Podcast
Women Buying Cars | How to buy a car as a woman in a male-dominated industry.
Hosted by Meredith Reynolds · EN
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.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Good and Bad of Hondas
3w ago00:14:27Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!Email me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.comThe Good and Bad of Honda: Reliability, Value, and Common TradeoffsHost Meredith Reynolds of Kansas City launches a “Good and Bad” series with Honda, drawing on 12 years of selling mostly 5–15-year-old vehicles. She says Hondas are practical, highly reliable, often reach 200,000–300,000 miles with proper maintenance, cost about $420 per year in maintenance on average, are generally cheaper than Toyota, and hold value well; she highlights popular models including the Odyssey, CR-V, Pilot, Accord, and Civic, with strong fuel economy from many four-cylinder options. Downsides include conservative, “boring” interiors and styling, higher prices than some brands, and limited power. She flags concerns with 1.5L turbo engines and notes V6 Honda/Acura timing belts require costly replacement around 100,000–120,000 miles.00:00 Odyssey Loyalty Story00:41 Show Intro and Series Setup02:18 Honda Strengths Overview02:41 Longevity and Reliability04:56 Value and Top Models06:56 Why Hondas Feel Boring09:14 Price and Power Tradeoffs10:47 Known Engine Red Flags12:09 Timing Belt Cost Reality13:39 Who Should Buy HondaCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →3 Ways the War in Iran Affects Car Prices
Apr 900:12:02Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!How the War in Iran Could Impact Car PricesHost Meredith Reynolds, a former teacher and an owner of Reynolds Automotive in Kansas City, explains how the war in Iran could affect car prices and the car market through three factors: oil prices, access to semiconductor chips, and interest rates. She says higher oil and gas prices raise shipping costs for vehicles and parts and can increase repair costs as fuel and jet fuel prices rise, eventually pushing up consumer prices. She also warns supply disruptions of key inputs like helium from the Middle East could trigger another semiconductor chip shortage, impacting car and technology production. In her “Cars I Love” segment, she recommends the Toyota Hybrid Highlander for its fuel economy, features, and safety ratings.00:00 Welcome and Mission01:00 Why Iran War Impacts Cars01:24 Oil and Shipping Costs03:31 Parts and Repair Price Ripple04:45 Chip Supply Risk Returns07:40 Cars I Love Hybrid Highlander10:47 Interest Rates and Loans11:41 Wrap Up and Call to ActionCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →Repo vs Voluntary Repo
Mar 1700:20:49Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!Voluntary Repo vs Repossession: What Really Happens to Your Credit and Options to Avoid ItHost Meredith Reynolds of Women Buying Cars tells the truth about a voluntary car repossession or surrender. 00:52 Show Introduction01:37 Dealership Horror Story04:11 Repo vs Surrender04:23 How Repos Work05:58 Voluntary Repo Reality06:48 Credit Report Impact09:20 Why Banks Lose Money12:32 Score Drop Fallout15:07 Avoiding Repossession15:45 Sell or Refinance Options17:55 Rebuild Your Credit19:13 Final Recap and Outro#carbuyingtips #carbuying #usedcars #buyingacar #repo #volutnaryrepo #voluntarysurrender #kansascity #reynoldsautomotiveCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →What NOT to Say at the Dealership
Mar 300:17:40Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!Don’t Tell the Dealer Your Monthly Payment: Negotiate the Out-the-Door PriceHost 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 Trap01:01 Stop Sharing Payments02:26 Negotiate Out The Door02:56 Research Real Pricing04:07 Calculator Before You Go04:55 Watch For Add Ons05:45 Trade In Separately07:34 Favorite Car Buick10:13 Loan Term Dangers12:21 Rate Markup Games14:25 Pre Approval Strategy15:33 Recap And ClosingCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →Tire Care
Feb 1600:17:33Tap to summarizeText 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 For01:51 P = Pressure: TPMS Lights, PSI, and Finding the Right Number04:47 Seasonal Pressure Changes: Winter Drop, Summer Overinflation07:00 T = Tread: Legal Limits, Penny Test, and Wear Bars08:51 Tire Age Matters: Reading the DOT Date Code10:44 Cars I Love: Mazda CX-5 Quick Review13:04 R = Rotation & Balance: When to Do It and Why It Helps14:27 A = Alignment: Signs You’re Off + Pothole Damage15:22 Spare Tires vs Run-Flats: Don’t Get Caught Unprepared16:39 PETRA Recap + Final Tips, Reviews, and Sign-OffCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →8 Things to Check DURING the Test Drive
Jan 2400:16:24Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!Essential Tips for a Successful Car Test DriveMeredith 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 Drives00:38 Host Introduction and Personal Stories03:21 Pre-Test Drive Tips Recap03:35 Test Drive Tips: What to Look For09:40 Car Spotlight: Subaru Ascent12:32 Final Test Drive Tips and Conclusion#carshopping #usedcar #subaru #womeninsales #womencardealer #kansascity #kc #howtobuyacarCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →10 Things to Check Before the Test Drive
Jan 1000:19:09Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!10 Essential Tips for Women Before Test Driving a CarIn 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 Welcome01:15 New Year's Resolutions and Personal Insights04:07 Pre-Test Drive Checklist Overview04:33 Inspecting the Car Exterior06:23 Checking the Tires07:04 Under the Hood Inspection07:32 Interior Comfort and Visibility10:03 Special Segment: Cars I Love - Kia Telluride13:38 Testing Car Features and Electronics16:13 Ease of Access and Warning Lights18:09 Final Checks and ConclusionCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →Cars for Teens
Oct 1000:22:07Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!Choosing the Best Car for Your Teen Driver: Practical and Safe OptionsIn 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 Car01:08 Understanding Teen Driving Challenges01:52 Key Factors in Choosing a Teen's Car06:42 Safety Features to Look For08:12 Cars to Avoid for Teen Drivers15:00 Recommended Cars for Teens19:07 Luxury vs. Safety: Making the Right Choice21:11 Conclusion: Recap and Final AdviceCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →Lowball Offers
Sep 1900:16:09Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!Lowball Offers and Understanding Start-Stop TechnologyIn 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 Welcome00:43 Understanding Low Ball Offers00:55 Reasons for Low Ball Offers01:19 Making a Low Ball Offer to Save Money01:50 Researching Car Prices04:21 What Does This Button Do?07:57 Back to Low Ball Offers08:25 Shopping Within Your Budget10:32 Personal Anecdote on Budgeting14:32 Recap and Final Advice15:34 Closing RemarksCheck out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
Transcribe →Please Pay Your Car Insurance
Sep 400:14:27Tap to summarizeText me your episode idea or comment!Check out our inventory: www.reynoldsautomotivekc.comwww.youtube.com/@ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.facebook.com/ReynoldsAutomotiveKCwww.instagram.com/women_buying_carsEmail me: meredith@reynoldsautomotivekc.com
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