Driving new car anxiety

[Annie2163]

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.

If it’s a new car it will presumably have amazing inbuilt sensors and rear view tv screen etc so it’s actually pretty impossible to have a parking accident

Life is too short and full of enough stress and anxieties to be anxious about a car, imo. If it gets scratched, it can be repaired. If you're in a crash, presumably you're appropriately insured and really all that matters is that you're okay. The way you're driving is actually probably going to make you more likely to have an accident, drive confidently and competently as I'm sure you did in your previous cars. I probably wouldnt drive full pelt over a pothole in a brand new car (or any car, really), I would avoid if safe to do so, if not there isnt much you can do.

Sounds like your husband is an arse, shouting at you while driving, but presumably thats a different thread!

It’s a car, a piece of metal, I don’t drive anymore but I can say my husband would careless about the car if it was scraped etc as long as I wasn’t injured. Don’t overthink it, more likely to have an accident if your worrying OP.

They will have to prize my manual car from my cold dead hands! I absolutely refuse to get an automatic.

Why didn't you have more of a say in the new car since you're the one who'll be driving it most of the time?

I understand how you’re feeling OP. If you’re used to an old car, it feels very intimidating to be driving something so new and modern.

When we got our new car, I took it for a drive somewhere quiet, not much traffic, no passengers and just drove it around getting used to the controls. Then parked up in a supermarket at the quiet end and did a few manoeuvres.

Driving a new automatic is much, much easier than driving an old banger. In a week or so you will wonder what you were worrying about, I promise you. And if you’re worried about accidents etc, then invest in a decent dash cam.

I’ve driven different cars & hire cars but refuse to drive an automatic or anything too big. I’ll probably be one of the last people driving a petrol car given the conversion to electric/auto.

If you read OP's other threads though you'll see what a dick he is.

I had only ever driven a manual to pass my test and then didn't drive at all for over a decade because of living in a more urban area, then we moved to the suburbs and I had to get used to driving DH's modern, hi-tech automatic. I actually find it so much easier now than my old manual, all the cameras are so helpful for parking and navigating tight carparks, and not having to even think about gear changes or hill starts is great. Just take it out for drives to places you feel more confident to start with and then build up to more challenging places once you feel more comfortable.