It’s me, I’m back. Well, I didn’t actually GO anywhere, just been here, working on a new project that I just launched yesterday. And I am so excited! If you have any spare minutes, you really need to check out this fun social networking site for moms – you really should mamas. And what’s really neat about it is that you could win free stuff. Free! All you have to do is submit a vlog (video blog) and once a month a momma vlogger’s vlog (hey, I like that, vlogger’s vlog, cool) will be chosen as “the best” and the freebies get sent – and there ya go! The site has more than just vlogs, there are blogs, groups, a forum, music, photos, important events listed and you can advertise yourself *wink* *wink* Hope to see ya there!
You may remember in one of my former posts a few weeks back I was so excited because I was invited to attend the Ford Ride and Drive in Chicago the day before the BlogHer conference begins. Well the event is only nine days away and I am so giddy that I think I might just wet my pants (not really, but you get my point). During this event I, along with 50 other bloggers will get the chance to tour the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant (awesome), test drive the 2010 Ford Fusion (yippee), go on the production line of the brand new 2010 Ford Taurus (whoa), and sample the Active Park Assist that allows you to parallel park with just a push of a little ol’ button (now this I’ve gotta see)! Anyhoo, the Ford event is called What Women Want: Tech & Quality Event (fancy schmancy ‘eh?) Personally, I think the title ROCKS cause for once someone is asking WHAT WOMEN WANT, thank you very much FORD, I heart you!
So I am a women, yes. What do I want in a vehicle? What’s important to me when I get in my car?
Really, I don’t even have to spend any time thinking about what’s important to me and what I look for in a vehicle. I just know.
1. SAFETY – I’m a mom of five and when I load my kids in the car, I want to feel safe driving the car. Airbags, for me, are a huge plus.
2. RELIABILITY – I not only want to feel safe, I want the car to work. I want the car to perform its required functions and NOT break down. Nothing scares me more than the thought of being out in the car with my kids and the car breaking down.
3. ECONOMICAL – Yes, GO GREEN! With the economy these days, I think this is on all women’s minds. I know it’s on mine. For the past several years I have been driving a gas hog. Oh it’s an SUV with plenty of space for my large family, but it’s a HOG. I would love a new car. I want to down-size. I also have never owned a crossover or hybrid vehicle, but they are looking better and better by the minute. Why would I want to spend close to $100 a week to fill my HOG’s gas tank?
So my faithful readers, I’m asking you now to share your thoughts on this important topic. When you are shopping for a car, what’s important to you? Really important? What do YOU want in a vehicle? Also, if you have any questions about Ford or car quality, ask me now, as while I am at the What Women Want event we will be discussing with Ford experts any questions you might have and then I will be posting through my blog here, and Twitter, results on this topic and answers to any questions you might have. Please follow us on Twitter using hashtag #FordBlogHer
So please, leave me a comment with your thoughts and questions, and keep checking back in as I will be posting more on this terrific topic over the next couple of weeks. Let’s go ladies!
Posted by: Paula on July 14th, 2009 | 10 Comments »
Tags: BlogHer, blogs, Chicago, Ford, MommyBloggers, moms, TheMommaVlogs, Twitter, vlogs, WhatWomenWant
10 Comments »
Wow, you are a die-hard FORD kinda gal! Wait – you had a 1981 Mustang?! I am SO jealous Sam! I want a Mustang like, NOW, and the hubby just laughs at me as there is no way in hell I’m gonna fit five kids in a stang, plus all the rest of the baggage, ya know. And storage. Now there is a must! Love the Explorer too!
On the farm I grew up on, we had a fleet of Ford trucks. I exaggerate, but we probably had 4 Ford trucks. I drive a Ford Focus right now. The main reason I bought it was because it was affordable and Consumer Reports gave it a good rating. At this point in my life, I don’t spend a lot of time driving kids around, so I don’t need a lot of storage space. But I do like for things to work. For example, defrosting the windows–is that convenient, or do I have to set 3-4 dials to get it to work. I also like my car to be something that is pretty easy to work on when it does need repairs. So here’s what comes most readily to mind.
Affordable
Reliable
Mileage
Long-lasting
I hate buying cars, so I want the ones I buy to last a long time (I have zero vanity about what I drive; I just want it to get me where I need to go in a relatively comfortable manner). When I bought the Focus, I was determined to buy an American-made car (though I have also owned Toyotas in the past). American car manufacturers need to make that not only inviting by making affordable, practical and environmentally friendly cars.
Comment by Jane — July 14, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
Another Ford fan! Super! I totally understand your feelings on a car lasting for a long time – which means owning a car for a long time which we normally do. I know some people like to get a new car every 2 years. Not me. I agree with looking for a car that is reliable and that is going to last for a while.
Well, Paula, of course I love reliability and safety, lots of air bags that are packed into the walls of the car and not riding with me in the passenger and backseats, distracting me from driving. What I really want in a car, however, is a hot color, a sun roof and a retro flair. As you might guess, I despise mini-vans because they are not cool at all. :)
Now you’re talkin’ ;)
Over the years, I have had a couple mini vans and though there was plenty of space for all the baby gear and babies, I never really liked driving a mini van.
As I told Sam in an earlier comment, someday, I want to be driving a Mustang :)
My biggest requirement in a car is to get me from point A to point B without worrying about breaking down or having a wheel fall off or anything tragic. I want RELIABILTY because normally at the pace I run, there is no margain of error– I barely make it to where I’m going on most days.
That said, I would also like to point out the CARS NEED TO COME WITH A TRASH COMPARTMENT with easy access. Right now, the only trash compartment we have is the entire bottom of the backseat. It’s not pretty.
Oh, and personally, multiple coffee cup holders. ‘Nuff said. :)
That’s how I feel. I want to get to where I am going – no break downs.
That’s something to think about – a trash compartment. Good idea.
The back seat – not a good idea!
I wish cars were more affordable. Right now, there’s no chance I could ever afford something new. A year’s salary just seems an unreasonable price for a car big enough to fit a family and that’s safe and reliable. Maybe it would be different if I knew I wouldn’t be continuing to put money into it every year I owned it…
Comment by Amy — July 16, 2009 @ 8:55 pm
Don’t we all! How can anybody afford a new car these days? And that will never change unfortunately (putting money into the car every year for service, repairs, etc).
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Okay, I have had 3 Fords: a 1981 Mustang, my first car. A 1980-something Ford Ranger. A 2002 Ford Explorer, the car I have now. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light has always come on in each Ford I’ve owned, and diagnostically, can be a thorn in my side. Only complaint.
As far as what I want in a car, I want the NHTSA to give any car I buy the highest rating possible. I want the car makers, and executives, to drive their families in the cars they are trying to sell me.
And I want the car to last, last, last.
Plus, a car designed with storage, like a purse with numerous pockets, will get the buying part of my brain working in high gear.
That’s it for now, the All Star Game is on! (Did I mention the car needs to be able to hold baseball gear, groceries, sleeping bags and my dog, all at the same time, safely?)
Comment by Samantha Gianulis — July 14, 2009 @ 7:20 pm