To not hire a car to get to DN's party, even if this means we can't all go?

[AsToldByGingerMyGrassIsGreen]

The family car broke down today & mechanic will need 7-10 days to seek out the part & replace - total cost expected to be around £1750 which will pretty much empty the current account, although we do have a reasonable amount in savings.

My DN's pre-wedding party is being held this week around 150 miles from where we live - this is a pretty big thing in our culture. With the family car being out of order, we have 3 possible options,

(a) take DH's car, which will fit four of us & the rest can stay with friends here. Friends are happy to have them & kids are happy to stay with them.
(b) hire a car, will cost £350 for the weekend
(c) take the coach, will cost £170 & be quite difficult with luggage + presents + kids

DH & I were leaning towards option (a). Hopefully the car will be ready by the actual wedding, in a fortnight, but if it isn't we will make every effort to attend.

However, Dsis (not the one whose DC is getting married) seems to think this is VVVU and we should be happy to spend a few hundred £s so that we can all be at the pre-wedding party too.

WIBU to still go ahead with (a), despite this? WWYD?

A) for sure

How many children do you have and how old? Anyone got their own car?

I'd try for option A if anything, definitely not either of the others.

Have you spoken to your niece/nephew and told them the problem?

Will you be going to the actual wedding? if so then A for sure.
No doubt you will be spending £££ on travel/accommodation/presents etc for the wedding.
Go in Dh's car and have a great time.

"this is a pretty big thing in our culture"

That's why she's upset, yes?

I think you have to decide if it's worth the money for something that is seen as really really really important.

do you share the belief that this event is a massive deal?

A, c or look for a cheaper car hire. That's a lot for a weekend car hire!!

A, c or look for a cheaper car hire. That's a lot for a weekend car hire!!

Could your DH drive in his car with some of the kids and luggage, while the rest of you take the coach with no luggage?

How many children would you be leaving behind and how old are they?
And why can't you fit 5 people in DH's car - is it really tiny or is it a carseat thing?

Thank you for the responses. To answer the questions raised;

I have 5 DC, all living at home/back home for the summer. The only cars in the household are mine & DH's.

If we take DH's car, we will take the eldest with us as he is close to DN & also the youngest. This would leave the three teens, who are v happy to stay alone. There is also the option of staying with friends, if they wish to do this.

Yes, we have spent a considerable amount on presents, outfits etc and I don't feel comfortable dipping into savings for this.

Tbh, I don't see the party as being 'really really really important'. Ideally, we would all attend but it doesn't seem logical to do so at such expense. We will definitely all attend the wedding.

Car hire is so expensive as we need a seven seater to get us all there.

You have answered your question right there in your last posting.
Take DH car, take the eldest most wanted son and the youngest. Cheap, takes a middle ground, everyone happy. (especially the teens who will probably be delighted to watch TV all weekend!)

The three teens will get to see everyone at the wedding, so they won't miss out too much.

Could the older ones go on public transport and you take their luggage and presents in the car?

Or d) get dsis to pay for the car hire if she thinks it's that important and wants to stick her oar in.

That's an awful lot for a weekend car hire. I've just paid Hertz £134 for a car from Friday morning to Tuesday evening.

Can't you hire a small, cheap car and take DH's as well?

option D hire a minibus, they are normally cheaper

I would do A but if you did want to go then I would hire a small car and take that with DHs so you can all go. Far cheaper than you all driving together.

If your sister still kicks up then tell her you would be happy to hire a car if she will pay the cost!

take the car, and let two of the teens go on the coach, IF they want to go.

I have just spoken to DN. He says that he understands if we can't all make it, but hopes that at least some of us can.

Taking two cars isn't feasible, as I don't drive on motorways after a v bad experience some years ago.

The minibus suggestion is a good one though, I will look into that tomorrow. Otherwise taking the car + three on the coach may be ok. I will talk to DH & the DC and see what they think.

Thanks for all the replies

Your 350 figure seems high even taking into account the need for a 7 seater, Enterprise gives me a figure of £180 for weekend car hire for an mpv

a)... and if it's so important to DSIS that you're all there, she can pay. Simple.

Hi Tyler80

I've just checked Enterprise, after seeing your post, and they charge slightly less than the previous quotes I was given, but at £312 it's still a lot of money. Maybe it's more expensive in London, or because it's last minute?

Try a price comparison website like Kayak, they're normally fairly good for deals on a daily rate.

I used to commute back and forth to Ireland and the trains were so hideously expensive and needed taxis to get from the airport (Cork) to the station anyway that car hire worked out far cheaper.

I must have driven every car in the compact or economy class by now...!