Make way for the learner driver in the BMW or a Lexus!

As Mr Peepaw drove around Sydney weaving in and out of traffic, I sat in the passenger seat like a stunned mullet for most of the trip and cursed the person who allowed the road rule for vehicles to park at allocated times on the side of the road that turns 2 lanes into 1. We were driving along nicely (not really) then all of a sudden brakes, blinkers and beeping as we merged into one lane. I kept thinking to myself, if I can survive Melbourne and the hook turn road rule and the form one lanes in Canberra, I can deal with this.

We were coming to a red light and something caught my eye on the car in front of us. An L plate displayed on a BMW X6 xdrive30D that costs roughly $80k-90k second hand. Words did not come out of my mouth, I turned to Mr Peepaw and mouthed ‘Are you serious?’.

We drove further and at the next set of lights we pulled up next to the learner. I tried not to make it obvious but my stare bear eyes were on. She was a tiny lady that could barely see over the dashboard.

It made me think about my first car, a yellow 1982 Mazda 323 2 door hatchback with a sun roof. That car transported my friends and I from A to B and if we tried to get to C it would’ve broken down. The sun roof was so old that when it rained the passenger would get a nice little shower. Forget music on a usb, this car was strictly radio and cassette. Who needed the gym when you would build muscle turning the steering wheel because there was no power streeing and don’t get me started on the windows, the Ab workout was intense.

Mr Peepaw Jr who is 17 will be getting his learners soon and has already started to ‘hint’ about utes that he likes which are way our of his price range. I purchased the mazda for $1000 (thanks Dad) with no BATNA at all. I think I just saw the car and said ‘I’ll take it!’

As I was reminiscing about my 323 Mazda I saw another L plate displayed but this time on a luxury Lexus. Who are these learners!?

Penelope Peepaw