There are a lot of great convertible offerings on the market, and to be honest, we at Buying Cars Her Way truly love them all, but we’ve settled on our five absolute favorite convertibles that make driving in the summertime even better than lying out by the pool:

1. The 2013 Corvette Stingray Convertible: Ever since the Stingray Convertible made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, we have not been able to stop drooling over this baby. With a 6.2-liter V8 engine, this baby rockets from 0 to 60 in less than four seconds—for those times when there’s nothing more important that getting to the beach, and fast.
2. The 2013 FIAT 500 Convertible: It’s small, it’s cute, and Lisa Copeland swears by it! Offered in a variety of interesting colors like Giallo and Rosso (fancy ways of saying bright yellow and red), the FIAT 500 Convertible gets the best fuel efficiency out of our top five: 40 mpg on the highway and 31 in the city!
3. The 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible: We like the Miata because not only is it spirited with exact handling, a beautiful engine, and perhaps segment-best steering, but it is also offered at one of the most affordable convertible prices. That means more money for summer road trips to somewhere with clear skies, white sand, and drinks with little umbrellas.
4. The 2013 Infiniti G37 Convertible: There’s a lot to love about the G37 Convertible, but perhaps it is what defines Infiniti that really gets us excited: pure luxury. Some of the most lavish features include the leather and alloy trims, the in-car entertainment system, the heated power seats, and a control-laden steering wheel, not to mention the remote trunk release, which reveals the near segment-best 10.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is good for piling all the luggage you need for your weekend-long (or season-long, if you play your cards right) getaway.
5. The 2013 Nissan 370Z: It’s safe to say we had the most fun driving the sporty Nissan 370Z. With a rear-wheel drive platform and a seven-speed shiftable automatic transmission, the driving doesn’t get more exhilarating than this. Take one out to a raceway this summer, and you’ll see what we mean.

Do you have any convertible favorites? Let us know in the comment section below!

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If you’re in the market for a new car and want something a little spicier, here are a few new models that come in several fun color options:

• The 2013 Chevy Spark: Colors range from Jalapeño Metallic and Lemonade to Salsa and Techno Pink. Pictured above is the Techno Pink Spark, a light pastel shade—something Barbie may drive once she’s a little more settled down with Ken.

• The 2013 Ford Fiesta: Some of the bolder color choices we’ve ever seen from Ford come on the Fiesta: Blue Candy Metallic, Lime Squeeze Metallic, and Race Red are among our favorites. We’ve featured the Lime Squeeze Metallic above because we can’t help thinking of being on a nice warm beach with a margarita in hand. Can you blame us?

• The 2013 Mazda MAZDA2: With lots of color options, including Spirited Green Metallic, True Red, and Clear Water Blue Metallic (above), the MAZDA2 nearly offers an entire rainbow of color.

• The 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek: Most of the color options for the XV Crosstrek are actually bland, but we can’t help but smile when we spot a Tangerine Orange Pearl, which we’ve got above, or a Marine Blue Pearl model cruising down the highway.

• And lastly, but certainly not least, is the one-and-only Hot Pink FIAT Abarth, owned by our very own Lisa Copeland! FIAT also offers Verde Chiaro (light green), Luce Blue, Giallo (yellow) and more! They have so many colorful options, you can’t go wrong!

Now it’s your turn! Do you drive a car with fun and festive color? Tell us about it below—heck, even submit a picture so everyone can get a springtime smile!

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Winter has come and gone, and let’s face it—some of our cars are the worse for it. Winter driving is incredibly rough on your car, and as important as it is to prep your vehicle for the impenetrable cold of the bleak winter months, it is equally important to do some proper inspections once you finally creep back into the warmth of spring.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as the snow starts to melt for the last time this winter:

• Winter is a tire’s worst enemy. As such, you’ll need to check a couple things. First, make sure your tires are properly inflated, as tire pressure commonly goes down in cold weather. After they’re at the proper pressure level, check all of the wheels for appropriate tread thickness. Having too thin a tread can cause your car to hydroplane. To check tread thickness, take a penny and insert it into the grooves of the tread. If Mr. Lincoln’s head is still poking out, you’ll want to replace that tire. Thanks for the help, Mr. President.
• Your battery may need replaced. Winter is especially rough on batteries, so you’ll want to test your battery straight away, and replace it if it is old or weak. Doing this now will be cheaper than paying for a tow and a replacement later on down the road.
• Air filters don’t last forever. Especially for allergy sufferers, the air filter is an incredibly important (though often forgotten) component of your car. Make sure both the engine and the cabin air filters are still clean, and if not, replace as soon as possible.
• Fluid levels can drop in the winter. This includes oil, antifreeze, coolant, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid, to name a few. Make sure to top these off or replace them if necessary.
• Your brakes, belts and hoses, and suspension should be inspected by a professional. Winter can be cruel to these components, so you’ll want to ensure they are still in top operating condition.
• Good windshield wiper blades make rainy driving a cinch. Face it: spring is wet. You’re going to want windshield wiper blades that don’t smear or streak, so make sure yours are still working fine. Generally, you’ll need new ones once a year.

Spring can make for some of the best times you’ll ever spend on the road. You can finally roll down the windows, crank the radio, and feel the wind running through your hair. Just be sure your car is in perfect form before doing so!

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Russey started her stylish cab driving career on New Year’s Day in 1915. She wasn’t just committed to taxis, however; she was also an expert mechanic and could fix up cars better than most men. Russey has been a light that has led the way for other women to get involved in the automotive industry, in taxis and elsewhere. Female taxi drivers are a common occurrence nowadays, thanks to Russey. In fact, over in New Delhi, there is a cab service that we featured last month called Cabs for Women by Women, a company devoted to transporting women safely through the dangerous city. You can check out that post here!

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, we salute the pioneering work of Wilma K. Russey and thank her for all the roads she has opened to women across the country and around the world.

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Lawrence got her start in a film called Daniel Boone, which was released in 1907. She went on to star in over 250 films, but many of these (primarily her earlier ones) were all film shorts (called “one-reelers”). In these films, the credits weren’t featured, so Lawrence’s name wasn’t even known. However, when Carl Laemmle (founder of Universal Pictures) created the IMP Company, he made Lawrence his star actress, and she became a household name and is often regarded as the very first movie star.

But this fiery actress did more than just act—she invented! Lawrence is attributed with first coming up with the turn signal, as well the first full-stop signal that is activated by pressing on the brake. While she never patented these inventions, she will always be remembered for developing the earliest prototypes. Her relationship with cars even made it to the big screen. Lawrence’s inspiring driving was featured in many silent films and encouraged American women to start tackling the roadways.

This Women’s History Month, we honor all the hard work of Florence Lawrence, both on- and off-screen. She has been a true inspiration to the creative minds of women for decades—and will be for decades to come.

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March 8^th is International Women’s Day. As a female automotive executive, I find this day very interesting. I scoured the blogs and the news to see what automakers had to say about the number one consumer in world. How would they honor her? How would they acknowledge her?

I ran across remarks from Chrysler/ FIAT CEO, Sergio Marchionne.

It’s no secret, the admiration I hold for this man.  It started with a speech I heard him give in 2009.

“A Promise for a Promise.” This speech absolutely transformed my thought process about the automotive industry. I was a fan from that day on.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Marchionne in June of 2011. He came to visit me after, Tim Kuniskis—NAFTA FIAT Boss–lost a bet. The bet was, if FIAT of Austin would sell in excess of 100 new FIAT 500s in single month that he would introduce me to the celebrity of my choice.

To his surprise, my choice…Marchionne. He made the promise,we made the goal, and Marchionne showed up.

I have never been so nervous to meet someone. In my career I have met celebrities, politicians, even two sitting US Presidents. This was different.

He entered the room and immediately put me at ease. He was real, kind, and truly engaged in the success of our business. It was a day I will never forget and a highlight in my automotive career.

As I read Mr. Marchionne’s thoughts yesterday, I could not help but to be proud that he was the CEO of our company. I see the same genuine passion of the man that I met through his comments.

He said “Chrysler serves a diverse mix of customers, a factor that will become even more important as we continue to grow in global markets. We need to create a workforce that embraces diversity, drawing strength from humbly learning from the unique experiences and viewpoints that all of our people bring to the house.

2013 marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the United States. This was a landmark event in civil rights, and we are all aware that this country has made significant progress since then. There are other countries – as some horrible recent chronicles tell us – where exploitation and violence are a daily issue, where respect for women and minorities, a culture of non-violence and the principle of equality are not even formally recognized.

We are far ahead of those countries, but we cannot forget how difficult it was to secure women’s right to vote and the subsequent advancements, just as we cannot ignore that we still have a long way to go to ensure that all persons have the opportunities they need and deserve.

This is a task that calls for a shared commitment. Each of us has a moral duty to help create a world that guarantees dignity, freedom and the opportunity for a decent life for every human being. Building a better future is a huge responsibility, but it is the greatest challenges that give deeper significance to who and what we are.

That is why we consider International Women’s Day to be synonymous with the campaign for equality and advancement, not just of women, but of the human race.”

I want to publicly thank Mr. Marchionne for his comments and his spirit.  He embodies everything that I believe needs to happen within the automotive industry, to level the playing field not only for female consumers, but for female employees.

I have spent my career encouraging female consumers to walk away from bad behavior. Close your purse if you don’t feel respected or honored during the buying process.

I also tell them that if a business displays good behavior, to show their support by purchasing what they are selling and helping to spread the word about that business.

Ladies, I am asking you to support the Chrysler Corp…They get it!

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The trip was not at all easy. Ramsey, who had learned to drive after a “monster” had scared her horse the previous year, faced several challenges. The 3,800 mile journey featured only 152 miles of paved road, and the Maxwell DA was not the easiest to drive. Despite the car company’s claim that the journey had gone “without a particle of car trouble,” the car broke down on several occasions. Ramsey herself had to fix at least one blown tire, and a mechanic had to take care of a damaged coil. Interestingly, while it was being repaired, someone nearby shouted out, “Get a horse!”

In fact, several horse-lovers were adamant about foiling Ramsey’s journey. One farmer in particular painted his barn green, tricking Ramsey, whose map directed her to turn left at his yellow barn. At one point, the women ran out of gas (because keeping an eye on fuel levels was much more involved back then), and the following day, the transmission needed water. They didn’t have any extra on board, so these dedicated women got on their hands and knees in the ditches and used their toothbrush holders to scoop out water to put back in to the radiator—gruesome ounce by gruesome ounce.

Ramsey and her female traveling companions reached San Francisco in 59 days, with a top speed of 42 mph. Fast, right? After this initial journey, Ramsey went on to travel the country again and again, losing count after thirty. But she didn’t stop in America. She went on to brave five of the six passes in the Swiss Alps. (She couldn’t complete the last one on her doctor’s order.)

Ramsey’s journey was absolutely inspiring and intriguing to learn about, but we at Buying Cars Her Way agree that our very favorite fact of the story is actually about her husband. You see, despite Alice’s proven driving prowess, her husband, John, never learned to drive himself. The story goes that he even once screamed frantically as Alice drove, “Alice, how the heck do you stop this thing!”

So this week of Women’s History Month, let’s all take a leaf out of Alice’s book and drive somewhere new—just leave all the men at home!

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Rother was born in 1908 in France, where she worked as a designer of jewelry and other fashion accessories. However, she and her daughter, Ina, had to flee the Nazi-occupied home they’d come to love in 1941. It wasn’t smooth sailing, however. Their escape led the mother and daughter on a whirlwind of adventure, including a two month stay at a displaced persons camp in Africa and then time spent in Casablanca. At long last, the duo arrived in America, where Rother eventually joined the General Motors interior styling staff in 1943—even though she had absolutely no automotive experience.

By accepting this job, Rother became the very first female automotive designer. Eventually, however, she earned enough experience to open her very own design studio, specializing in automotive interiors, as well as furniture and stained glass windows. Her very first account was the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation, so if you ever find yourself behind the wheel of a Nash car from 1948-1956, chances are you’re sitting on a seat designed personally by Rother.

After the Nash account, however, Rother moved onto something a little more chilling—she became a hearse interior designer for Miller-Meteor because, hey, even in the afterlife, folks appreciate a good car, right?

So in this first week of Women’s History Month, we salute the inspiring automotive pioneer, Helene Rother, and thank her kindly for all her achievements.

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Chandni Gautam stands outside her cab in New Delhi, India. Picture credited to seattleglobalist.com (Photo by Bhamati Sivapalan)

Over in New Delhi, women face dangers on the streets every day, especially during transportation. Because of recent violence toward females in December of 2012 while they were commuting, some New Delhi women have taken action and started a cab service solely for women and by women—that’s where they got the catchy title, Cabs for Women by Women.

As one of the city’s few female cab drivers, 21-year-old Chandni Gautam, was once a nervous, quiet girl when she first joined. But now, she does not hesitate to stand up for herself if she is offended. The company requires safety and self defense classes offered by the women’s wing of the Delhi Police Department. In addition, they are taught women’s rights and the legal recourse available to them. This helps to give them more confidence and empowerment when out on the roads.

“Every other day, men, complete strangers, come and tell me I shouldn’t be doing this job, that it’s a dirty job for a woman,” Gautam said. “But I tell them to mind their own business.”

One time, she chased a man who made an inappropriate comment and even forced him to apologize. “I think it’s important that we don’t tolerate such behavior,” Gautam added.

As of now, the service only has seven cabs and eight female drivers, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed that it catches on. The cab service only picks up women. The female customers are typically middle-class or even affluent; those who frequently travel without companions have really become fans of women-only cabs. It may cost more, but many women have expressed that their safety is worth the price.

Another goal of the cab service is to provide jobs with respectable wages for women in New Delhi. Shanti Sharma, one of the cab drivers, said in an interview with The World that she now makes enough to support her family for the very first time.

Despite all this progress, the cab service is mocked by male drivers on the road. These men ridicule the women’s driving and laugh in their faces on a daily basis. But Sharma and Cabs for Women by Women have an answer for this as well. The way to change how men view female drivers, according to Sharma, is to get more women driving.

We at Buying Cars Her Way couldn’t agree more! We have found that there are several women-only transportation services in many cities. Tokyo has train cars for women; London has Lady Chauffers; Kuala Lumpur has a fleet of women-only taxis; Medellín has Pink Taxis; and Dubai has pink-topped “Women’s Taxis.”

Keep ‘em coming ladies!!

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The story goes that one winter day, miserably wet and cold, Anderson was a passenger on a streetcar headed to New York City. She observed that the driver was having difficulty seeing through the windshield and laughed when she realized that the only solution was for the driver to hang his or her head out the window to see. She knew right away that not only was this incredibly dangerous, but also it had to be extraordinarily uncomfortable for the driver.

Then the idea hit her: a window cleaning device. The blades from the device would be used to get rid of snow, ice, and sleet from the windshield. She went straight to work and developed a wiper device that was operated by a lever inside the car. When the driver pulled on the lever, the wiper would wipe away anything blocking the driver’s sight.

Unfortunately for Anderson, her idea never made her rich. It was even scorned at first. But time has proven just how brilliant Mary Anderson truly was. So from now on, whenever you flick on your wipers in the rain, smile and know that it’s all because Mary Anderson didn’t want you sticking your head out of a moving vehicle. How thoughtful of her.

And Happy Birthday, Mary! She would have been 147 this month! 

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