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Women and Buying New And Certified Pre-owned Cars

by Lauren Fix, Your Life! Auto Editor

-- A car dealership can be an intimidating place for many of us, especially for women who have felt out-of-place. But that's changing.

With abundant information on prices and options available through the internet, women are more empowered. According to sales consultants, more women are doing research online and returning to dealerships knowing exactly what they want.

With women making 45 percent of vehicle purchases and influencing 80 percent of purchasing decisions, automakers are taking steps to lure more female car buyers. Manufacturers are training their dealers who are adding women to their sales staffs to give female buyers a better experience when looking for a car.

CHECKLIST (print this list and take it with you)

What You'll Need and When You'll Need It.
Before you even begin your search, print out this helpful checklist and you won't forget a thing.

Test -Drives: Cars and The Dealer

Ask for a test-drive that's customized for you:

-Test drive the model that you're thinking about buying

-Begin with a visual inspection of the exterior
-Inspect the interior for proper fit of components such as

arm rests to your body

-Be sure the safety belt feels comfortable.

-Make sure all interior controls are within easy reach.
-Gauges are clearly visible and easy to read
-Be certain that your feet comfortably reach the pedals
-The driver's seat should provide a good view of the road with proper back and thigh support -visibility is most important.
-Check for good pickup, smoothness of ride and the ability to handle bumps and curves
-Check the rearview mirror for tailgaters, then brake hard to get a feel for how the vehicle comes to a stop.
-Take the car out on the freeway, check acceleration from the entrance ramp to the high-speed lane
-Check the noise level at highway speeds.
-Drive some of the usual roads that you drive.
-Try parking the vehicle in a tight parking spot to get a feel for turning radius.

About the Author
Lauren Fix, the Car Coach®, is a nationally recognized TV Automotive Expert and is an authority on consumer issues such as: new and used cars and trucks, automotive car care, driving skills, repair and safety issues. She has appeared as a guest expert on Oprah, TODAY, The View, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, Inside Edition, The Early Show, NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, WB, UPN, The Weather Channel, ESPN, Discovery, Speed, B. Smith Style and National Public Radio. Lauren can be seen from coast-to-coast on local morning and mid-day programs.

Cell-Phone Safety

How to keep in touch - and stay safe on the road.

by Lauren Fix, Your Life! Auto Editor

Talking and driving seems to be here to stay. Everywhere you look people are multi-tasking and driving. When it comes to cell phones and driving, there are appropriate times -- and times where it's extremely risky to be a chatty Kathy (pardon the expression if you are a Kathy).

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that driver inattention contributes to half of all accidents - and cell phones are a major source of distraction, whether it's ordering a pizza on the way home or confirming evening plans while waiting at a traffic light or having a serious discussion. The are so many distractions in just driving itself that we forget that driving is the most important thing we are doing at this very second.

Cell phones are meant to be a convenience, not a bother for other drivers. These basic tips will help you stay on the right side of safety - and other drivers' tempers and avoid an accident

Talk off the road. The best time to use your phone to make schedule appointments is before you leave the parking lot. Of course, using a phone while sitting in traffic is acceptable (maybe even entertaining), but when traffic moves, be ready to move along with it. If your call is an emergency, then it should take place on the side of the road, this will keep you out of the stream of traffic. This will also allow you to write down details. Driving with your elbows is obviously not a smart choice.

Get wired. Many states require hands free equipment such as an ear bud or headset. This will allow you to have both hands on the wheel. Although some people use it as an excuse to multi-task in one more thing like drinking coffee or smoking. There are car-mounted cell chargers and that have built in microphones this maybe ideal for you. The latest phones from Jaguar, Mercedes, Acura and other manufacturers even have voice-activated dialing for supreme road safety.

Screen your calls. The freeway's no place for serious business conference calls that can get animated. Don't hold any meetings to fire an employee on the road, fight the latest battle in a custody war or dispute with your children. If you know a particularly annoying call is on the way, don't even answer from the road or find a safe place to pull over so you can focus on driving OR talking.

Work on your memory. Programming your phone might is a smart thing to do. You may have to read the owners manual, but that's why you have it. But it's worth taking your time to do it. Set your memory functions, and enter numbers you dial often. The fewer numbers you have to press, the more attention you devote to driving.

Hang up. Know when to let a call drop. You need all of your attention for the most hazardous of circumstances: when the pace picks up, or the conditions turn dangerous, end your conversation and set your sights on the road ahead.

Remember that getting there safely is more important than any call.

About the Author
Lauren Fix, the Car Coach®, is a nationally recognized TV Automotive Expert and is an authority on consumer issues such as: new and used cars and trucks, automotive car care, driving skills, repair and safety issues. She has appeared as a guest expert on Oprah, TODAY, The View, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, Inside Edition, The Early Show, NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, WB, UPN, The Weather Channel, ESPN, Discovery, Speed, B. Smith Style and National Public Radio. Lauren can be seen from coast-to-coast on local morning and mid-day programs.