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Sarah Chen

Car Care & Buying Editor

Sarah 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

Pre-Purchase Inspection in 2026 — What a Good Mechanic Actually Catches, and What's Worth the $200
Car Buying

Pre-Purchase Inspection in 2026 — What a Good Mechanic Actually Catches, and What's Worth the $200

Pre-Summer A/C Service — The Three Red Flags Worth a Shop Visit Before the First 90° Day
Car Care

Pre-Summer A/C Service — The Three Red Flags Worth a Shop Visit Before the First 90° Day

What a Clean Carfax Actually Hides — Six Things the Report Won't Tell You
Car Buying

What a Clean Carfax Actually Hides — Six Things the Report Won't Tell You

Spring Recall Roundup 2026 — Models to Check Before Your Next Service Visit
Car Care

Spring Recall Roundup 2026 — Models to Check Before Your Next Service Visit

Reading a CPO Report Like a Skeptic — What Dealers Can Leave Out
Car Buying

Reading a CPO Report Like a Skeptic — What Dealers Can Leave Out

What to Inspect on a Used Car That Spent the Winter on Salted Roads
Car Buying

What to Inspect on a Used Car That Spent the Winter on Salted Roads

Five Red Flags to Watch for When Test-Driving a Used SUV
Car Buying

Five Red Flags to Watch for When Test-Driving a Used SUV

Spring Detailing Checklist After a Long Winter on Salted Roads
Car Care

Spring Detailing Checklist After a Long Winter on Salted Roads

Paint Decontamination After Winter: Iron Fallout, Tar, and Road Film
Car Care

Paint Decontamination After Winter: Iron Fallout, Tar, and Road Film

Should You Fix Your Current Car or Replace It in 2026?
Car Buying

Should You Fix Your Current Car or Replace It in 2026?

Cold-Weather Fuel Economy, Tire Pressure, and Warm-Up Myths
Car Care

Cold-Weather Fuel Economy, Tire Pressure, and Warm-Up Myths

Salt, Slush, and Floor Mats: Keeping Interiors Clean Through the Holidays
Car Care

Salt, Slush, and Floor Mats: Keeping Interiors Clean Through the Holidays

Year-End Used-Car Shopping: When to Negotiate, When to Walk Away
Car Buying

Year-End Used-Car Shopping: When to Negotiate, When to Walk Away

How to Prep Paint, Glass, and Door Seals Before Cold Weather Arrives
Car Care

How to Prep Paint, Glass, and Door Seals Before Cold Weather Arrives

Headlight Restoration Before Fall: When Sanding Beats a Quick Wipe
Car Care

Headlight Restoration Before Fall: When Sanding Beats a Quick Wipe

Is a Performance Trim Worth It, or Should You Modify the Base Model?
Car Buying

Is a Performance Trim Worth It, or Should You Modify the Base Model?

Hot-Weather Interior Care: UV Damage, Screens, Leather, and Plastics
Car Care

Hot-Weather Interior Care: UV Damage, Screens, Leather, and Plastics

Ceramic Spray vs Wax vs Sealant: What Delivers the Best Real-World Payoff
Car Care

Ceramic Spray vs Wax vs Sealant: What Delivers the Best Real-World Payoff

Used Truck Shopping in 2025: What to Check Before You Tow Anything
Car Buying

Used Truck Shopping in 2025: What to Check Before You Tow Anything

Clay Bar, Iron Remover, or Polish? Picking the Right Spring Paint Reset
Car Care

Clay Bar, Iron Remover, or Polish? Picking the Right Spring Paint Reset

Used EV Battery Health: The Questions to Ask Before You Buy
Car Buying

Used EV Battery Health: The Questions to Ask Before You Buy

Unique Gifts for Car Enthusiasts That Are Actually Useful
Car Care

Unique Gifts for Car Enthusiasts That Are Actually Useful

Spend Your Tax Refund on Maintenance First: A Smarter Upgrade Plan
Car Care

Spend Your Tax Refund on Maintenance First: A Smarter Upgrade Plan

Winter Battery Health, Tire Pressure, and Fluid Checks for Daily Drivers
Car Care

Winter Battery Health, Tire Pressure, and Fluid Checks for Daily Drivers

Truck vs SUV in Late 2024: Which Fits Family Duty, Towing, and Weekend Gear?
Car Buying

Truck vs SUV in Late 2024: Which Fits Family Duty, Towing, and Weekend Gear?

Truck vs. SUV: Which Vehicle Fits Your Towing, Family, and Daily Driving Needs?
Car Buying

Truck vs. SUV: Which Vehicle Fits Your Towing, Family, and Daily Driving Needs?

DIY Car Interior Cleaning: Household Products Guide
Car Care

DIY Car Interior Cleaning: Household Products Guide

Car Window Tinting Cost: What You Need to Know
Car Care

Car Window Tinting Cost: What You Need to Know

Window Tint Cost, Heat Rejection, and Local-Law Basics Before You Book
Car Care

Window Tint Cost, Heat Rejection, and Local-Law Basics Before You Book

Smart Used Car Buying Tips: Inspection, Pricing, and Red Flags
Car Buying

Smart Used Car Buying Tips: Inspection, Pricing, and Red Flags

Summer Road-Trip Vehicle Checklist Before You Buy or Rent
Car Buying

Summer Road-Trip Vehicle Checklist Before You Buy or Rent

Low Tire Pressure: Warning Signs, Causes, and What to Check First
Car Care

Low Tire Pressure: Warning Signs, Causes, and What to Check First

Used EV Prices Are Falling: How to Compare Value Without Ignoring Battery Risk
Car Buying

Used EV Prices Are Falling: How to Compare Value Without Ignoring Battery Risk

Winter Wash Routine: How to Remove Salt Without Grinding It Into the Paint
Car Care

Winter Wash Routine: How to Remove Salt Without Grinding It Into the Paint

Pre-Holiday Travel Checklist: Tires, Battery, Wipers, and Defrost
Car Care

Pre-Holiday Travel Checklist: Tires, Battery, Wipers, and Defrost

Used EV Shopping Checklist: Battery Health, Charging, and Warranty Questions
Car Buying

Used EV Shopping Checklist: Battery Health, Charging, and Warranty Questions

Spring Wash, Clay, and Seal: A Practical Reset for Daily Drivers
Car Care

Spring Wash, Clay, and Seal: A Practical Reset for Daily Drivers

What to Check on a Used Truck When Inventory Is Still Tight
Car Buying

What to Check on a Used Truck When Inventory Is Still Tight

Battery, Belts, and Fluids: The Simple Checks That Prevent Spring Breakdowns
Car Care

Battery, Belts, and Fluids: The Simple Checks That Prevent Spring Breakdowns

How to Shop Smart When Used-Car Prices Feel Too High
Car Buying

How to Shop Smart When Used-Car Prices Feel Too High

Wax, Sealant, or Ceramic Spray? Spring Paint Protection Explained
Car Care

Wax, Sealant, or Ceramic Spray? Spring Paint Protection Explained

Fall Car Care Checklist Before Rain and Road-Salt Season
Car Care

Fall Car Care Checklist Before Rain and Road-Salt Season

How to Buy a Used Fun Car Without Overpaying
Car Buying

How to Buy a Used Fun Car Without Overpaying

Spring Detail Reset: De-Salt, Decontaminate, and Protect Your Paint
Car Care

Spring Detail Reset: De-Salt, Decontaminate, and Protect Your Paint

What Are My Garage Flooring Options?
Car Care

What Are My Garage Flooring Options?

The Importance Of Car Detailing To Maintain Your Car's Value
Car Care

The Importance Of Car Detailing To Maintain Your Car's Value