To have a car when I only do very minimal driving

[Princedelight]

I have a car on finance. High interest(bad credit rating). 2 years left on finance. Its affordable to me.

However, I barely drive. Back story. Late learner. Very anxious re:driving.

Bought car straight after passing, on a bit of a whim.
Plan was to drive lots. Plan never happened. My anxiety about driving has improved loads ,but I'm still a shit ,inexperienced driver! It's never really taken off.

I do drive daily but its just school run, shops etc. Appointments. Apart from big supermarket shop, nothing I couldn't do on foot/public transport.

Up to now, I suppose I like my little car and I like the fact that I have my independence if I need it,or do actually have to drive(rare).
DP has his own car and drives a lot and does all the big trips/holidays and days out.

I've just sat here thinking why am I wasting my money- car finance, petrol, insurance etc for literally 100 miles a month. Its mad isn't it? I'm thinking sensible thing is to get rid when finance is up.
I could get bloody taxis for less. Or is it wise to keep driving and have my own car as back up.

I think you are being a bit hard on yourself OP. As you say late to learn and lacking confidence yet you can and do still drive. You might not be doing hundreds of miles but you are doing it. Having the ability to drive makes things like the shopping much easier, I know you can get a bus but carting it back you need to be mindful of what you can manage.

Ive been driving for 19 years and only since I’ve had my DD who is 6 started driving on the motorway. I’m the only driver so it had to be me and when taking her to things like visiting Santa they were always by using the motorway. I hated it, every last minute. We are just back from a week away and then out again today on a trip and I drove the motorway each time. I don’t hate it now, i just don’t like it 😂 but I can do it. I like you plan my trips, check them on the maps before booking anything and if I’m 100% honest I never book anything more than 1 hours drive away as I feel that’s my limit. You have yours and have made improvements as you are already less nervous. Things will come in time and as a PP said about her friend, you never know one day you might just need to and keeping the car keeps up your practice and keeps you growing.

I would keep the car .so many people say catch the bus ,user or whatever, but the freedom to go out with your dc in the holidays ,meet a friend go for a run out at we is great 👍.

Well I've got to keep the car for now anyway as I don't want the hassle of getting out of the finance or the cost.

I suppose that I bought it really without as much thought as I should have.
Really sat and worked out what I wanted it for.
I guess DPs comment that it 'needs a good run out 'made me feel a bit inadequate. As most people do give their card a good run out!

Everyone that I know in RL actually use their cars a lot. Not just piddly trips to the shops. Motorways, days out, visiting relatives etc.
I don't really!

All my car trips are very short drives pretty much, ones I could do easily without a car. The only really helpful ones that I do are ferrying kids to activities when DP is unable to as they clash. Otherwise,he does them himself as he's quite involved.

In hindsight , when I passed my test I should have said to DP its not worth me having my own car. So we need a suitable car between us.
However, I suppose at the time when i passed I wasn't expecting to drive so little!!!
Now the damage is done and I've bought a car thats barely used and he has his own large manual that I can't drive anyway.

I think this sort of situation depends where you live. If you live somewhere with a good bus and/or train (or tram) service, and these days online shopping means can get heavy shopping delivered, it's probably not worth having a car. Especially if you have a car club nearby where you can get a car easily if you need one.

But otherwise, if it's easier and more convenient and you can afford it, it makes sense.

We run two cars and don't really need two when it's just DH and me, but it's useful when DS comes home from uni. We can afford it and one car is a hybrid, so it's ok for now. We might get rid of one when ds gets his own place though. If we had a car club in our town I'd have one car and just "borrow" a car if we needed an extra one. Sadly we don't.

It's a good point that if you get rid of it you will never drive though, and in my view it's important for women to keep their independence.

@reigatecastle
Well yes, once car goes I won't drive again. Otherwise I may as well keep it.

I only learned in my 40s so it's only going to get harder.
I think unless some miracle happens or I'm forced into driving more somehow then I will be in this same position 2 years from now when my finance is paid.

I live in a big city and its no problem getting anywhere locally.

However, I had to car the be able to go to places non local. The reality is I'm not doing that. So the car is pretty much redundant. I have all the major ones near me. All deliver as well.

I think just having the car mithers me somewhat, reminding me that I'm hardly driving.
I can't help but think that getting rid of it would make me feel better as then I can't drive so all the worry goes!!!
I'm hardly really going to miss it!

I learnt later in life and am an anxious driver. Cannot do motorways and just do local journeys. I wfh now so drive even less. When my old car gave up the ghost we decided to try and just have the one car and I hated it! It made me more isolated and I hated having to plan everything for when my husband was around so I could use the car. Picked up my new car at the weekend and pleased to have one again

I was thinking you could plan a weekend day trip with a friend who is a confident driver. Go out to the countryside. Sightsee a bit. Doing that more would help you gain some confidence and it wouldn't be associated with a chore you have to do. Right now, you haven't had any fun experiences with it.
My mum didn't learn to drive until her mid 40s. She wouldn't drive on large motorways(interstate where she lived) but she would drive everywhere else. She
always had a large sedan which fit her and us 3 kids.

My DD was a little nervous about driving until she had to go pick her grandma up across the country and drive back just the two of them. She's been confident ever since and has even driven uber eats on the weekend.
I think several small trips and a big one would give you the confidence you need.

@emptythelitterbox
Very true.none of my driving is associated with fun. Its always connected with a chore and added with the not wanting to drive in first place, isn't the best experience!!

I would keep the car in your position. Especially as you are a nervous driver, you won't improve by not having a car. In fact, borrowing dhs car when you rarely drive is even more stressful.

Also, think about if you are 70 and don't have the energy to walk/wait for buses. It is nice to have the car, especially in bad weather. You could take a drive 20 miles away once every few weeks to 'give the car a good run' even if you don't need to go to a particular place.

Also it doesn"t feel nice to have to 'book' the use of the one car. It must be very stressful when you both work. What I noticed is that public transport take ages, can be unreliable etc.

Very understandable why you currently see it the way you do.

Not sure how old your DC are but maybe planning a day trip might turn out to be fun for all of you. The looking and planning together can be fun.

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www.iamroadsmart.com/membership/local-groups