Charlotte, NC – Mark Norton of Charlotte, North Carolina has joined Women’s Automotive Solutions as a licensed, independent consultant – a.k.a. a “car chick”.

Women’s Automotive Solutions is a unique car buying service dedicated to helping women through the entire car selection and buying process, enabling them to save hundreds to thousands of dollars on a new or pre-owned vehicle without the frustrations the come with traditional car shopping.

Mark decided that he wanted to become a part of Women’s Automotive Solutions after seeing the company’s logo-wrapped Mini Cooper in a local bookstore parking lot. “I was intrigued by the hot pink and green branding and impressed with the unique business concept. I know so many women who hate car shopping.” Mark was surprised to learn that 60% of Women’s Automotive clients are men.

Entrepreneur and automotive expert, Michelle Lundy, founded Women’s Automotive Solutions in 2004 after observing thousands of smart, successful women shy away from the car buying process. Together with her partner, LeeAnn Shattuck, Lundy has taken Women’s Automotive Solutions from a kitchen table idea to a national consulting firm with consultants in five states, coast to coast.

Mark is the fifth independent consultant to join the Women’s Automotive Solutions team. The company also has offices in South Carolina, Colorado, Washington and California and serves clients in all 50 states.

Visit http://www.WomensAutomotiveSolutions.com to learn more.

If you think the new “Cash for Clunkers” program is going to help you buy a new car, think again.  Our government’s latest, misguided attempt at saving the environment and boosting the economy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

What is the “Cash for Clunkers” Program?
 
Cash for Clunkers, officially known as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), is a federal program passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama will provide a voucher worth up to $4,500 to consumers trading in an old gas guzzler for new, more fuel efficient vehicle.  The program is effective beginning July 1, 2009 and ending on November 1, 2009 (or when the funding runs out, whichever comes first).

Sounds pretty good, huh?  Well… maybe not.  The government vouchers for $3,500 or $4,500 are in replacement of — not in addition to — the ordinary trade-in value of the vehicle.  If your trade is worth more than $4,500, forget it.  If your trade is worth less than the voucher, then the program might benefit you.  But, it’s only good for purchasing a new car, not a used one.  Purchasing a good, used car will likely save you more money overall than buying a new car with the voucher.

What’s the Catch?

Your trade must also be drivable, must have been made in 1984 or later, owned, insured and operated by you for one year, and must get 18 mpg or less city/highway combined.  The trade vehicle must be crushed, not resold.  (The idea is to get them off the road) If that’s not enough restrictions for you, there’s more!  You must purchase a new vehicle with a sticker price of $45,000 or less.  If you buy a new passenger car, it must get at least 4 mpg MORE than your trade vehicle.  If you buy a new SUV, minivan or small truck, it must get at least 2 mpg more than your trade.  (Larger trucks have different requirements and restrictions.)  Only one voucher is allowed per person.  Confused yet?  Visit the government’s website (www.cars.gov) or call a Women’s Automotive Solutions consultant for more information.

Who could benefit from this program?

Critics of this program (myself included) argue that this program won’t benefit most consumers. It doesn’t apply to used car purchases, and most people who drive “clunkers” do so because they can’t afford a brand new car in the first place.  However, there are a few folks who could take advantage of it:

1.  People who buy a new vehicle once in a blue moon, drive it until it almost dies, and then buy a new one again.
2.  Students or young professionals driving an old, college clunker who now have a good job and are ready to buy their first, new car.
3.  Parents who bought their teenager a piece of junk and now want a shiny new car for themselves.

The good news is that the voucher is in addition to (not in lieu of) any dealer incentives and rebates available on the new vehicle.   If you are thinking about taking advantage of this program, contact a Women’s Automotive Solutions consultant to see if you qualify and if the program is right for you.  Even if it’s not, Women’s Automotive Solutions will get you the best possible deal no matter what vehicle you buy – or what you trade in.

Kia is known for producing inexpensive cars with long warranties. That has been the basis of their success in the United States for 15 years. Producing exciting cars has not. Until now. Enter the 2010 Kia Soul, a fun, four-door boxy hatchback that is clearly designed to compete with the slightly larger Scion xB.

Taking a complete 180 from its traditional boring style, Kia makes the funky new Soul in wacky colors such as Java, Molten and Alien. Interiors are available in two-tone, houndstooth and even glow-in-the-dark upholstery. The interior space is quite impressive, given the Soul’s overall small size. High-mounted seats and a tall roofline offer even tall passengers sufficient head and legroom. Cargo room is significantly less than its Japanese competitors, but the Soul’s boxy shape can still haul reasonably large items.

The 2010 Kia Soul is available in four ridiculously named trim levels – Base, +, ! and Sport. The base model comes decently equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, rear drum brakes, air-conditioning, full power accessories, tilt steering, a 60/40-split rear seat and a four-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, USB and auxiliary audio jacks. The Soul + has a larger engine, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, cruise control, keyless entry, tinted rear windows, a height-adjustable driver seat, Bluetooth, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The Soul ! adds 18-inch wheels and two-tone upholstery. The top level Soul Sport has an upgraded audio system, a sport-tuned suspension, red-black two-tone interior and special exterior trim. A sunroof is optional on the ! and the Sport. Standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags.

The quirky Soul is equally fun to drive, staying reasonably tight and planted in the corners. The ride is comfortable at “tooling around town” speeds, but can get a bit choppy on the highway. The based Soul offers a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 122 horsepower and 115 pound-feet of torque. The +, ! and Sport trim levels get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 142 hp and 137 lb-ft of torque. The base model is available only in a five-speed manual, but the upgraded trims offer a four-speed automatic. The 5-speed manual Soul Sport reportedly goes from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. Not too shabby for a lunch box on wheels.

(Photo courtesy of Kia Motors.)

Redesigned for 2009, the Subaru Forester has become more like an SUV, but it still retains much of the charm of the old, beloved wagon.  Still based on the same platform as the compct Impreza, the 2009 Forester has a slightly longer wheelbase, is an inch taller, and has more ground clearance than last year’s model.  It still has its car-like handling, but with more legroom and cargo space.

The new Forester is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged version is also available that puts out 224 hp and 226 lb-ft of torque.  Most Foresters come with an automatic transmission, but some trims are available with a 5-speed manual.   The Forester comes standard with Subaru’s famous AWD, and it gets an estimated 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway (19 city/24 highway for the turbo).  The Forester also keeps your family safe with standard antilock brakes with brake assist, traction/stability control, front seat side airbags as well as front and rear side curtain airbags.

The 2009 Subaru Forester is available in five trim levels: 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X Limited, 2.5XT and 2.5XT Limited. The base 2.5X is comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, cruise control, power windows/locks and a four-speaker CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack. The Premium package adds 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a power sunroof and a reclining rear seatback.  The 2.5XT model gives you 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof and rear spoiler, fog lights, roof rails, a telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, reclining rear seats and a six-speaker / six-CD audio system. The 2.5XT Limited adds heated mirrors, automatic climate control, a power driver seat, heated front seats, and full leather.  A navigation system is optional on both Limited models.

The improvements to the Subaru Forester earned it the 2009 Motor Trend SUV of the Year award.  Combine that with Subaru’s solid reliability history and commitment to “green” manufacturing practices, and you have truly a unique and special family vehicle.

Fort Mill, SC–Women’s Automotive Solutions, a national automotive consulting firm and car buying service, opened their new corporate headquarters in the vibrant, residential-commercial community of Baxter Village in Fort Mill, SC.

Owners and “car chicks”, Michelle Lundy and LeeAnn Shattuck, moved from Charlotte, NC to Fort Mill, SC for its charm and lower tax rates.  This tax savings helps Women’s Automotive Solutions offer low-cost automotive consulting services to their clients and licensees nationwide. 

Women’s Automotive Solutions is a totally unique car buying service.  It helps women find and buy the car they want while saving hundreds to thousands of dollars.  The company saves women valuable time and takes the hassle out of buying both new and used cars.  Interesting, half of their clients are men!

The company’s new address is 1701 First Baxter Xing., Suite 201, Fort Mill, SC 29708.  The telephone number, 704-248-8706, and website http://www.WomensAutomotiveSolutions remain the same.