September 3, 2008
A study recently released by Johnson Controls says women want cars with interiors that look good, have the latest gadgets and provide ample space for their stuff. Go figure!
The study was done by interviewing women throughout Chicago, Boston, Germany and the Czech Republic (a rather curious sample). While many of the results fall into the "no kidding" category, it's interesting to note that concerns for security and a desire to re-create the feeling of home seem to be emphasized. Here are some key findings:
Connectivity: Women of all ages depend on the most recent technology to feel more connected to their family and friends. "For women, technology is more than gadgetry -- it offers them the safety, security and convenience."
Storage space: The women studied said they create their own storage areas because "their vehicles (across most segments) failed to provide them with adequate space." They also noted a preference for reconfigurable storage compartments.
Style: The study revealed that "women long for greater style in their vehicles and miss the excitement of driving more 'fun, non-mom' vehicles."
Environmentally friendly: Women are looking for ways to be environmentally friendly, provided it's convenient and budget-sensitive.
Also of note, some women said they use their commute "as a way to take a break and relax." Participants also said they keep many personal items in their cars because "it created a feeling of being at home."
I tend to take gender-specific research with a grain of salt. After all, not many people - male or female -- would say they want an ugly or unsafe car. I don't particularly agree with all of these findings, but then again, as an automotive enthusiast, I'm not the typical woman, either.
What do you think? Does this study hit the mark?
Laura Burstein, Automotive Editor
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- Laura Burstein September 3, 2008, 11:30 AM
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August 6, 2008
One of the great things about cars is that it can bring people with common (and not so common ) interests together. And surprisingly often, those people don't fit the stereotype of the typical car enthusiast. One such example is the
Mini Skirts, a mostly girls Mini rally group based in Southern California.
"Chief" Mini Skirt Victoria Hanseroth, who used to work at a Mini dealership in North Hollywood, got the idea for a female-centric car club in 2006 while on an organized drive from Santa Barbara to Las Vegas. Since then, she's created a social network for women with Minis and other female car enthusiasts who don't find it easy to meet kindred spirits. The group does various planned drives and social events, some of which support charitable organizations.
Perhaps one of the most interesting things about the Mini Skirts is this: Hanseroth believes these events have not only made the participants better drivers, but better car shoppers.
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- Laura Burstein August 6, 2008, 12:01 PM
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- car buying, car clubs, Car Maintenance, car shopping, driver education, Mini
July 23, 2008
We probably all have horror stories about being taken advantage of at a dealership service department. While some car repairs should be left to the professionals, the fact of the matter is, it's often easier to do something yourself than you might think.
Case in point: An overly zealous valet broke the window switch on my 2001 BMW 325Ci. I called around for repair estimates, and was quoted anywhere from $140 to more than $200 to fix it (one Los Angeles-area dealership wanted $145 just to "diagnose" the problem -- parts and labor were extra). The service advisers all left me with the impression that it was quite a laborious job, because "you can't just pop the window switch off and install a new one, you have to take off the entire center console."
Instead of blindly believing their stories, I did some research online with the help of a friend to see just how difficult it would be to install the switch myself. Lo and behold, I found a priceless resource of how-to info for my car that seems to have been put together by one or more enthusiasts who just like working on their cars (the site is an unofficial collection of information and is not associated with the manufacturer).
Turns out the job was as simple as popping off the shifter boot, removing four screws, lifting up the loose section of console and unplugging the old switch. And the entire console did not have to come off, contrary to what I'd been told.
As for the part, I found it online from a few different places for about 50 bucks.
Installation was a snap, and thanks to careful research, I was able to replace the switch in about 15 minutes. And it cost me only a fraction of what the dealer would have charged -- never mind the time I would have been without my car.
Of course, these circumstances were all specific to my car, but you'd be surprised what kind of information you can find -- and how much time and money you can save -- with just a little digging.
Laura Burstein, Automotive Editor
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- Laura Burstein July 23, 2008, 3:53 PM
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- Car Maintenance, The Driving Woman Categories
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- BMW 325Ci, Car Mintenance, Car Repairs, DIY, Do-It-Yourself
