The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

In this episode, The Car Chick discusses the alarming rise in car prices, exploring the reasons behind the lack of affordable vehicles in the U.S. market. She delves into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues, and the shift in automakers' priorities towards higher profit margins. The conversation also highlights the competitive advantages of Chinese automakers an

In this episode of The Straight Shift,The Car Chick discusses her Thanksgiving experiences and transitions into the topic of Black Friday car deals. She explains the current state of the automotive market, highlighting the inventory surplus and the best deals available for the end of the year.LeeAnn breaks down the types of incentives offered by manufacturers and emphasizes the imp

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick discusses her experiences at the 2024 Charlotte Auto Show, highlighting the decline of auto shows, the rise of electric vehicles, and her personal awards for the best and worst vehicles showcased. She provides insights into various car models, their features, and her critiques of design choices, particularly focusing on new offer

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick shares her personal story of adopting two kittens and seamlessly transitions into a discussion about the fascinating world of car sounds. She explains the physics behind why different engines produce unique sounds, the impact of engine configurations, and the role of exhaust systems. The episode also highlights the best and worst

So... we had an election last week. In this episode, I discuss the potential impacts of the second Trump administration on the automotive industry, focusing on consumer implications, regulatory changes, and the effects of tariffs. I highlight the importance of the CARS rule, the future of electric vehicles, and how tariffs could influence car prices and availability. I also show yo

We've got a great episode today! I am so excited to have my guest and longtime friend, Dr. Glenn Jaffe on the show. A couple of years ago, I did an episode dedicated to what it would be like to really live with an electric vehicle. At the time, we heard all the hype and everyone was really excited. However, at the time I recorded that episode, it was still a little more theoretical

I know in the last episode of The Straight Shift, I promised you guys we would be talking this week with a client of mine about his experience owning an electric vehicle and why he decided to go back to gas. However, we're going to have to push that to next week because at the time of this recording, we were recently hit with Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Here in Charleston, our im

Excited to give you an official welcome back to The Straight Shift, with me, LeeAnn Shattuck, also known as The Car Chick. If you’ve been listening to the show since it launched in 2017, thank you so much for sticking in there. If you’re new here, welcome! In this episode I’ll be sharing an update on why the show went on a hiatus, how it impacted my business as a whole and th

Do you hate car shopping? Do you feel like you're going to be taken advantage of the moment you set foot on a car lot? Or maybe you dread taking your car in for service because you're afraid they're going to try to sell you on a bunch of repairs that you may not even need. Well, knowledge is power. And that's what the Straight Shift podcast is all about. After a recent hiatus, the

In this second of three episodes of "The Straight Shift", The Car Chick talks all about the reality of owning an"electrified" vehicle - hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). What are the costs of owning an electric car? Are electric cars cheaper to maintain? The Car Chick addresses these common questions and more to help you decide if an electric (or electri