Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Driving new car anxiety

108 replies

Annie2163 · 31/05/2026 04:10

Have had our Ford Fiesta for 14 years. It is a lovely car, and still actually have it haven’t sold it yet as been told I will get nothing for it, so better off keeping for now. Prior to this had driving lessons in a Clio so only two cars I’ve driven my entire life.

DH has been talking for a while for a new car and over half term we went to look around. It feels like a really quick decision but within 2 days we saw and bought a new car! It was his decision entirely and I don’t feel I had a say. Problem is this car is considered a “luxury” car and I’m terrified of driving it. DH is very protective of it. We’ve had it 1 day so far but I feel I will never be comfortable driving it. I feel so anxious. The fiesta is about to pack it in any second so I may not have a choice but I can’t even imagine driving the new car.

The thought of parking it in my work car park fills me with dread as the parking is limited so people double park etc. my fiesta has had a few scratches in work over the years but there’s no cameras in car park so I never bothered chasing it up. I’m having anxiety about driving the new car to work. Also school pick ups and drop offs how the heck will I do it? People often park on the pavement but will I damage the wheel alloys of the new car? What about going food shopping will it get scratches? I’m so anxious. Please talk me down! To add my fiesta is manual and very basic and this is automatic and seems like millions of controls and functions.

I did drive the new car around the block and my feet are so used to 3 pedals that I accidentally braked whilst trying to accelerate! DH was not happy! My Kids in back of car being funny and kept shouting “we’re all gonna die” 😂 My eldest has told me already he feels safer with dad driving and I shouldn’t drive it. It’s only been one day so I’m hoping I will get more confident.

OP posts:
mumumental · 31/05/2026 05:31

To be honest, I think you are the one who needs to calm down.

TheHungryHungryLandsharks · 31/05/2026 05:31

It’s only a car, who cares if it gets scratched?

^ that needs to be your mentality.

And yes, your DH buying a high-range car and you not being able to buy even a cheap runaround is actually important - because you’re more likely to crash if you’re nervous (nervous drivers are literally the cause of nearly ever near miss or accident I see) and thus endanger others or yourself or just simply be a liability on the road. You can get two ford fiestas second hand, or a Skoda Octavia and a ford fiesta for the price of what most people consider to be ‘luxury.’ So it is relevant.

But as I said. It’s a car. Who cares if the wheels get scratched or the paint gets chipped?

If you can afford a luxury car, you should be able to afford the cosmetic work/costs associated (including servicing for accidents such as mounting corners and knocking out wheels if you skid on black ice something I did in February and which cost £1.5 to fix as I damaged the suspension as well - as an example of just how unpredictable driving can be). And if you can’t, then you have no business driving it - that’s not to say you can’t afford it, but if you can then don’t worry. It’s only a car.

And if your DH is being a dick about you driving it, then he should have gotten two smaller cars (or even one smaller one) instead.

Original poster
Annie2163 · 31/05/2026 05:10

BlackBean2023 · 31/05/2026 05:08

So DH can buy a luxury car with no consultation but you have no disposable income to buy a run around?

I think you have bigger problems than just not being able to drive the car, which you will get used to, but other people also will ding in car parks!

OMG! Can we stick to the topic in discussion rather than an analysis of my marriage.

Edited to add it’s not your business how or why he bought it. He might have gotten an inheritance, he might have been gifted money or he MIGHT have saved up for years. None of this is up for discussion. My question is how do I get over the fear of driving the new car so please calm down I’m not asking for marriage advice.

OP posts:
BlackBean2023 · 31/05/2026 05:08

So DH can buy a luxury car with no consultation but you have no disposable income to buy a run around?

I think you have bigger problems than just not being able to drive the car, which you will get used to, but other people also will ding in car parks!

Original poster
Annie2163 · 31/05/2026 05:08

@UncleTed thank you x

OP posts:
Original poster
Annie2163 · 31/05/2026 05:07

@BlackBean2023 that won’t be possible as I don’t have any disposable income.

OP posts:
UncleTed · 31/05/2026 05:06

I get this completely. I never had a new car until 3 years ago and it was very difficult, having driven second hand or older my whole life. It doesn’t matter how careful I am—someone else could drive into the back of me(this happened to me a couple of weeks after getting the new car). I don’t really like driving anymore, particularly in the dark.
I have got used to it a bit over time, you have to accept that accidents may happen in life, it is an inherent risk of driving. The only way to guarantee your car never gets scratches is to leave it in your garage and never drive it. Obviously not practical at all. In the end it’s just a thing—as long as it keeps the people inside safe which new cars are MUCH better at doing with all the extra safety features they have.
The more you drive it, the more you will get used to it being automatic. It will be ok 💐

BlackBean2023 · 31/05/2026 05:03

Buy your own car?

Swipe left for the next trending thread