I didn't need a brand new vehicle to overcome the fear of driving.
Gamit ko vintage vehicle - a 1973 volkswagen beetle. I've been driving that for more than 5 years. We had an older slower beetle rin noon (which we lost at an accident), at doon ako natutong magdrive.
Mag-isa ko lang nag-aalaga nito. I do not have a hubby to rely on. My father, who was previously driving this one, is unable to drive anymore because of his stroke. I have no male companion to help me with decisions and heavy car-related stuff or even trade driving chores.
I have to rely on a lot of decision-making, my almost-two-decades-old experience in driving, my five senses, my mechanic and occasionally, my gut feel. A observant neighbor, friend or stranger could be of help too, but not all the time.
While it's true na since it's an old vehicle, may mga major na sira, I'm still doing well with it because I learned how to "connect" with my car. Alam mo na kasi kung ano ang feel at tunog nun during normal operation. If you see, hear, smell, and feel something different, then it's time to bring it to the mechanic. This is true whether you own a new vehicle or not.
I also follow a definite preventive maintenance schedule. Yung every week, every 3 months, every 6 months and every year. Doon nadedetect ang sira. Make sure that you also have some "favorite" mechanic/s to call.
In addition, hindi rin mahal ang maintenance and repair expenses nito unlike many 15 year old vehicles.
So, I'm trying to point out that there's NO NEED for a new vehicle to overcome such fear.
It will help a lot if you try to learn more than just driving that thing. Huwag puro drive lang nang drive. You need to learn how to take care of it. As simple as washing that thing (wag naman parati sa car wash so you can inspect that thing closely), down to topping-up the liquids (oil, radiator, brake fluid, etc.), to checking any inconsistencies sa takbo ng makina when idle, etc. Even checking tires yourself, without bringing it to the gas station (again it's forces you to be alert sa condition ng tires mo). You do not need to learn how to repair though (I leave that to the mechanic), but you need to learn how to detect problems (use your five senses to "connect" to your car).
Those early detection of problems would mean a lot. That's why I recommend that you take care of your car in many simple ways - like what you do to your hair when it needs a parlor visit. Remember that the car is an "extension" of your self. It will be difficult to be comfortable with your car if you simply confine yourself to driving and leave the "dirty" stuff to the men. From experience, this was true to me - nakasandal ako sa tatay ko up to the time he suffered stroke and all that's left was that car and me.
Baka in time, matulad kayo sa akin na wala kayong male companion to rely on. It's pretty much diskarte na lang sa daan.
Of course, malaman di naman nating kayang mag-change tires, so you'll always need help. I recommend that you keep tools and a spare tire for it. You also need a working cellphone too, in case of emergencies and you get stuck.
