A New Chapter

Back in the early days of retirement I acquired a new car. I freely admitted on this blog that of habit I gave all my cars names and on that occasion, over 10 years ago now, the vehicle was named Miss Scarlet. Until the last 12 months we have had a happy relationship and I confess that I had never before hung onto a car so long. On reflection, however, my very first motor car (Sunshine Brum Brum - it was a rather bright and distinctive yellow) was elderly when I acquired it and probably outdid Miss Scarlet in vehicular years when for reasons of reliability, we were obliged to part company.

I have discovered in retirement that dependability is not quite as important as it was when the daily commute to work was a necessity. Cancelling or postponing leisure plans is no big deal and where I feel that I am obligated to commit, then cadging a lift from Mister E  has worked well too.

Unfortunately there comes a time when, after a couple of big repairs, the fear of continuously haemorrhaging funds to keep a car on the road not to mention dread of venturing too far and ending up stranded on a grass verge miles from home becomes too much to bear.

Last October and November, after Miss Scarlet spent weeks in the tender hands of mechanics, I began to explore the prospects for a replacement. At the time, electric vehicles held limited attraction and seemed expensive compared to their petrol counterparts. There is the added dilemma that as someone who very much thinks with her feet, the idea of being pushed into driving an automatic car held no appeal. 

Fast forward 10 months and the landscape appears to have altered or it certainly did when I test drove a Volkswagen ID3. I decided that I could see myself in something far more staid than I have been accustomed to drive regardless of the need for electric charging or automatic controls. When the salesman suggested that I could actually have the car I'd driven, capped at 1,000 miles with almost a 30% discount, it would quite simply have been rude not to have proceeded.

So it was that yesterday I took delivery of The Bug but oh my goodness what a learning curve. Mister E and I at one point even spent a good 10 minutes (and he's driven automatics for years) trying to figure out how to start it! I've ploughed my way through all the digital literature I can muster, as well as tweaking every switch and instrument on the control panel. This car seems to do everything, except cook dinner or maybe I'm just yet to find that option. 

Seriously, after more than 40 years knowing that the controls on one car will vary very little from another this is something totally alien. Save for acknowledging the difference in acceleration and engine size, the knowledge and ability needed to drive Sunshine or Miss Scarlet was indistinguishable. With The Bug it almost feels like I have had to sit down and learn to drive again from scratch and I'm guessing that the next week, despite all my efforts over the past two days, is going to come with a need for the rapid acquisition of knowledge and skill.

Bonding has nevertheless begun, aided by the fact that it talks to me. "Hello Bug.." has now become a natural  way for me to start up the conversation as I demand it turn up the air con, change the radio channel, dial a telephone number or read a text message. I've noted that for a small fee I can even add, via the app that manages its functions, a well-being package of mood music, ambient lighting and air con effects intended to reduce stress and physiological complaints. I won't be purchasing, after all it's a car not a spa, but could anyone retired today ever have imagined at the point they passed their driving test that this is what that licence would lead you to?

Long may we all have the alacrity of mind to keep up with technology and the changes we must bear. Fingers crossed they add to the driving experience!