Tag Archives: foxy lady drivers

foxy lady drivers live up to the meaning of the word foxy as in shrewd, canny, smart and fashionable.

Are they having a larf?

How much did you say?

A number of garages expect me to start the buying process before they tell me how much my car servicing is likely to cost. But I’m foxy, remember; I’m used to comparing prices first and I have no intention of being fobbed off in this way.

If I pick something off a supermarket shelf or High Street clothes rack, for example, I expect to see the price before I buy it.

If it’s more than I want to pay I can keep looking or go elsewhere. Whether it’s a tin of beans, a car service or a fitted kitchen…

And I don’t expect to be asked for my personal details before I’m given a price. That’s enough to send me packing elsewhere…

So when my car needs servicing or repairs I want to know what my choices are and to be able to compare, like for like, what it’s going to cost for my car and model. Because otherwise it’s nigh on impossible to judge what’s best value for money for me, the car and the occasion.

As things stand…some garages publish car servicing tariffs online and others don’t.

Most dealerships and leading independent garages include car collection services whereas few national chain garages and fast-fits do…

And some garage brokers publish a price tariff and collect your car but don’t tell you which garage will be doing the work. This worries me because a low price can be a function of quality workmanship and this is an industry where garages aren’t regulated and mechanics do not have to be accredited as fit for purpose...

Yet many garage and main dealership websites expect motorists to book car servicing and MOTs via their website without confirming a price or giving an estimate for starters. And one assumes people trust them sufficiently to do this…

Well, knowing what I do about the UK’s garage industry I wouldn’t buy expensive garage services without knowing
1     who the garage is
2    whether it’s up to the job ie what are their credentials
3    what my local choices are and
4    that the price is a fair one in my circumstances (from a value for money point of view).

So my advice to all foxy lady drivers is to check the garage in question for measurable signs of quality (like ATA, BSI and OFT logos), look for a tariff (or ask for an estimate in advance) and shop around. And my advice to garages is to publish some sort of estimate before they go to someone else who does.

It’s a very competitive world when it comes to buying car servicing and/or vehicle repairs and this means that independents, dealerships, fastfits and bodyshops must each set out their wares to attract the right customer and car. Prices, customer services and amenities – not just the work they do.

Having said that, it is rarely in any motorist’s best interest to buy a used car or garage service on price alone and no-one should be fooled into buying any garage service or repair without getting a quote in advance…

Sadly too many foxy lady drivers are paying more than they need without realising this until afterwards.

To find out about your choice of garage solutions and signs of garage quality to look for, see FOXY’s Good Garage Guide. And if it’s female friendly garages you’re after, visit FOXY Choice’s website and email selected businesses direct to compare their prices and service levels first.

Finally let us know how you get on and, whilst this offer stands, we’ll thank women who give us garage feedback with a free gift of membership of FOXY Lady Drivers Club worth £23. Where we share the word about the best businesses to benefit foxy lady members and their families…

FOXY

Sponsorship plea for two young female racing drivers

Now that we have two British Formula One racing champions how much longer till we see a woman driver taking podium places at a big racing event that gets serious recognition.

Not long I predict if the two young female racing drivers I know have their way… Zoe Wenham and Carol Brown.

Zoë Wenham became the youngest female circuit racing driver in 2008 when she passed her ARDS test and started racing in Saxmax, a championship in Citroen Saxos for 14 to 17 year olds. She has been the only female driver in the championship for most of 2008 and all of 2009.

Next year Zoë is 16 when she’ll be able to race with full sized adults in the Volkswagen Racing Cup, running alongside Formula 3, British GTs and National Formula Ford Championships and here are the dates and venues when she will be racing.

17th/18th July – Rockingham, Northamptonshire
14th/15th August – Silverstone, Northamptonshire
18th/19th September – Brands Hatch, Kent
16th/17th October – Donington Park, Derbyshire

Carol Brown is older at 21 and has fitted in an action packed motorsport CV to date. She was voted Scottish Lady Driver of the Year in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and recognised as the person most likely to progress in motorsport by the award of the Sheila White Trophy.

Carol began her motorsport career in karting at the tender age of six claiming Scottish titles when 8 years old including third in the British championship – all competing against boys.

By the age of 18 Carol was ready to step up a level – opting to try her hand at Legends racing. In her first full season she claimed Rookie of the Year and fourth place in the Scottish championships. In 2008 Carol dominated the championship from start to finish and claimed the SMRC Legends Cars Championship title.

Carol’s ultimate aim is to become a winning driver in the highly-competitive British Touring Car Championship and her racing plans for 2010 will appear on her website when finalised.

Both these foxy lady drivers are exceptional racing drivers and beating boys as they go but it is an expensive career to fund. So if you are reading this blog and know of a potential motorsport sponsor please ask them to consider helping girls (not just boys…) reach their podium ambitions.

And if you organise corporate hospitality events, why not contact Zoe’s Dad Paul for details of hospitality packages when Zoe is racing in 2010.

Good luck next season girls – I really do admire your motorsport talent and hope you can attract the funding you need so you can concentrate on the racing in future.

FOXY