Product Description

There are 15 million women drivers in the UK, yet so often they can feel at a disadvantage when it comes to dealing with the male-dominated motor industry. The solution has generally been seen as to call upon a male partner or family member for help. However, many women don't have a car-savvy bloke easily to hand - and would prefer to be more independent anyway. This is where The Girls' Car Handbook comes in. A vital reference book, it is packed with useful information designed to give women greater confidence when tackling every aspect of motoring from getting a good deal when buying a car, personal safety when driving, handling accidents and breakdowns, tips for greener motoring and much, much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20363 in Books
• Published on: 2009-08-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
'Maria McCarthy reveals everything there is to know about cars and driving . . . including tips on how to avoid getting ripped off' --OK!

'It's time for us girls to take control and this little gem of a book is the solution. Buy copies for your friends too!' --Look

'Very informative and funny!' --Ian Collins, Talksport, 'The Car Guys' programme

'The Girls' Car Handbook is a handy book for blokes too!'
--What Car? editor Steve Fowler

About the Author
Maria McCarthy is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and has contributed to Cosmopolitan, the Independent, the Guardian, the Sunday Express and MSN Cars. She's also a popular media commentator on motoring matters and has appeared on BBC Breakfast News and Radio 5 Live. She is the author of The Girls' Guide to Losing Your L-Plates: How to Pass Your Driving Test and teaches Freelance Journalism and Path to Publication workshops at Bristol University. For more information see www.mariamccarthy.co.uk.

Customer Reviews

A glovebox essential for women drivers
I read Maria's first book about learner drivers and liked the idea of a handbook to cover everyday motoring matters to keep women drivers safer and save us money.

This book does a very difficult job (I know because this is my subject!) very well, covers a huge range of topics from the essentials to the esoteric (including entertaining children on board, looking after pets and keeping your car clean) and treads a fine and balanced line without being too frilly or overly impressed by commercial influence.

This book is a 'catch all'; one to dip into at MOT and car servicing time or when you plan to buy a new car, need to check out insurance rates or have a specific requirement. It's not a bedtime read ;-) but it is a good and easy read in the subject areas that concern you most which is why I think it should be kept in the glovebox. Use it to do your homework about car insurance, breakdown cover, car maintenance, identifying the really good garages (not just ones that say they are!) and how to negotiate a female-friendly car deal (without needing to take a man along for support!).

The fact is that the UK motor industry is intimidating for too many women drivers and so many garages and dealerships are not at all female friendly BUT armed with this book female motorists can start to understand what their foxy choices are and know when to WALK AWAY from garages, dealerships and insurers where the service, workmanship and/or price promises just aren't up to scratch.

There are female friendly choices and motoring services out there that few women knew about - I think this book will help them negotiate a better and more female friendly deal in future.

Practical, informative, and highly enjoyable!
At last a car-related book that doesn't make you feel stupid for not having an innate understanding of how the internal combustion engine works .. or indeed for simply having been born female. Lots of really useful, practical advice on how not to be ripped off by dodgy dealers or misogynistic mechanics, but what I really like about this book is that it celebrates the lighter side of being a female driver, without becoming condescending or trivial. Haven't finished reading it yet, but I like what I've seen so far - a good mixture of the practical and the more entertaining, along with some sound personal safety advice.

A MUST FOR NEW DRIVERS!
I bought 'The girls guide to losing your L plates' about a year ago and absolutely loved it so i knew this one would be another favorite! It's full of useful info that you don't always know - how to find the best garages that won't rip you off, how to do your own safety checks and handy tips on buying your first car.