"could have"?

Hello

Would you look at the following sentence?

#1 I wish I could drive a car then.
I found this sentence in the answer of the exercise. Does this make sense? I think #1 should be #2 because there is "then."
#2 I wish I could have driven a car then.
I'll be happy to know the answer.

Thank you. :)

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by Lina

Hello

Would you look at the following sentence?

#1 I wish I could drive a car then.
I found this sentence in the answer of the exercise. Does this make sense? I think #1 should be #2 because there is "then."
#2 I wish I could have driven a car then.
I'll be happy to know the answer.

Thank you. :)

then doesn't mean, in the past, back then; it means, in that case:

#1 I wish I could drive a car then (i.e., in that case).

Pat: I can't drive you to work today, sorry.
Max: No problem. I'll take the bus.
Pat: But the next bus is in two hours. You'll be late for work.
Max: In that case, I'll call a taxi ~ I'll call a taxi, then.
Pat: But a taxi will cost you $40!
Max: In that case, I wish I could drive a car ~ I wish I could drive a car, then.