Ode to my New Ride

First new car in 10 years

I have always been a bit perplexed by the fascination that people (mostly men) have with their cars. It was only recently that I actually got a new car, well new-ish. It’s a 2024 Nissan Rogue with 5,000 miles on it so it’s not brand new but it’s loaded which is kind of awesome. I’m certain that had I bought a 2025 model, I would not have sprung for all of the bells and whistles- the moon roof, the heated seats in the front AND the back, you get the picture. But there it was and I couldn’t resist.

My last car was a practical Toyota Prius that I bought when I moved to Vermont full-time. It seemed the right thing to do and I LOVED the gas mileage. I could often get 50 miles to the gallon. I considered getting another hybrid or even more daringly an electric vehicle. but with the lack of support from Washington on building infrastructure for EVs, the fairly low mileage that I put on my car these days, and a nudge from my husband, I went with the Nissan. As I was agonizing about what to do my husband reminded me how much I used to love my Nissan Murano. I did love that car. I believe it was the car after the minivan. I loved how it looked and I especially loved how comfortable it was inside.

This reminded me of a similar conversation we had about getting our last dog. I was feeling the pressure to get a rescue but my wise husband counseled me to just get the dog you want. Which turned out to be a wonderful labrador retriever. Sometimes spouses can be very helpful in reminding us of what matters the most.

There was a time some years ago when said husband made a very bold and dare I say, extravagant purchase of a Porsche Replica car. It was a lovely butter color, and he was smitten. His father had recently passed away, leaving him a bit of money, so he felt emboldened to spend it on whatever he damn well wanted. I learned about the purchase after it had already been made. Sure I was mildly irritated that he had not consulted me but I was more horrified at the prospect of driving it around our home town in Massachusetts. It felt so utterly ostentatious. I was used to driving around town in my practical mini-van shlepping kids to soccer games and practices with two standard poodles hanging out the windows. I couldn’t bring myself to zoom around town in a buttery Porsche. And let’s be real, it did nothing for my immaculately coiffed hair. It was not long after this that we moved to Vermont and he proudly brought his buttery Porsche to a car show in our own White River Junction. I think he actually won a ribbon which delighted him to no end.

Finally, however, he acknowledged that it might have been a bit much and perhaps he should sell it. As a testament to his love for the car, he actually returned it to the seller in British Columbia by putting it on a train cross-country. Not to be deprived of one final ride down the coast highway in the Northwest, he flew out to meet the car and deliver it over the last miles to its new owner. I thought all of this was just absurd, still do, come to think of it. But sometimes moments like this in a marriage need to just float on by without a big fuss. I give myself huge points for not making it a federal case.

But back to my new ride. As I’ve written before, I am increasingly befuddled by technology. This, as a girl who spent her career at technology companies. The things that this car can do are stunning. I already mentioned the heated seats which I covet. The other day my husband was behind the wheel and complained that his rear end was burning up. Get with the program, dude, these are heated seats! This is my favorite thing about this car.

There is a driving assist feature that actually helps you drive straight. No kidding. If you turn on this feature and you begin to drift into the next lane, the car corrects you. I’m not sure how much I want a bossy car but maybe it’s a good thing. Time will tell. There is a back-up camera that also alerts you if you are close to hitting something next to or behind the car. Another bossy feature.

There is a charging pad for my iPhone which is kind of sweet and a very robust console for music, directions and more.

I predict it will be months, maybe years, before we uncover all of the features of this car. Sure, I could just sit down and read the manual, but that seems like a cop out. We’re planning a road trip later this year out to Colorado so that will give us plenty of time to figure it all out as we go.

And in a nod to my youth and a long-ago nickname given to me by some young, smart colleagues, I have ordered a vanity plate- PDOG. Look for me around town.