Women Buying Cars | How to buy a car as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

Meredith Reynolds
  • 5.0 (20)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Car-buying tips for women from a woman. Meredith was a teacher and now co-owns a used car dealership in Kansas City with her husband. She uses her love for teaching to help women navigate the car-buying process. Let her empower you to buy a car with confidence. 

  1. MAR 3

    What NOT to Say at the Dealership

    Text me your episode idea or comment! Don’t Tell the Dealer Your Monthly Payment: Negotiate the Out-the-Door Price Host Meredith Reynolds of the Women Buying Cars podcast explains the one thing not to tell a car salesperson: your desired monthly payment, because dealers can hit that number by extending the loan term, increasing total interest, manipulating trade-in value, or even raising the interest rate. She advises focusing instead on negotiating the out-the-door price with itemized fees, researching fair pricing using sources like Edmonds and CarGurus (not Kelley Blue Book in Kansas City), and negotiating trade-in value separately. Meredith recommends using payment calculators ahead of time, choosing the shortest loan term you can afford (ideally not over five years), asking to see total interest over the life of the loan and any early payoff penalties, and getting pre-approved financing from your own bank. She also highlights the 2024 Buick Envista as a compact crossover with strong safety features and good fuel economy. 00:00 Dealership Info Trap 01:01 Stop Sharing Payments 02:26 Negotiate Out The Door 02:56 Research Real Pricing 04:07 Calculator Before You Go 04:55 Watch For Add Ons 05:45 Trade In Separately 07:34 Favorite Car Buick 10:13 Loan Term Dangers 12:21 Rate Markup Games 14:25 Pre Approval Strategy 15:33 Recap And Closing Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.com www.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.instagram.com/women_buying_cars

    18 min

  2. FEB 16

    Tire Care

    Text me your episode idea or comment! Make Your Tires Last Longer with the PETRA Method (Pressure, Tread, Rotation, Alignment)  Meredith explains how to extend tire life using her PETRA acronym: Pressure, Tread, Rotation, and Alignment. She covers how to find and check correct tire pressure (PSI), what the legal minimum for tire tread is and how to check it, and why tires need rotating. balancing, and alignment. The episode includes a “Cars I Love” segment highlighting the Mazda CX-5 as a sporty two-row SUV comparable in size to the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. 00:00 Why Tires Wear Out (and How Petra Will Save You Money) 00:31 Meet Meredith + What PETRA Stands For 01:51 P = Pressure: TPMS Lights, PSI, and Finding the Right Number 04:47 Seasonal Pressure Changes: Winter Drop, Summer Overinflation 07:00 T = Tread: Legal Limits, Penny Test, and Wear Bars 08:51 Tire Age Matters: Reading the DOT Date Code 10:44 Cars I Love: Mazda CX-5 Quick Review 13:04 R = Rotation & Balance: When to Do It and Why It Helps 14:27 A = Alignment: Signs You’re Off + Pothole Damage 15:22 Spare Tires vs Run-Flats: Don’t Get Caught Unprepared 16:39 PETRA Recap + Final Tips, Reviews, and Sign-Off Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.com www.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.instagram.com/women_buying_cars

    18 min

  3. JAN 24

    8 Things to Check DURING the Test Drive

    Text me your episode idea or comment! Essential Tips for a Successful Car Test Drive Meredith Reynolds, a former teacher turned used car dealer, shares her expert advice on the key elements to look for during a test drive. She emphasizes the importance of never skipping a test drive and outlines eight crucial aspects to pay attention to. Meredith also discusses her experiences as a woman in the car dealership industry and reviews the features of the Subaru Ascent, a three-row SUV. The episode aims to empower women to confidently navigate car purchases and ensure they make informed decisions during test drives. 00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Test Drives 00:38 Host Introduction and Personal Stories 03:21 Pre-Test Drive Tips Recap 03:35 Test Drive Tips: What to Look For 09:40 Car Spotlight: Subaru Ascent 12:32 Final Test Drive Tips and Conclusion #carshopping #usedcar #subaru #womeninsales #womencardealer #kansascity #kc #howtobuyacar Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.com www.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.instagram.com/women_buying_cars

    16 min

  4. JAN 10

    10 Things to Check Before the Test Drive

    Text me your episode idea or comment! 10 Essential Tips for Women Before Test Driving a Car In this episode of 'Women Buying Cars,' host Meredith Reynolds, a former teacher turned used car dealer, shares 10 crucial things to look out for before taking a car for a test drive. Meredith emphasizes the importance of inspecting the car's exterior for imperfections, checking tire tread using a penny, and ensuring the battery is not older than four years. She also advises evaluating comfort, visibility, and functionality of controls and features such as radios, windows, and seat adjustability. Meredith discusses considerations like ease of entry and the importance of checking for any warning lights or unpleasant odors. Additionally, she introduces a segment about cars she loves, highlighting the Kia Telluride for its aesthetics, functionality, and luxury at a reasonable price. As season two kicks off, Meredith encourages listeners to make and stick to their resolutions, sharing her own experience with avoiding doomscrolling. Tune in for these valuable tips and more to empower yourself in the car buying process. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 01:15 New Year's Resolutions and Personal Insights 04:07 Pre-Test Drive Checklist Overview 04:33 Inspecting the Car Exterior 06:23 Checking the Tires 07:04 Under the Hood Inspection 07:32 Interior Comfort and Visibility 10:03 Special Segment: Cars I Love - Kia Telluride 13:38 Testing Car Features and Electronics 16:13 Ease of Access and Warning Lights 18:09 Final Checks and Conclusion Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.com www.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.instagram.com/women_buying_cars

    19 min

  5. 10/10/2025

    Cars for Teens

    Text me your episode idea or comment! Choosing the Best Car for Your Teen Driver: Practical and Safe Options In this episode of Women Buying Cars, Meredith Reynolds, co-owner of Reynolds Automotive, provides comprehensive advice for parents looking to purchase a car for their teenage drivers. Topics covered include the importance of safety, practicality, and affordability when selecting a vehicle. Meredith discusses the risks associated with teenage driving due to inexperience and incomplete brain development, which heightens the likelihood of accidents. She also warns against choosing tiny cars, sports cars, muscle cars, and large SUVs, advising instead on mid-sized cars or small SUVs. Key recommendations include specific models from Subaru, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, and Kia. Meredith emphasizes checking safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and opting for vehicles with modern safety features like forward collision warning and anti-lock brakes. Practical tips on balancing luxury features versus safety in different car models are also provided. The episode concludes with a call for parents to make informed and cautious decisions while preparing their kids for the road. 00:00 Introduction: Preparing for Your Teen's First Car 01:08 Understanding Teen Driving Challenges 01:52 Key Factors in Choosing a Teen's Car 06:42 Safety Features to Look For 08:12 Cars to Avoid for Teen Drivers 15:00 Recommended Cars for Teens 19:07 Luxury vs. Safety: Making the Right Choice 21:11 Conclusion: Recap and Final Advice Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.com www.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.instagram.com/women_buying_cars

    22 min

  6. 09/19/2025

    Lowball Offers

    Text me your episode idea or comment! Lowball Offers and Understanding Start-Stop Technology In this episode of Women Buying Cars, host Meredith Reynolds from Reynolds Automotive discusses the strategy behind making lowball offers on used cars. She outlines the primary reasons for these offers, and emphasizes the importance of being informed about market prices to be taken seriously by dealers. Additionally, Meredith introduces the 'What Does This Button Do?' segment, explaining the start-stop technology and its benefits. Drawing from personal experiences, she advises against shopping outside one's budget to avoid poor financial decisions. The episode aims to empower listeners with knowledge for confident car buying decisions. It answers questions like, "Should I make a lowball offer on a car?" 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 00:43 Understanding Low Ball Offers 00:55 Reasons for Low Ball Offers 01:19 Making a Low Ball Offer to Save Money 01:50 Researching Car Prices 04:21 What Does This Button Do? 07:57 Back to Low Ball Offers 08:25 Shopping Within Your Budget 10:32 Personal Anecdote on Budgeting 14:32 Recap and Final Advice 15:34 Closing Remarks Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.com www.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.instagram.com/women_buying_cars

    16 min

  7. 09/04/2025

    Please Pay Your Car Insurance

    Text me your episode idea or comment! Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.com www.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.instagram.com/women_buying_cars

    14 min

  8. 08/21/2025

    Safest Car Brands

    Text me your episode idea or comment! Top Safest Cars for Women: Insights from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety In this episode of 'Women Buying Cars,' host Meredith Reynolds delves into car safety, a top priority for women shoppers. Reynolds, a former teacher turned used car dealer, emphasizes the importance of keeping families safe on the road. Drawing on data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) from 2015, 2020, and 2025, she highlights standout brands such as Subaru, Volvo, Mazda, and others. She discusses the advancements in car safety technology over the past decade and the significance of features like blind spot monitors and adaptive cruise control. The episode encourages listeners to empower themselves with knowledge and confidence when purchasing vehicles. 00:00 Introduction: Women and Car Safety 00:36 Meet Your Host: Meredith Reynolds 01:04 Gratitude to Listeners 02:22 Episode Frequency and Personal Updates 03:12 Top Safe Car Brands: An Overview 05:07 The Evolution of Car Safety Features 09:57 Safe Car Brands: Detailed Analysis 16:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.com www.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKC www.instagram.com/women_buying_cars

    18 min
See All (22)

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Car-buying tips for women from a woman. Meredith was a teacher and now co-owns a used car dealership in Kansas City with her husband. She uses her love for teaching to help women navigate the car-buying process. Let her empower you to buy a car with confidence. 

Information

You Might Also Like