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The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

LeeAnn Shattuck, The Car Chick: Your Car Buying and Repair Expert

124 episodes

1 week ago

Summary In this final episode of 2025, The Car Chick® takes a more personal turn—sharing how recent firearms training led to a powerful realization about driving safety. This episode is not about politics or gun rights. It’s about responsibility, training, and what happens when we treat powerful tools too casually. From overwhelming choices and “gear over skill” thinking to why training matters more than gadgets, LeeAnn draws clear parallels between firearms safety and everyday driving. She c...

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Summary In this final episode of 2025, The Car Chick® takes a more personal turn—sharing how recent firearms training led to a powerful realization about driving safety. This episode is not about politics or gun rights. It’s about responsibility, training, and what happens when we treat powerful tools too casually. From overwhelming choices and “gear over skill” thinking to why training matters more than gadgets, LeeAnn draws clear parallels between firearms safety and everyday driving. She c...

Show more...

Episodes (20/124)

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Why Cars Are Like Guns — And Why That Should Change How You Drive

Summary In this final episode of 2025, The Car Chick® takes a more personal turn—sharing how recent firearms training led to a powerful realization about driving safety. This episode is not about politics or gun rights. It’s about responsibility, training, and what happens when we treat powerful tools too casually. From overwhelming choices and “gear over skill” thinking to why training matters more than gadgets, LeeAnn draws clear parallels between firearms safety and everyday driving. She c...

1 week ago

33 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

2025 Charlotte Auto Show: The Best, Worst, and WTF Cars You Need to Know About

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® shares her experiences and insights from the 2025 Charlotte International Auto Show. She discusses the latest vehicle redesigns from various manufacturers, highlighting the Nissan Armada and Murano, Toyota's Grand Highlander, 2026 Hyundai's Palisade, 2026 Subaru Crosstrek and 2026 Outback, and the 2026 Honda Passport. LeeAnn emphasizes the importance of usability testing for potential car buyers and shares her thoughts on the evolv...

3 weeks ago

36 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

How to Order a New Car (When the Dealer Says You Can’t)

Part 2 of the “How to Order a New Car” crossover with A Girl’s Guide to Cars SUMMARY This episode picks up where Part 1 of our crossover with Scotty Reiss left off. On her show, What Drives Her from A Girl’s Guide to Cars, we busted the myth of the “factory order” and why so many buyers are told they can’t custom-order their dream car and how dealer allocations actually control what gets built. Now, in Part 2 on The Straight Shift, LeeAnn Shattuck (The Car Chick®) takes the wheel with the tac...

1 month ago

32 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Forbidden Fruit: The Cool European Cars America Can’t Have (and Why)

Episode Summary Ever wandered through a European parking lot and thought, “Why don’t we get cars like that in America?” In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick, dives into the sleek, smart, and downright sexy European cars that U.S. drivers can’t buy — and all the bureaucratic, political, and marketing nonsense that keeps them off our roads. She covers everything from trade wars and tariffs to global platform sharing, brand confusion, and she reveals the legendary naming fail in ...

1 month ago

22 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road: My Wild UK Adventure

Summary In this episode, The Car Chick® shares her experiences driving in the UK, highlighting the challenges and joys of navigating on the left side of the road for the first time. She discusses her personal reflections on her trip, some unusual driving challenges and the politeness of British drivers. The conversation covers various aspects of driving culture, including roundabouts, road signs, and the beautiful scenery of the UK. The Car Chick also shares her visit to Stonehenge and her th...

2 months ago

32 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Classic Cars 101: What to Know Before You Buy Your Dream Ride

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® and Rudy Samsel, founder of Guys With Rides, delve into the world of classic cars, discussing the emotional and financial aspects of buying and restoring these vehicles. They explore what defines a classic car, key considerations for potential buyers, and the importance of documentation and condition. Rudy shares insights on where to find classic cars, underrated models, and cars to avoid. The conversation emphasizes the need for r...

2 months ago

32 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Transmission Impossible: How Your Car Really Works

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® delves into the often-overlooked topic of car transmissions. She explains the critical role transmissions play in vehicle performance, detailing the various types including manual, automatic, CVT, dual clutch, and electric vehicle systems. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding how each transmission works, their maintenance needs, and the potential issues that can arise. Listeners are equipped with knowledge to m...

3 months ago

28 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Confessions of a Rental Car Ninja: The Dos, Don’ts, and WTFs for Renting Cars

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® discusses her upcoming trip to the UK with her family, focusing on the challenges and excitement of renting a car abroad. She brings in special guest, and rental car ninja, Doug Hofer to get advice. The conversation delves into the nuances of rental car experiences, including tips for navigating the rental landscape, memorable car experiences, and the importance of understanding insurance and liability when renting a ve...

3 months ago

27 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

The Bucket List: Why Driving a Supercar on a Racetrack Should Be on Yours

Summary In this episode, The Car Chick® speaks with Adam Olalde, founder and CEO of Xtreme Xperience, about the exhilarating world of supercar driving experiences. They discuss the importance of bucket lists, the entrepreneurial journey of identifying market gaps, and the thrill of driving high-performance cars on racetracks. Adam shares insights on how Xtreme Xperience operates, the significance of car control, and the philosophy behind living life to the fullest. The conversation emphasizes...

4 months ago

35 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Fatal Mistakes: What Driver’s Ed Isn’t Teaching Teen Drivers (or Adults!)

Summary In this episode, The Car Chick® discusses the tragic incident involving a teen driver that resulted in multiple fatalities, highlighting the dangers of teen driving and the inadequacies of the current driver's education system. She emphasizes the need for better training and experience for young drivers, as well as the importance of modeling safe driving behavior as parents. The conversation also explores statistics related to teen driving accidents and offers solutions for improving ...

4 months ago

30 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Stay Cool and Save Money: Your Summer Guide to Car A/C Systems

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® dives into the world of car air conditioning, debunking common myths and explaining the science behind how A/C systems work. From the importance of maintenance to understanding the components of the A/C system, listeners gain valuable insights into keeping their vehicles cool during the summer months. The Car Chick® emphasizes the significance of proper care and maintenance, including checking the cabin air filter and understanding...

5 months ago

25 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

What Does 'Made in America' Mean for Cars in 2025?

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® explores the complexities of what 'Made in America' means in the automotive industry today. She delves into the history of American cars, the evolution of car culture, and the impact of globalization on car manufacturing. The discussion highlights how the definition of American-made cars has changed over the years, especially with the rise of foreign manufacturers producing vehicles in the U.S. The Car Chick® emphasizes the importa...

5 months ago

29 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

From Autopilot to I, Robot: The 6 Levels of Autonomous Driving Explained

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick® explores the current state and future of autonomous driving technology. She discusses the various levels of vehicle autonomy, from manual driving to fully autonomous systems, and emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal responsibilities that come with these advancements. The conversation delves into the implications of AI in driving, the challenges of regulatory environments, and the potential future of personal autonom...

6 months ago

32 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Riding with Ghosts: The Truth About RoboTaxis

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick explores the world of autonomous vehicles and robotaxis, discussing their origins in science fiction, the major players in the industry, the technology that powers them, and the challenges they face. The conversation delves into the safety concerns surrounding robotaxis, highlighting both humorous incidents and serious implications of their operation on public roads. LeeAnn also addresses the public's perception of robotaxis and the future ...

6 months ago

35 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

The Evolution of Car Safety Technologies

Summary: In this episode of The Straight Shift, LeeAnn Shattuck and automotive journalist Kendra Sommer delve into the evolution of car safety technologies, including airbags, seatbelts, and modern driver assistance systems. They discuss the importance of understanding crash test ratings, the significance of features like blind spot monitoring, and the emerging technologies that monitor driver behavior. The conversation emphasizes the need for awareness and responsibility among drivers, highl...

7 months ago

35 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

The Rise of Women-Only Rideshare Services

Summary: In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick discusses the critical issue of safety in rideshare services with Kimberly Evans, founder of Just Her Rideshare. They explore the alarming statistics surrounding assaults in rideshare, the necessity of a women-only rideshare service, and the unique vetting process that ensures safety for both drivers and riders. Kimberly shares her personal experiences and the challenges of building a women-centric transportation service, em...

7 months ago

30 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

How to Save Money on Car Insurance in 2025

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick© and special guest, insurance expert Jasmine Walker of Brightway Insurance, delve into the complexities of car insurance. They discuss the rising costs of insurance, the importance of understanding discounts, and strategies for saving money without sacrificing coverage. The conversation also covers the unique challenges faced by teen drivers and small business owners when it comes to insurance, as well as the significance of full di...

7 months ago

30 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Why Modern Car Paints Suck (and How to Keep Yours Looking Good Anyway!)

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick© and guest, Dr. Swirl Killer, discuss the decline in the quality of car paint, the challenges of the trendy matte paint finishes, and why GM black paint is the worst in the industry. They explore the differences between ceramic coatings and paint protection films, and emphasize the importance of protecting your vehicle's exterior. Finally, they explain why brush car washes are terrible for your paint, and they provide tips fo...

8 months ago

30 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

What Cars are Most and Least Affected by the 25% Tariffs?

Summary In this episode of The Straight Shift, LeeAnn Shattuck, The Car Chick©, discusses the recent implementation of a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and its implications for the automotive industry and consumers. She breaks down how these tariffs will affect car prices, which brands will be hit hardest, and the broader economic impact. The Car Chick© also shares her plans to keep listeners informed through a new newsletter and updates to her online course. Takeaways The new 25% tariffs on...

8 months ago

29 minutes

The Straight Shift with The Car Chick

Is the Cybertruck Really That Bad?

In this episode of The Straight Shift, The Car Chick provides a critical analysis of the Tesla Cybertruck, discussing its controversial design, material choices, practicality, safety concerns, and cost. The conversation highlights the vehicle's shortcomings and compares it to other electric trucks on the market, ultimately concluding that the Cybertruck is more of a gimmick than a functional vehicle. takeaways The Cybertruck’s aesthetic has been compared to a dumpster and a DeLorean.Stainless...

9 months ago

23 minutes