CLOSING OUT 2011: THUMBZ UP OR THUMBZ DOWN!

Written by: Sindi Wasserberg Lash

I love carz. I love to drive 'em. I love to look at 'em. I love to feel 'em. But I don't love all carz.

Here's my love lizt for 2011:

1) Hyundai Genesis

2) Ford Edge

3) Chevy Cruz

4) Chevy Camaro

5) Volkswagen - whole line-up!


6) Jeep Wrangler

7) Jeep Grand Cherokee

8) Audi - whole line-up except A3


9) Acura RDX & MDX

10) BMW - whole line-up


11) Lexus - whole line-up


12) Cadillac CTS

13) Dodge Challenger (Love the pink for CHIX)

14) Fiat 500 Abarth

15) Infinity G37

16) Mercedes Benz E Class

17) Mazda 3

18) Jaguar XK Series

19) Porsche - Love 'em all!


20) Mini Cooper Convertible/Mini Cooper Countryman

21) Land Rover - Range Rover Evoque

22) Tesla Roadster Model S

23) Volvo C70 Convertible

Here's my dislike list (i do not condone the use of the word "hate" when referring to carz AND no photos will be shown for carz I dislike):

1) Chrysler - whole  line-up

2) Buick - whole line-up

3) Cadillac Escalade (overrated)

4) Chrysler Town & Country

5) Honda Element

6) Nissan Quest

7) Lincoln - whole line-up

8) Mercedes Benz GLK & G Class

9) Mercury - whole line-up

10) Mitsubishi - whole line-up ( I used to be a big fan)

11) Scion - whole line-up

12) Toyota Matrix

13) Suzuki - whole line-up

14) Acura sedans (what did they do to the styling? used to love 'em)

15) Audi A3

16) Chevy Aveo

17) Dodge Caliber

18) Jeep Compass

I'VE BEEN "JUKED"! Review of the 2012 Nissan Juke

Written by: Sindi Wasserberg Lash


Although the Nissan Juke was introduced last year, I've only seen one on the road. It was at that moment (I did a double-take) I decided I must check out this most unusual and funky looking vehicle. I wondered why Nissan would take a chance by producing a vehicle that looks like a frog not long after it produced a cube.

I've been a fan of Nissan for many years, once owning an '85 Maxima and a '99 Infinity (luxury division of Nissan) QX4. Never had problems with either of those vehicles and enjoyed driving them. I even admire the Altima: its' good looks and all that it has to offer.

I drove to CONNELL NISSAN in Costa Mesa and was greeted by Willy Lopez. My first question to Willy was, "why are all the Jukes hidden in the back, how are you supposed to sell these?". To which he replied, "someone was supposed to bring one up front today, but I did sell one last night". My guess is Nissan is pushing LEAF (electric vehicle) sales. There were three, front and center.

At first glance, I couldn't help but notice the big, round bulging headlights, which obviously gave the Juke its' nickname, Frog. The eye-catching vertical rear door handles also add to the line-up of unusual features. But since I come from the school of thought where you don't judge a book by its' cover, I felt it only fair that I get to know this most unique looking vehicle.

The Juke is a combination of a compact crossover SUV and a sports car. And I use the term sports car very loosely because if you base it on pure looks, then I'll lean more towards the crossover. I'll give it some sports car kudos based on the 1.6L, 188hp, 16-valve turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It comes in 3 models, the "S", the "SV" and the top of the line "SL". All three come with CVT: continuously variable transmission that acts like an automatic. I chose the "SL" model not only because those are my initials, but because I love driving vehicles with all the bells and whistles. Go big or go home.

I was definitely impressed with the youthful and sporty interior that thankfully didn't give me the dreaded "plastic-y" feel. The center console houses a 5" color touch-screen monitor which was user friendly and fun to play with. It is here where the I-CON (integrated control) and climate control systems are located (I'll further elaborate on the I-CON when discussing the drive). There are two cup holders and a receptacle to hold your sunglasses, cell phone, keys and/or garage opener. Having two cup holders and a large enough receptacle to hold my "stuff" are two features that I demand in my vehicle.

The seating accommodates 5 adults comfortably with ample leg room. Although the cargo space is quite limited, it can easily be increased by folding down the rear seats. So if you have a large family and need room for a stroller, this car is not for you. The SL model comes with a moon roof which, when open, gives the car a roomier feel. I can't imagine driving this car without one.

Because I have a love for music, I will not purchase a vehicle without a decent sound system. In the SL model, there are 6 upgraded (if that's what they want to call it) speakers plus a Rockford Fosgate-powered 8" subwoofer. Whoop-di-do. I was not impressed. It sounded tinny. No more discussion on this.

Now for the drive. The 1.6L turbocharged engine left little to be desired UNTIL I changed from "normal" mode to "sport" mode. The Juke can be driven in three modes: normal, sport and eco. The steering, throttle and transmission response are controlled by a push of a button, depending on your mood. I started out in "normal" mode and expected some decent power right off the line. Sadly the Juke did not deliver. Willy, my salesperson, reminded me to change to the "sport" mode in time for the next red light. Surprisingly enough, the Jukester pulled through! Finally some power! I've been officially juked!

Although there wasn't much traffic for me to weave in and out of, I still felt the tight suspension and the ease of the maneuverability. Steering was very responsive and quite peppy. Braking was smooth and effortless. The all-around visibility was good too.

As far as safety goes, the Juke rates very high with the IIHS. It's one of their top safety picks based on crash-test results. Gas mileage averages are 27mpg for city and 32mpg for highway. I would have expected those numbers to be a little better. But hey, ya can't have everything.

Some other SL features are: rearview camera, heated front seats, keyless entry, fog lights, auto headlights & push-button ignition.

All in all, I like the combination of the boldness and uniqueness of this vehicle. I love the quasi-European styling of the interior. For a top of the line model in the $25K range, you get a lot of car for your money. 



To me, the Juke screams, "I'm different, I'm funky". And you know what? There's nothing wrong with being different and funky.

TIME FOR AN OIL CHANGE? MAYBE NOT...

Written by: Sindi Wasserberg Lash

Most of you probably have a little sticker on the upper left-hand corner of your windshield reminding you of your next oil change in 3,000 miles. That reminder, my friend, is a complete myth.

According to Phillip Reed, senior consumer advice editor of Edmunds.com, "there was a time when 3,000 miles was a good guideline, but it's no longer true for any car bought in the last 7 or 8 years; the oil chemistry and engine technology have improved so much over the years".

Although the average car's oil change interval is around 7,800 miles and as high as 20,000 miles (for Porsches), the 3,000 mile recommendation is an obvious tactic to keep the automotive service people busy. It's also a marketing ploy to get you into the dealership on a regular basis, whether in the service bay or on the showroom floor.

According to Steve Mazor, manager of AAA's research center, "more frequent-than-necessary oil changes won't gain any additional life for your engine or improved fuel economy; it will make little or no difference to the performance of the vehicle".

So what should you do? Your best bet is to check the maintenance chapter of your owner's manual. Don't tell me. Lemme guess. You've never opened it before. Now is a good time to start. If you misplaced it, many manuals can be found online. Also, if you have an oil life monitoring system, rely on that, don't second guess it.

Meanwhile, here are a few helpful tidbits about changing your oil:

1) If  you don't put many miles on your car, your maintenance schedule will have to be altered. A car that sits around for long periods of time without use means contaminated oil sits around longer in the engine. The longer contaminated oil sits around, the more it degrades.

2) If you drive a turbo charged or high-performance car, use synthetic oil. Synthetics have excellent temperature resistance, durability and all around performance. Although it costs more, you can go longer between oil changes. Most other cars do fine with conventional oil.

3) Every time you change the oil, change the filter too.

4) Don't know what the numbers mean on the bottle? See the chart below.

5) Make sure the engine oil bottle has the API (American Petroleum Institute) certification seal.

So stop wasting money and unnecessarily harming the environment and rip that sticker off your windshield.

DON’T BE SCAMMED: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM AN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE ADVISOR

Written by: Sindi Wasserberg Lash


There’s a trust factor issue related to so many industries in this country (i.e., health care) and the automotive repair industry is high on the list. According to 3 consumer protection agencies, the category most complained about was the automotive industry, specifically, faulty repairs. What is it about the auto repair and service industry that keeps getting a bad rap? Is it due to the worsening economy where more mechanics are engaging in shady practices? Perhaps. But weren't mechanics ripping off consumers during better economic times of yore?

I remember a couple of years ago, one of the major TV networks did a piece where consumers went undercover to several different “auto repair” shops. Hidden cameras were placed under the hood. The unfortunate but obvious conclusion was that the majority of the mechanics were trying to scam the consumer. 

Unfortunately, the lack of consumer confidence in the auto repair industry has been around for ages. Most people believe that mechanics will go out of their way to rip you off and provide services your car never needed in the first place. Not all mechanics or car maintenance people are untrustworthy. You just gotta do your due diligence before you head out the door.

Frequently I hear, “Where should I take my car for an oil change; should I go back to the dealership or go to my local lube shop?”  or “ I need new tires, should I pay a visit to the local tire shop or to the mega discount chain?”. It depends.

Most of us rely on word of mouth by our family or friends. Others rely on online reviews from Yelp or Angies List. But are these reviews legit or are they written by friends and/or family members of the mechanic and/or establishment? Sometimes it’s hard to tell. 

For this reason, I decided to consult with Jim Therrien, a Service Advisor (for over 10 years) at a major auto dealership in Orange County, California.  Jim offers the following CAVEAT EMPTOR advice …

1) Check for certifications and licenses that should be on display (by ASE, AAA, state).

2) Check for cleanliness of the facility. Is it a clean garage or are the floors littered with rags and empty oil cans?

3) When buying new tires, ask when the tires were manufactured (oops, I didn’t even do that last summer). There’s a chance I just bought 4 year old treads!

4) Ask questions: How long have you been in business? What does the warranty include and how long is it good for? How old is your equipment? You don’t want to go to a place that says, “We don’t need fancy equipment”. Don’t be shy.

5) Be suspicious if a mechanic recommends a coolant and/or power steering flush.  Most cars have fluid that’s designed to go 100K miles.

6) NEVER sign a blank authorization form. This is a no-brainer. Get specific information written and quoted for each job and have the mechanic/proprietor sign before you do.

7) If you need work on catalytic converters or emissions parts, check with your dealer first because these two areas are usually covered under your warranty.

8) You might want to turn around and walk out the door if the mechanic says to you, “I wouldn’t drive this car for another mile”. This comment is pretty extreme and meant to alarm you into guilt.

While trying to further broaden my CHIX AND CARZ blogging career, I happily stumbled upon AskPatty.com. You’re probably wondering what the heck that has to do with the auto repair industry. It has EVERYTHING (well, almost everything) to do with this industry.  This highly informative website is one that “offers design, training and certification to automotive retail and service centers on how to attract, sell, retain and increase loyalty with women customers”.  

ASK PATTY.COM

“Women can find an Ask Patty certified female-friendly auto dealer, tire dealer, collision center, auto service and repair centers using the location search” on the front page. I used this handy search feature twice, using both my current zip code (in Orange County, CA) and also my previous zip code (Chicago, IL). Both search results came up with plenty of options. I’m almost due for an oil change, so I’m definitely going to use the AskPatty.com’s certified center, it's one that I can trust.

Jody DeVere, the CEO of AskPatty.com, not only is a car care expert, but she’s also a social media marketing-to-women expert with over 25 years experience under her belt. She truly is a champion for women in the automotive industry as well as a champion for the female automotive consumer. Bravo Jody!

Now, to the person who asked me if they should take their 5 year old Jeep Grand Cherokee in for a look-see because the engine light had been illuminated for over 2 weeks, I say yes, that’s a pretty good idea. Because now you’re armed with automotive intelligence.