Dodge Ram.  This is due to a combination of masculine marketing campaigns (i.e. “Built Ford Tough”) and a need to haul lots of stuff either at home or on job sites in male-dominated professions.  Sports cars at the top of the testosterone scale include the exotic Ford GT, Porsche 911, BMW 6-series, Dodge Viper, and Mercedes SL65 AMG.  In other words, if it’s big and strong or stupid fast, guys like it.  They also like expensive.   I guess that sign my mother bought for my father years ago that said, “The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys” was dead on.

Women’s tastes, on the other hand, tend to be a little more refined.  The cars that are more popular with women are affordable, practical and safe, but with a dose of design sophistication.  AutoPacific found that female buyers most often choose models by Saturn, Honda, Hyundai and Volkswagen.  It comes as no surprise that 65% of VW Beetle Convertible buyers are female, although Volkswagen denies that they were consciously trying to make a women’s car.  I guess they thought that a flower vase on the dash and colors such as “gecko green” and “sunflower yellow” would appeal equally to men.  Yeah, right.

But, don’t think that men are the only ones who prioritize luxury and high performance.  Girls like to have fun, too.  Four of the top “girl cars” are sports cars - the Saturn Sky, Audi TT, BMW Z4 and Mitsubishi Eclipse.  In the luxury segment, women also gravitate towards the Lexus IS, Volvo C70, and Audi A3.  The common denominator with most of these cars is that they are sophisticated, refined vehicles with good safety ratings and reasonable price tags.   They also get decent gas mileage.  Market experts expect to see women buying more luxury and sports cars in the near future, as the baby boomers hit the post-family stage and can finally spend money on themselves.

Not all cars fall clearly into one gender camp or another.  Even though the Mitsubishi Eclipse is extremely popular among women, approximately 39% of the 2006 models were sold to men.  The Honda Accord and CRV, Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry and RAV4 also span gender lines.  These tend to be family-oriented vehicles that offer a balance of safety, reliability, function and value.  Since women still hold the primary responsibility for transporting their families, they usually place practical needs above personal desires.  And, even if men might prefer a flashy vehicle for themselves, they still place a high priority on safety when it comes to their families.  Maybe men and women are both from Earth after all.  

Which vehicles do Women’s Automotive Solutions clients prefer?  About half of our business is Honda and Toyota.  The Honda Accord, CRV and Pilot are extremely popular, as are the Toyota RAV4, Highlander and Prius.  We also purchase many new and pre-owned luxury cars for our clients.  Among the most popular makes are BMW, Lexus, Acura and Volvo.

The holidays are a time to reconnect with friends and family, share stories and reminisce about good times.  So, I thought I’d do a little reminiscing myself and share with you some of my car stories.
 
My parents were kind enough to include me in the car buying process whenever they purchased a new vehicle.  Perhaps they somehow knew that I would go into the car business, and they wanted to prepare me for my future career.  Or, maybe they just couldn’t get a babysitter.  Whatever the reason, the result is that I remember every car my family has ever owned.
 
My earliest car memory is of an ugly, avocado green station wagon with lovely wood grain siding.  This was a 1968 Ford Country Squire, the top-of-the-line in wagon in Ford’s fleet.  Considered the premium American family vehicle at the time, the Country Squire held 9 passengers and was longer than many of today’s full-sized SUVs!   Although we didn’t have 9 passengers, we did need the space for Bambi, the Newfoundland.  Bambi loved to ride in the car, and he served a vital function during the Cleveland winter:  the 140 lb dog added enough weight to the back of the car to keep it from sliding around in the snow and ice.
The next car to enter our family was a chartreuse (yes, chartreuse), 1973 Chevy Vega.  I LOVED that car.  I mean, what 3 year old wouldn’t love a chartreuse car shaped like a football?   I remember being very upset when they traded it in.  However, since the bottom had rotted out, and Dad’s foot had gone through the floor board, it was probably for the best. 

They replaced the Vega with a 1978 white Ford Fairmont station wagon with a rear-facing 3rd row seat.  As kids, my friends and I loved the rear-facing seat.  It was perfect for making faces at other drivers and waving at truckers on the freeway.  At that time, Ford stood for “Found On the Road Dead”.  This station wagon lived up to the reputation and caught fire on the freeway one day on the way home from the airport.  (Ford’s quality has, thankfully, improved since then.)

In 1979, my father celebrated his 40th birthday by purchasing a silver Mazda RX-7.  What says “midlife crisis” better than a 2-seater sports car?  Since I was old enough to understand, my dad told me all about his wonderful new toy and how it worked.  This was our first manual transmission car, and Dad showed me how to properly work the clutch and shift through the 5 gears.  I would sit in the car (without the engine running) and pretend I was driving at Le Mans.  My passion for sports cars was born! 

The first car I actually drove was not a sports car, but a blue 1984 Dodge Aires wagon with woodgrain sides.  Nothing is more glamorous for a 16 year old than to drive Mom’s safe, boring station wagon.  Thankfully, a few months after I got my license, my father taught me to drive stick.  He had traded his Mazda for a 1985 Toyota Celica in two-tone metallic blue.  Mastering the manual transmission was a “trial by gravity” exercise.  Dad stuck me on a hill in first gear until I learned where the clutch caught.  That was an entertaining afternoon.   

The summer before my senior year of high school, my dad bought me a 1978 Audi Fox.  I had my very own European luxury car!  It was, in fact, a 5-speed lemon with no power steering.  If you had less than 1/3 of a tank of gas, and you made a left hand turn, all the gas would flow away from the engine, and the car would stall.  It also had a radiator leak the size of Texas.  It died six months later, leaving me stranded on the side of the road on Christmas Eve.  My dad took pity and gave me the Celica.  I was the happiest 17 year old on the planet.  Dad bought himself a shiny new Mazda RX-7 – in red. 

When I graduated from college (with a job), I traded the Celica for a 1993 Ford Explorer Sport.  Thanks to my cowgirl roommate from Idaho, I had acquired a taste for 4×4s.  My truck phase lasted a few more years, culminating in the ownership of a huge Dodge Ram pickup truck that I couldn’t park anywhere.  Then I turned 30…

Her name was Penelope.  She was a red, 2000 Porsche Boxster S and the love of my life.  With Penelope, I learned high performance driving and raced with the Porsche Club of America.  Flying around a race track at 140 mph creates a bond between human and machine that can’t easily be explained.  It broke my heart when I had to give her up.  She was hit by a Suburban driving on the wrong side of the road and was never the same again.

Nothing could ever take the place of Penelope, but I did need a new car.  So, I purchased a 2005 Infiniti G35 named Isabelle.  Isabelle was a sexy, black on black sport coupe with dark tinted windows and 19 inch rims.  She was the most luxurious car I’ve ever owned, boasting features and options that I never did learn to operate.  After only 19 months, I sold Isabelle and purchased a 2004 Mini Cooper S named Maggie.  Maggie is like a go-cart on steroids, and she is the most fun I’ve had since Penelope.  Maggie proudly wears the Women’s Automotive logos along with pink and black racing stripes.  You can’t miss her on the road.

I guess it’s strange to look back on cars, remembering them as if they were members of the family, but that’s what they have always been to me.  I hope each of you has a wonderful holiday, reminiscing with your family – including your cars.

By the way, my dad now proudly drives a minivan.  You just can’t get 4 sets of golf clubs in a sports car.

No vehicle has captured the hearts and imagination of parents and children at this time of year more than Santa’s sleigh. Yet little is known about this iconic ride that makes the rounds every December.  After a secret interview with Mrs. Claus, I am proud to bring you the exclusive scoop on Santa’s sleigh.   Unfortunately, no photos were available for security reasons.

Due to the high number of miles that he puts on his sleigh, Santa purchases a new vehicle every couple of years.  (He is clearly not a lease candidate!)  This year, Santa purchased a new 2007 Scania Julvagen, made by a leading European manufacturer of heavy trucks, buses, and diesel engines.   Santa selected the upgraded LS model with Hollyberry Pearl metallic paint, a charcoal leather interior and 24 inch alloy runners. 
Santa’s Scandinavian luxury vehicle is a six-seater convertible with a retractable hard top, which folds neatly into a spacious cargo area.  Interior amenities include a GPS navigation system, 6-CD changer, iPod dock, hands-free Bluetooth, heated seats, and a Naughty-or-Nice sensor.

The naturally aspirated 16-nostril power plant produces an impressive 8cp (caribou power) and 8 hf-lbs (hoof pounds) of torque, enabling it to go from zero to mach-10 in under 3 seconds while easily towing the Christmas Eve load.  The all-hoof drive and dynamic stability control system deliver exceptional traction on or off-roofs and even over icy surfaces.  While the EPA does not publish estimated MPG for reindeer powered vehicles, the Scania Julvagen has proven very fuel efficient in previous model years.
The only option available on the Julvagen is the Premium Rudolph Package, which adds a front fog light, backup-assist camera, and additional caribou power.
Due to the unfortunate methane emissions produced by the reindeer, Santa is considering a hybrid vehicle for 2008, which can be powered either by the reindeer engine or modern hydrogen fuel cell technology.

After a long, hot summer, autumn has finally arrived in the Carolinas.  With it come shorter days, cooler temperatures (finally!) and the beginning of the holiday season.  Although the holidays bring us joy and excitement at the thought of festive parties, family gatherings and delicious food, they also bring many driving dangers. 

You may have noticed that the sun has already set by the time most people leave work.  Between the decreasing daylight and numerous holiday party invitations, people drive more at night during the holiday season than any other time of year.  Yet, most people do not realize the dangers of night driving.  According to the National Safety Council, traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day.  Ninety percent of a driver’s ability depends on vision, which can be greatly impaired after dark.  Depth perception, color recognition, and peripheral vision are compromised during and after sundown.  In fact, twilight is one of the most difficult times to drive, because your eyes are constantly changing to adapt to the growing darkness. 

Another holiday driving danger is fatigue. During the holiday season, it is easy to wear yourself out shopping, decorating, and going to parties.  May people drive long distances at a time to visit family and friends.  The holiday rush can lead to exhaustion, which makes driving more difficult by dulling concentration and slowing reaction time.  College students driving home for the holidays may face a particular risk, especially if they’ve been sacrificing sleep for studying. 

Holiday party-goers should be extra careful driving home from those festive events.  While indulging in a cup of eggnog or two can be fun, it is important to remember that alcohol is the leading factor in fatal traffic accidents.  Alcohol also increases the risk of falling asleep behind the wheel.  When you are tired, one drink can feel like four or five.  Driving home from a party can be especially dangerous if you combine alcohol with fatigue.  Watch your own alcohol consumption, don’t drive if you feel sleepy, and be alert for other drivers on the road who may be under the influence.

You can further minimize after-dark dangers by following special driving guidelines and properly preparing your car.  Turn on your headlights as soon as the sun begins to set.  This will not only improve your vision, but it will also make you more visible to others.  Reduce speed and increase your following distance at night.  No matter how good your vision is, you cannot see beyond your headlights, so maintain a speed that allows you to stop in that distance.  Clean your headlights, taillights and the inside and outside of windows at least once a week to maximize your ability to see clearly.  Keep flares, a flashlight and a blanket in your car, just in case you have a nighttime breakdown.

The holiday season is the most dangerous time of the year to be on the road.  Increased traffic, reduced visibility, exhaustion and alcohol consumption can turn holiday joy into tragedy.  However, taking these simple precautions and using good judgment can help you arrive safely at your destination.  Happy Holidays!

The 2007 Charlotte Auto Show report ran this past Thursday through Sunday at the Charlotte Convention Center. The Car Chick, of course, was there. I spent 10 hours over two days crawling through every single 2008 model vehicle they had! And, my favorites were not at all what I expected.

The newly redesigned Honda Accord was exceptional, but this I expected. It’s essentially an Acura in terms of interior luxury and style. The Toyota Highlander was also very impressive with A+ comfort and usability. However, it was the Kia Amanti and the Ford Taurus X that left the biggest impressions. The Kia Amanti is truly a luxury sedan, with an interior that could easily be confused with a Lexus. The Taurus X fits a unique niche in the world of many-sized SUVs and crossovers. It has the ride height of a crossover (just higher than a sedan), but unlike other crossovers, it has 3rd row seating and good storage space. If you need a 7 passenger vehicle but don’t want a tank or a minivan, this is the one to buy!