The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

LeeAnn Shattuck, The Car Chick: Your Car Buying and Repair Expert
  • 4.7 (27)
  • Automotive
  • Updated Semimonthly

The Straight Shift is a podcast that's about cars! Car buying, car selling, car maintenance and repairs, safe driving tips, and general car-related nonsense designed to empower consumers. Brought to you by The Car Chick, the #1 trusted automotive expert for women and smart men.  New episodes drop the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month!

  1. Jul 15

    The New Cold War: Why Your Car Is Caught in the Middle

    Episode Summary Could your car become a battlefield in the New Cold War? It sounds like the plot of a spy thriller, but it's actually one of the biggest stories quietly reshaping the automotive industry. This week, The Car Chick® connects the dots between several recent episodes—including vehicle data privacy, EV tax credits, tariffs, and "Made in America"—to reveal the much bigger picture behind the U.S. government's upcoming ban on certain Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles. You'll learn why China became a global automotive powerhouse, why companies like BYD are dominating worldwide despite never selling cars in the U.S., how connected vehicles have become a national security concern, and what the new 2027 Connected Vehicle Rule could mean for future vehicle availability, pricing, and the cars you may (or may not) be able to buy. This isn't politics. It's about understanding the forces behind today's increasingly unpredictable car market—and why they're likely to affect every car buyer over the next several years. In This Episode What the "New Cold War" really means—and why cars are now part of it How China built a massive advantage in batteries, semiconductors, and EV technology Why BYD has become one of the world's largest automakers despite having no U.S. dealerships How connected vehicles collect and transmit data Why the debate over connected cars is similar to the concerns surrounding TikTok What the 2027 Connected Vehicle Rule actually does Why Polestar is exiting the U.S. market while Volvo was allowed to stay Which automakers and models could be most affected How these changes may impact vehicle availability, pricing, and future model launches Why understanding what's happening behind the scenes makes today's automotive "bullshittery" make a lot more sense Resources Subscribe to The Straight Shift Newsletter for twice-monthly automotive news, market updates, and consumer advice: https://www.thecarchick.com You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.  Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick.  All rights reserved.

  2. Jul 1

    Will Your Next Car Be a Blank Slate?

    Electric vehicles were supposed to make cars more affordable. So why does the average EV now cost well over $50,000? Enter Slate Auto, a brand-new American startup that's taking a completely different approach. Their first vehicle is a bare-bones, highly customizable electric pickup that starts at just $24,950. No giant touchscreen. No built-in stereo. Even crank windows are back. But is Slate Auto really the future of affordable transportation...or just another EV startup that's destined to end up like Fisker? In this episode, The Car Chick® breaks down everything you need to know about Slate Auto, how its unique "Blank Slate" concept works, and—most importantly—the tough questions every potential buyer should be asking before putting down a deposit. In this episode: Why new cars and EVs have become so expensive The story behind Slate Auto and its founders How the Blank Slate platform works Service, maintenance, and Right to Repair Warranty coverage Could Slate become the next Fisker...or the next success story? Whether you're excited about affordable EVs or just curious what all the buzz is about, this episode goes beyond the marketing hype to answer the questions nobody else seems to be asking. Resources & Links: 🚗 Slate Auto: https://www.slate.auto/ Connect with The Car Chick Website: https://www.TheCarChick.com You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.  Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick.  All rights reserved.

  3. Jun 17

    The FTC Is Finally Cracking Down on Dealer Pricing Bullshittery

    Think hidden fees, fake discounts, rebate games, mandatory add-ons, and vehicles advertised at prices you can't actually get are just part of buying a car? The FTC doesn't think so. In this episode, The Car Chick® breaks down the six dealership advertising and pricing practices the FTC says may violate federal consumer protection laws. But before we get into the legal stuff, I share a real-life dealership fiasco that happened while shopping for a military family's Ford Transit van — a deal that took three days to put together before it completely blew up over a discount that apparently didn't apply. We'll cover: The six pricing and advertising practices the FTC is targetingHidden fees, fake discounts, rebate stacking, and financing gamesWhy dealer add-on packages may be the next battlegroundWhat the FTC Act actually saysWhy the CARS Rule was overturnedWhy the FTC isn't handing out $53,088 fines left and rightHow dealership pricing transparency is improving — and where the bullshittery has migratedWhat consumers should look for before signing on the dotted line5 Things to Watch for When Car Shopping Right Now Get an out-the-door quote in writing.Do your homework on rebates, financing requirements, and add-ons.Verify the vehicle is actually available.Don't assume "transparent pricing" means "best price."If a deal looks dramatically better than every other similar vehicle, get suspicious before you get excited.Resources FTC Consumer Complaint Center: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ Stay Connected Sign up for The Straight Shift newsletter and get consumer-focused automotive news, car buying tips, and industry updates delivered straight to your inbox: www.TheCarChick.com You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.  Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick.  All rights reserved.

  4. Jun 3

    How Global Chaos Ends Up in Your Driveway

    Summary After a three-month hiatus, The Car Chick® is back — and apparently while she was gone, the global economy decided to completely lose its damn mind. In this comeback episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick breaks down how conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, rising oil prices, tariffs, petrochemicals, EVs, and global supply-chain chaos are affecting far more than just what you pay at the gas pump. Because modern cars aren’t just vehicles anymore — they’re giant rolling international group projects held together with wiring, software, synthetic rubber, plastics, petrochemicals, and a concerning amount of global instability. This Episode Covers why gas prices jumped nearly 60% in less than 3 monthswhat the Strait of Hormuz actually iswhy your car is literally made from oilwhy repair bills and insurance rates keep climbingwhy EVs aren’t immune from global manufacturing chaosbamboo dashboards, recycled fishing nets, and sustainable car materialswhy everything in the modern economy is more interconnected than most people realizeAlso: there’s Yoda, there’s automotive bullshittery, and there’s a challenge to start looking at the bigger picture. Subscribe to The Straight Shift Newsletter at https://www.thecarchick.com for automotive market trends, pricing analysis, tariff updates, car care tips, and consumer-focused advice that translates industry chaos into plain English. Mentioned in This Episode Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes BackYodaBMWFordVolvoMercedes-BenzHyundaiKiaMark RoberTeamSeas You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.  Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick.  All rights reserved.

  5. Mar 18

    Life Update + The Straight Shift Podcast Pause

    We're pumping the brakes on The Straight Shift podcast for a little while, but that doesn't mean you can't still receive important automotive industry updates! Visit my website to sign up for The Straight Shift Newsletter and keep driving safely! https://www.thecarchick.com/ You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.  Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick.  All rights reserved.

  6. Mar 4

    Your Car Is Becoming a Subscription — What You Need to Know Before You Buy

    SUMMARY Cars are no longer just mechanical machines — they are rolling software platforms. In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® breaks down the growing trend of subscription-based car features and what it actually means for consumers. From life-saving systems like OnStar and connected services such as Subaru STARLINK and Hyundai BlueLink, to hands-free driving tech like Super Cruise and BlueCruise, we separate the subscriptions that make sense from the ones that feel like a toll booth for your tushy. You’ll learn: How telematics systems actually workWhy emergency services like OnStar have handled tens of thousands of real dispatchesHow Tesla normalized pay-to-unlock EV featuresWhat happened with Toyota’s remote start confusionWhy BMW’s heated seat subscriptions sparked backlashWhat questions you MUST ask before signing a car contractIf you’re financing a vehicle for five to seven years, you need to understand what could stop working in year three. This episode will help you avoid surprises — and the bullshittery. TAKEAWAYS Modern vehicles are software-defined and can enable or disable features remotely.Emergency systems like OnStar have handled nearly 40,000 emergency dispatches in a single year.Tesla normalized over-the-air performance unlocks in EVs.Some manufacturers have experimented with charging for features already physically installed in the vehicle.Consumer backlash has influenced companies to reconsider subscription strategies.Subscription fatigue is entering the automotive world.Buyers must understand what features expire after trial periods.Asking the right questions before purchase prevents expensive surprises later.RESOURCES https://DrivingInTheUK.com/ You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.  Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick.  All rights reserved.

  7. Feb 18

    LEASE-END LIES: How to Get the Equity Out of Your Leased Car

    Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® discusses the intricacies of car leasing, particularly focusing on what to do at the end of a lease. She shares a real-life example of helping a client navigate lease end options, emphasizing the importance of understanding positive equity and the often-misleading information from leasing companies. The conversation covers the impact of market dynamics on leasing, the importance of transparency when dealing with dealerships, and practical steps for maximizing equity at lease end. The episode aims to empower listeners with knowledge to make informed decisions about their leased vehicles. Takeaways Leasing companies do not disclose positive equity options.Market value can exceed the residual value, creating equity.Pandemic changes have altered how leases are handled.Transparency with dealers can lead to better offers.Documenting your car's condition is crucial for negotiations.Researching market value helps in understanding equity.Bidding wars among dealers can maximize your return.Resources  CarBuyingCourse.com TheCarChick.com You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.  Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick.  All rights reserved.

  8. Feb 4

    Do You Really Need AWD? The Winter Driving Myth Most Car Buyers Believe

    Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® discusses the importance of understanding different drivetrains, particularly in the context of winter driving. She reflects on the recent winter storms in the Carolinas and addresses common misconceptions about all-wheel drive vehicles. The conversation covers the differences between rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive, emphasizing the significance of tires and driving skills in snowy conditions. The episode concludes with advice on making informed decisions about vehicle purchases based on individual driving needs. Takeaways Many people overestimate their need for all-wheel drive.Understanding the differences in drivetrains is crucial for safety.All-wheel drive does not improve braking on slippery surfaces.Tires play a significant role in winter driving performance.Four-wheel drive offers more control than all-wheel drive in certain conditions.All-wheel drive systems can be expensive to maintain and replace tires.Resources: Snow Day Driving Fun video:  https://youtu.be/ibOHd-BxS0Q?si=PZb7UgsjUY6ks7vn Matt’s Off-Road Recovery YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MattsOffRoadRecovery You can view a full list of resources and episode transcripts here.  Connect with LeeAnn: WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeWork with LeeAnn: Course: The No BS Guide to Buying a CarCar Buying ServiceCopyright ©2024 Women’s Automotive Solutions Inc., dba The Car Chick.  All rights reserved.

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About

The Straight Shift is a podcast that's about cars! Car buying, car selling, car maintenance and repairs, safe driving tips, and general car-related nonsense designed to empower consumers. Brought to you by The Car Chick, the #1 trusted automotive expert for women and smart men.  New episodes drop the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month!

Information

  • Creator
    LeeAnn Shattuck, The Car Chick: Your Car Buying and Repair Expert
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Women's Automotive Solutions, Inc. DBA The Car Chick. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Straight Shift with The Car Chick