Was that a Hot Flash or a Hot Car?
By Cathy Droz
Grandparents are not only young at heart, but in a lot of instances, we are chronologically young as well. Though we may be thinking about the coolest vehicle we can own and travel in, we may also be thinking about what vehicle is the safest to transport our grandchildren. Whether you’re the daily caretaker, once a week babysitter, or three times a year time-share grandparent, I have some recommendations for you.
Here we are empty nesters, finally able to afford the car of our dreams, or at least a close facsimile. We don’t have to worry about candy wrappers or mud-laden soccer balls rolling around in the cargo area anymore. The last time someone vomited in your car it was your neighbor desperately needing a ride home from a New Year’s Eve party, not your five-year-old.
There is no need to be practical or economical any more. You can now have that flashy color to match your hot flashes, or a SUV that says you’re cool even if you don’t know what a fob is. Perhaps you might get a few options you couldn’t have pronounced, no less afforded in your thirties or forties, but hey, this vehicle should be about you and your current lifestyle.
There is no reason to get a minivan just because you haul the grandbabies around, or a crossover station wagon that makes you look more like a Nanny than a Granny. You can get what you want; hip, stylish, gas conscious, and appropriate for the country club, yet safe and suitable for Chucky Cheese.
So that you don’t feel completely self-centered about spending all the grandchildren’s college fund on a car, you might want to check out something like a $24,000, Dodge Nitro. I think the Nitro, especially in red, will make grandpa feel forty again, grandma feel pre-menopausal, and the “pre-teen” grandchildren actually acknowledge you in front of their friends.
With any car I test drive I look for cup holders that fit sippies, lattes and big gulps. I like DVD players to keep all the generations occupied from newborns to Neanderthals. I suggest you check your auto’s technology features; like hookups for computers, i pods, and Bluetooth (not a dental term). Also make sure that there is plenty of storage both in and out of sight for the games, the wet ones, and the Sinatra tapes.
There are so many vehicles for every lifestyle; cars that will fit your particular passions, partner status, environmental concerns, or budget. Let’s examine together the transportation choices that are available for you and your family.
Compare Mercedes to Lexus for performance, car safety seat tethering and luxury in my next installment.
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Read about Cathy Droz featured on GrowingBolder.com
Cathy Droz's articles are included in 55+ Alive!
Grandma Droz has 20 years of automotive marketing experience. She test drives cars for manufacturers and journals her evaluations in print, radio, TV and the internet. Droz writes a weekly column with her daughter Melanie called Boomer and X and has a successful radio show called Two for The road with broadcast partner Bill Z. The proud grandmother of Jayden Droz, she spends as much time with her as she can and takes her on her test drives for fun and research. For more on Cathy and her lifestyle journalism go to www.twofortheroadusa.com
