First off, let me introduce myself. I am, as of this writing, 42. I'm married with two daughters, have a college degree and have held various professional-level jobs throughout my career. We're a middle class family and I handle just about everything at home, although I refuse to mow the lawn (Hey- I have to draw the line somewhere)! I'd like to think I'm organized, competent, fairly intelligent and a hard worker.
We've entered a new era in our home: my 15-year-old daughter, who happens to be my oldest, got her temps last week (let us all bow our heads for a moment of silent prayer). Fred (what we'll call hubby) and I take turns letting her drive. At least it's forcing me to exercise more- I get in the passenger's seat at home, she drives three blocks until we reach the end of our neighborhood, I get out of the car- Chinese Fire Drill!- and into the driver's seat to navigate the busier four lane road, then on to the next neighborhood. You get the picture.
My car is older- a 2001 Taurus. I have over 135,000 miles on it. Just so we're all clear- SO not the car I want- but it gets me around. I've been having issues with my car lately (wow, big surprise, right)? What do I do? Stupid move #1- I tell my dad in one of my e-mails. And, stupid move #2, I mention I think it might be the transmission. Count three seconds from the time I send the e-mail to when my phone rings. Guess who? I'm sure you know how the call went- who told you it was the transmission? Where are you going to take it? And of course it wasn't just the questions, it was the TONE of the call.
Let me give you a brief background on my dad. He has a garage FULL of car parts, including engines. He buys cars (currently BMWs) that don't work correctly just so he can fix them up and "get a good deal" when he sells them. He raced stock cars in the 1960s, so this obsession has been going on a long time. After I got my Taurus, he said to me at one point, "I have a Taurus starter. Do you want it?" Huh? Who buys parts BEFORE they need them?
Because of my dad's love of cars, I consider myself a slightly above-average female when it comes to cars. I can distinguish between just about every make of car, I know what a radiator, starter and alternator are. I can change a tire, I know how to check my oil, add washer fluid and I can change my windshield wiper blades. I even helped dad rebuild the electrical system of a car when I was in high school (last time I asked to do that)!
I'm not deluding myself, though; there is a tremendous amount I don't know about cars. But, guess what, I have boobs. I could know how to change out my own engine, but it wouldn't matter because I am a woman. And it doesn't matter if the man on the other end of the conversation is extremely knowledgeable like my father or can't tell the difference between a 4 cylinder and a V6. He has a "manhood", which means, by birth, he knows more about cars than I do.
So I am dedicating this site to all of us women who have cars (or are just learning to drive!) and are not only tired of the condescending attitude, but really want to understand how to be better car owners. We can manage households, hold jobs, raise children (etc, fill in the blank); we can most certainly learn how to keep our cars running longer, teach our children how to as well and save money in the meantime! (hmmm... this is reminiscent of and old Enjoli perfume commercial...)
