SC
Sarah Chen
Car Care & Buying EditorSarah spent six years in automotive retail before joining the Chariotz team. She brings a practical, consumer-first perspective to everything from detailing guides to used car negotiations. Her philosophy: take care of the basics before you bolt on the fun stuff.
46 articles · Covers: Car Care, Car Buying
Articles by Sarah
Car Buying
Car Care
Pre-Summer A/C Service — The Three Red Flags Worth a Shop Visit Before the First 90° Day
Car Buying
What a Clean Carfax Actually Hides — Six Things the Report Won't Tell You
Car Care
Spring Recall Roundup 2026 — Models to Check Before Your Next Service Visit
Car Buying
Reading a CPO Report Like a Skeptic — What Dealers Can Leave Out
Car Buying
What to Inspect on a Used Car That Spent the Winter on Salted Roads
Car Buying
Five Red Flags to Watch for When Test-Driving a Used SUV
Car Care
Spring Detailing Checklist After a Long Winter on Salted Roads
Car Care
Paint Decontamination After Winter: Iron Fallout, Tar, and Road Film
Car Buying
Should You Fix Your Current Car or Replace It in 2026?
Car Care
Cold-Weather Fuel Economy, Tire Pressure, and Warm-Up Myths
Car Care
Salt, Slush, and Floor Mats: Keeping Interiors Clean Through the Holidays
Car Buying
Year-End Used-Car Shopping: When to Negotiate, When to Walk Away
Car Care
How to Prep Paint, Glass, and Door Seals Before Cold Weather Arrives
Car Care
Headlight Restoration Before Fall: When Sanding Beats a Quick Wipe
Car Buying
Is a Performance Trim Worth It, or Should You Modify the Base Model?
Car Care
Hot-Weather Interior Care: UV Damage, Screens, Leather, and Plastics
Car Care
Ceramic Spray vs Wax vs Sealant: What Delivers the Best Real-World Payoff
Car Buying
Used Truck Shopping in 2025: What to Check Before You Tow Anything
Car Care
Clay Bar, Iron Remover, or Polish? Picking the Right Spring Paint Reset
Car Buying
Used EV Battery Health: The Questions to Ask Before You Buy
Car Care
Unique Gifts for Car Enthusiasts That Are Actually Useful
Car Care
Spend Your Tax Refund on Maintenance First: A Smarter Upgrade Plan
Car Care
Winter Battery Health, Tire Pressure, and Fluid Checks for Daily Drivers
Car Buying
Truck vs SUV in Late 2024: Which Fits Family Duty, Towing, and Weekend Gear?
Car Buying
Truck vs. SUV: Which Vehicle Fits Your Towing, Family, and Daily Driving Needs?
Car Care
DIY Car Interior Cleaning: Household Products Guide
Car Care
Car Window Tinting Cost: What You Need to Know
Car Care
Window Tint Cost, Heat Rejection, and Local-Law Basics Before You Book
Car Buying
Smart Used Car Buying Tips: Inspection, Pricing, and Red Flags
Car Buying
Summer Road-Trip Vehicle Checklist Before You Buy or Rent
Car Care
Low Tire Pressure: Warning Signs, Causes, and What to Check First
Car Buying
Used EV Prices Are Falling: How to Compare Value Without Ignoring Battery Risk
Car Care
Winter Wash Routine: How to Remove Salt Without Grinding It Into the Paint
Car Care
Pre-Holiday Travel Checklist: Tires, Battery, Wipers, and Defrost
Car Buying
Used EV Shopping Checklist: Battery Health, Charging, and Warranty Questions
Car Care
Spring Wash, Clay, and Seal: A Practical Reset for Daily Drivers
Car Buying
What to Check on a Used Truck When Inventory Is Still Tight
Car Care
Battery, Belts, and Fluids: The Simple Checks That Prevent Spring Breakdowns
Car Buying
How to Shop Smart When Used-Car Prices Feel Too High
Car Care
Wax, Sealant, or Ceramic Spray? Spring Paint Protection Explained
Car Care
Fall Car Care Checklist Before Rain and Road-Salt Season
Car Buying
How to Buy a Used Fun Car Without Overpaying
Car Care
Spring Detail Reset: De-Salt, Decontaminate, and Protect Your Paint
Car Care
What Are My Garage Flooring Options?
Car Care