Freak Out

Right around Christmas, I bought a new car. It’s all a very long story and not at all interesting, but the point of it all is that I bought another Nissan Rogue. That makes it my third and basically that’s all I’ve driven for as long as Alexis has been around.

I had been plotting my next car for a long time, which means I had spreadsheets and lists and HOOBOY CAN I DO SOME RESEARCH. It was all for nothing, though, because I basically woke up one Saturday and was like, “I’m just going to go buy THIS car and whatever.” I didn’t test drive anything else and basically ignored all of the homework I had done.

::Shrugh::

In doing so, I didn’t really consider my “second choice,” which was a Jeep Cherokee. That means, of course, that when it came time to take a few work trips, I picked a Jeep Cherokee for my rental car. I kinda thought maybe I would work my way into regretting buying the Rogue? Maybe? I don’t know, but I was expecting to like the Jeep Cherokee.

I SUPER DIDN’T.

I mean, there were things about it that were nice. The fancy GPS and comfy seats and most excellent cupholders all made an impression. But that thing where Jeeps turn off when you stop at a traffic light? OMG.

OH. EM. GEE.

I have driven Jeeps a total of about 10 days this year, and NEVER AGAIN. Every single time I stop at a traffic light, I end up with a jolt of panic. WHY MUST THE CAR SHUT OFF. I know, I know … fuel conservation. But, have any of y’all ever driven a stick? Stalling when I’m supposed to be going is basically my manual engine nightmare. I get the shakes just thinking about being caught in traffic and stalling. THE JEEPS DO IT ON PURPOSE. I mean, I know they start right back up as soon as you take your foot off the brake, but my heart doesn’t know that. It’s too busy flipping out to listen to my logical brain.

Basically, me driving in traffic looks like a heart stress study. I am better equipped to handle a room full of hungry preschoolers who haven’t slept in days than I am to deal with a car that just … shuts off. I was in a near panic CONSTANTLY, to the point that I started taking back roads just so I wouldn’t come across any traffic lights.

By the way, I taught myself how to drive a stick by driving around on back roads in my old Ford Ranger when I was 14. I had my license at 14 because North Dakota is a weird place. I drove around at 2:00 in the morning, stalling constantly until eventually I didn’t. Why exactly the police officer who definitely saw me didn’t pull me over, I will never know. I only stalled four times in one block with him looking on … at age 14. At 2:00 in the morning.

And now let’s all freak out because Alexis will be 14 in a blink. She most definitely isn’t anywhere near being ready to drive a pickup truck by herself at 2:00 am …

Comments

[Tracy]

New Ford Escapes do that too... it will likely become nearly standard. But - yes - weird!

I'd imagine growing up in Pittsburgh is far different for Alexis than your experience in North Dakota. It's hard for me to imagine 14 year olds driving in any town, but it just depends on the norms of that region (and timeframe of course!).

I have a 17 year old with a drivers' license, and another child turning 16 this month (so she'll get her permit soon). With PA's current law, you can't get your permit until you're 16 and then you can't take your drivers test until 6 months past the date you get your permit. That 6 months is a loooong time. Plus Alexis is so mature, I can see her being a strict rule-follower with driving, etc. I have a 13 year old as well, and yeah I can't imagine her driving... but in 3 years... she will be ready. I mean, sure, the gray hairs will come for sure, but she'll be fine when the time comes.