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The Car Chick Blog: Car Buying, Maintenance, Safety, and More!
Welcome to The Car Chick® blog, your one-stop shop for everything car-related! From car buying tips to maintenance hacks, safe driving advice, the latest automotive news, and a sprinkle of fun, we’ve got something for every car buyer and owner. Let’s rev up your knowledge and keep you cruising smoothly!
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100% Semiconductor Tariffs Could Drive U.S. Car Prices Even Higher
The U.S. automotive industry has been in a tariff-induced tailspin for months, thanks to a wave of import duties that have already cost automakers nearly $12 billion. Now, President Donald Trump has added a new twist: a proposed 100% tariff on imported semiconductors—the tiny but critical microchips that control everything from your power windows to your advanced driver assistance systems...

LeeAnn Shattuck
Aug 13


Tariff Tango Update, May 2025: The Circus Continues
Hold onto your lug nuts, folks — the international tariff rollercoaster just took another hairpin turn. After months of economic whiplash, finger-pointing, and price hikes, here’s what’s going down in the latest episode of Trade Wars: Auto Edition.

LeeAnn Shattuck
May 16


How to Save Money on Car Insurance in 2025
Car insurance. Just reading those two words probably made your eyes glaze over a little. But if you own a car, especially a newer one, you can’t afford not to pay attention. Most people don’t think much about insurance until something goes wrong — and then they’re left asking why their premiums are sky-high or their claim was denied. In a recent episode of The Straight Shift, I invited Jasmine Walker, owner of Brightway Insurance in Charlotte, NC, to help me break down what’

LeeAnn Shattuck
May 1


How Old is Too Old for a Used Car? A Practical Guide for Parents and Budget Car Buyers
When it comes to buying a used car—especially for a teenager or as a budget-friendly second vehicle—many people ask the same question: how old is too old? The answer, of course, depends on a variety of factors, including the car’s make and model, how it was maintained, where it’s lived, and how it’s been driven. But one thing is clear: age alone isn’t the whole story.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Mar 4


Car Data Privacy: Is Your Car Spying On You?
...We all know cars are getting smarter—but are they getting a little too smart for our own good? In this blog, we’re taking a deep dive into the world of modern car technology and asking a question most people haven’t even thought to ask: Is your car spying on you?

LeeAnn Shattuck
Feb 18


The Best Cars for Seniors
...Mobility, comfort, visibility, and ease of use are often more important than horsepower or infotainment systems. Some seniors are as active as ever—my neighbors put me to shame—but many face issues like arthritis, joint replacements, limited flexibility, diminished eyesight, and slower reaction times. Some use mobility aids like walkers or scooters, which adds another layer of complexity.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Jan 28


The Most Exciting New and Redesigned Car Models Arriving in 2025
One of the best parts of my job is keeping up with all the new cars, trucks, SUVs, and yes, even minivans hitting the market. It's like a never-ending auto show, and I love seeing where each brand is headed. Especially in this era of fast-paced change, the shifts in technology, consumer demand, and government regulation are rewriting the playbook. And with a wave of all-new and redesigned models coming for the 2025 and 2026 model years, there's a lot to unpack.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Jan 14


Will 2025 Be a Good Year to Buy Cars?
As we head into a new year, one of the most common questions I get is: Should I buy a car in 2025 or wait? It's a valid question, especially with all the noise circulating online about market crashes, crumbling inventory, and sky-high prices.
Let’s look beyond the clickbait and break down what’s really happening in the car market this year—and what it means if you’re planning to buy a new or used vehicle in 2025.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Jan 7


Why Don’t We Have Cheap Cars Anymore?
...The average new car price in the U.S. is now flirting with $50,000. And that figure doesn’t even include luxury exotics like Ferraris or Lamborghinis. We’re talking everyday vehicles—SUVs, trucks, sedans. Some mainstream models, like the GMC Yukon or Jeep Wagoneer, now start over $100,000 when fully loaded. That used to be the cost of a house!

LeeAnn Shattuck
Dec 10, 2024


The Car Chick's Review of the 2024 Charlotte International Auto Show
...Auto shows have long been a staple of the car enthusiast's world, and for me, they hold a special place in my heart. I’ve been going since I was a kid, often tagging along with my dad to the Chicago Auto Show. Now, decades later, I make it a point to attend the Charlotte International Auto Show in my hometown. But like many auto shows across the country, it’s been shrinking year after year.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Nov 26, 2024


What a Trump Victory Could Mean for Car Buyers and the Auto Industry
So... we had an election last week, and that means it's time for everyone's favorite game: speculating what the new administration might mean for various industries. In the case of the automotive world, that speculation matters more than you might think. Automakers and their suppliers make up the largest manufacturing sector in the U.S., accounting for a full 3% of our gross domestic product. That may not sound like a lot, but for a single industry, it’s a huge slice of the e

LeeAnn Shattuck
Nov 12, 2024


Living with a Rivian: One Man’s Real-World EV Experience
There’s a lot of hype around electric vehicles. But what’s it really like to live with one? I sat down with my longtime friend and Charlotte-based chiropractor, Dr. Glenn Jaffe, to find out exactly that. Glenn spent nearly a year driving a Rivian R1S—the futuristic, over-engineered electric SUV from one of the most intriguing startups in the auto world. If you’ve ever considered buying an EV—or maybe just want to know why some people are falling out of love with them—this i

LeeAnn Shattuck
Nov 5, 2024


How Hurricanes Helene and Milton Shook Up the Auto Industry
Hurricane Helene—and then her equally unwelcome cousin, Hurricane Milton—came barreling through the Southeast last week, hammering Western North Carolina and parts of Florida. Here in the Charlotte area, we were lucky. Some wind, some rain, but nothing like the devastation in the mountains. So this week, I want to talk about how these hurricanes are going to impact the automotive industry—beyond just the usual flood car warnings.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Oct 29, 2024


The Auto Industry in 2024: What the Heck Is Going On?
After years of chaos and confusion, the automotive industry is finally showing signs of recovery in 2024. From empty dealer lots and outrageous markups to a resurgence in inventory and incentives, a lot has changed. If you're in the market for a new or used car—or just trying to make sense of where things stand—this article will break down the current state of the auto industry and what it means for you as a car buyer.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Oct 22, 2024


Should You Buy a Car from an Online Dealership?
In the age of Amazon and DoorDash, it’s no surprise that the automotive world has followed suit. Online car dealerships promise a seamless, hassle-free experience—browse from your couch, get “no-haggle” pricing, and have the car delivered to your front door. Sounds perfect, right?
But when it comes to one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make, convenience shouldn’t replace caution. While buying a car online can be quick and easy, it also comes with risks you may not see

LeeAnn Shattuck
Sep 24, 2020


Getting Out of a Car Lease: What You Need to Know
Leasing a car can feel like a smart way to drive something new without a long-term commitment, but what happens when your situation changes—or your lease just isn’t working for you anymore? Whether you’ve gone over your mileage limit, need a different vehicle, or want to escape high monthly payments, here’s what you need to know about getting out of a lease without wrecking your wallet.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Sep 15, 2020


Should You Buy a New or Used Car? It’s Not as Obvious as You Think
Buying a car isn’t like grabbing a gallon of milk or picking your shoe size off the shelf. It’s a serious investment, and deciding between new or used? That’s where the real fun begins. (And by “fun,” we mean endless Googling, second-guessing, and probably a mild headache.)
Let’s get one thing straight—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer here.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Aug 14, 2020


7 Lies Car Salespeople Still Tell — And How to Outsmart Them
Let’s be honest—car dealerships have a reputation. And while many salespeople are perfectly professional and straight-forward, others have mastered the art of what one of my favorite clients brilliantly dubbed: bullshittery. It’s the perfect term for the smoke-and-mirrors tactics that get used to pressure you, confuse you, or flat-out trick you into making a deal you’ll regret before you hit your first red light.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Aug 14, 2020


5 Tips for Negotiating with a Clever Car Dealer
...Whether you’re planning to buy a new or used car, you can usually get a better deal by negotiating with the car salesperson. A little preparation beforehand can help up your bargaining power when you hit the dealership — or let you know when it’s time to walk away.

LeeAnn Shattuck
Aug 30, 2019

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