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Original poster

to turn down this free car and offend the giver?

184 replies

tygertygerburningbright · 20/10/2013 18:12

I genuinely have no idea if I'm being a spoilt brat about this or not, so I welcome opinions!

I have taken about 20 driving lessons, I'm in my late twenties, and I'm fairly confident I'll pass my test before Christmas. I'm a lone parent and a student so don't have much money. My grandmother is paying for my driving lessons. Today she told me she would give me her car when I pass my test. Which of course is lovely! And I am most grateful for the offer. But... I'll try to list my hesitations..

It's a petrol, and I have learned in a diesel (had a few lessons in a petrol and honestly drove crap because I couldn't really get the hang of the whole needing the gas pedal to do manouvers etc when in a diesel its loads easier because you can just lift the clutch and go.) I know I may very well get used to a petrol in no time, but I am worried about it.

It's teeny tiny, like smaller than a Micra, smaller than any car other than a smart car I think. And I am 6 foot. There will be zero leg room in the back seat behind me. And I am training to work in a trade so I need a fair amount of room for tools etc, which there is none in this car.

It's not very nice... This is the crappiest reason ever not to want it, but basically I hate it and would never choose it in a million years.

All that said, I know it's very very nice of her to offer, and I do think maybe I'm being a bit ungrateful about it. A free car is a free car, and I don't think many people's first car is their dream car really. Also, she would be hugely offended if I said no.

I haven't said anything to my grandmother of course, because I think deep down even I know I'm being horrible...

OP posts:
Longdistance · 20/10/2013 18:51

Since when is there a difference between driving a petrol and deisel car? This news to me.

I gave up driving a petrol car (NissaX-Trail) for a deisel (Vauxhall Insignia), and there is no difference (apart from my Insignia having more power than the Nissan tank). That in itself is a rubbish reason.

Accept the little car graciously, and learn your real driving experience in that. After a year of no claims, I'm sure your insurance will come down after that, and you can then choose something yourself.
When you finish your course and start work, you'll be earning money, and may invest your money wisely in a brand new car with free insurance. Sometimes they do deals. I did this a fair few years ago and my insurance went down after I had the year with the free insurance.

Aniseeda · 20/10/2013 18:52

Your grandmother sounds awesome Grin

Is she giving up driving herself? If so, it might be that there is an element of hoping you will take the car to save her the stress of selling (not unreasonable for an elderly lady). You could thank her, explain the reasons it isn't the best car for you and see if she'd mind you using it as part exchange to get one which suits you better.

WMittens · 20/10/2013 18:52

tabulahrasa

With some diesel cars you can do maneuvers without using the accelerator

That applies to some petrol cars too.

Usernamegone · 20/10/2013 18:53

Accept the car. I have just got a diesel car after 15 years of driving petrol cars and I didn't notice a difference. Each car feels different to drive and it is something you will need to get used to (just as all shoes feel different to drive in)

If you accept the car and you can save up in the next year to buy something nicer. Invariably, you will most likely have a ding in your first year of driving (most probably parking) so you probably won't have that car for very long anyway.

HalfSpamHalfBrisket · 20/10/2013 18:55

Take the car!
I have had a sucession of cheap, shitty little cars (my current one was £700).

On the upside it means:
I pay peanuts for insurance (around £90/year).
I don't cry if I scratch it
I don't panic about leaving it overnight/in car parks,
& I use the money I've saved to go on exotic holidays.

Oriunda · 20/10/2013 18:56

It does sound like you have learnt to drive an automatic can you clarify? If so, then you should learn to drive manual because it will be useful.

Your first year's insurance, as a just qualified driver, will be very expensive. Assuming your grandmother' scar is sound etc the insurance should be relatively cheap as it's a small car. I would take the car, get it insured under your own name (you need to build up no claims etc) and then once you have a year under your belt, hopefully the insurance for your next car won't be as expensive.

SquirtedPerfumeUpNoseInBoots · 20/10/2013 18:57

Theres no difference in what fuel the car uses. It's a matter of getting used to a different clutch pedal.

You've said yourself she will be hurt. Take the car.

Good luck with your test.

ConfusedPixie · 20/10/2013 19:03

Take it, you won't get much for a grand! You also know the previous owner, which is a godsend when buying cars!

Love the username btw!

Blatherskite · 20/10/2013 19:06

I don't think there is a in the way cars drive based on the fuel they use.

I drive a petrol car. DH drives a Diesel. I swap between the two without noticing and regularly drive both within a few hours of each other.

I think there used to be a difference but not in the past 10 years or so.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 20/10/2013 19:07

I've got a diesel car and have never noticed a difference between it and my previous petrol cars.

Tallaween · 20/10/2013 19:08

Take the car OP - if you really don't like it, keep it for a year whilst you save up (you need more than a grand believe me, I sold my old Corsa a few months ago, it didn't start, I got £700 for it)

As for pushing the pedal down to start it, I have to depress the clutch to start my current car, it's petrol but it has a starter button rather than a key ignition.

I have had both petrol and diesel cars, no real difference that I have noticed, my first car was a diesel Citroen and I used to have to wait a while after turning it on for it to 'warm up' because of the hydrolic suspension, but other than that I can't think of any differences that I couldn't put down to it being differences in the cars themselves not the fuel.

HairyGrotter · 20/10/2013 19:08

I've always driven petrol cars, but DP's is diesel and I never knew there was a difference?! I've stalled it too!

Take the car, my first car was shit but it did the job!

froubylou · 20/10/2013 19:08

A second class ride is always better than a first class walk!

And a years no claims will make a difference to your insurance.

Stop being a brat and accept the car graciously. Make sure you offer to take your gm shopping in ot once you are used to it. And get used to it by driving to the florist and buying her a huge bunch of thankyou flowers.

Headagainstwall · 20/10/2013 19:09

I understand the petrol / diesel thing. I learnt in a diesel, then when I passed my test the only car I was allowed to drive was my dad's petrol car. I stalled & stalled, having not once done it when learning.

However I got used to it because I had no choice. Take the car, it'll take you about a day to get used to it. You can build up no claims in this banger, then when you get a nicer car your insurance will be cheaper.

tabulahrasa · 20/10/2013 19:13

"That applies to some petrol cars too."

I wouldn't know, it's never occurred to me to try since passing my test, lol, what I more meant was that it's not every diesel car, so really it's not a reason for choosing diesel unless you know it will.

HellYeah3 · 20/10/2013 19:17

I just passed my test so let me clarify on the petrol/diesel issue.
I learnt in a diesel and I was taught when pulling of to lift my foot slowly of the clutch completely before I started to accelerate which is why it takes learners ages to start lol. However now I drive a petrol and I find bite and accelerate at the same time. In a diesel if you can just use the clutch to do manoeuvres and only accelerate if you need to go slightly uphill.

anonacfr · 20/10/2013 19:17

Headagainstwall I had the exact opposite experience. I learnt in a petrol and bought a diesel. The fist few months I stalled constantly. I found that if I let go of the clutch too fast (the way I'd learnt in a petrol) I stalled.
The fact that I live on a hill didn't help things. Specially when it came to parking. Grin

It's definitely the car, not the fuel.

Iaintdunnuffink · 20/10/2013 19:18

I switched over to a diesel last year and hadn't notice day difference.

If you'd be getting a years insurance I'd go for it. By the time you have to pay for your own you'd have built up some kind of no claims. Hopefully ;)

anonacfr · 20/10/2013 19:19

Hellyeah that doesn't work at all in my diesel car. If I let go of the clutch before I accelerate I stall. I have to accelerate loads and let go of the clutch slowly as I'm accelerating.

DontmindifIdo · 20/10/2013 19:21

Another thought, once you have passed your test, you could pay your instructor to do a lesson or two in the petrol car to help you get used to it. (much cheaper than buying and insuring and taxing a whole different car!)

HellYeah3 · 20/10/2013 19:21

Well that's what I was taught and same with all my friends so I'm guessing that is what the OP means. You have to let the clutch out super super slow though.

ImperialBlether · 20/10/2013 19:22

OP, how many of us do you think drive our dream car?

LunaticFringe · 20/10/2013 19:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gordyslovesheep · 20/10/2013 19:23

yes Hellyeah I still think you mean an automatic car - My diesel, and the one before it drove the same as my petrol car - I start, find the bite and go and I use the accelerator in the exact same way and I did in the 5 petrol cars I have had

gordyslovesheep · 20/10/2013 19:24

Lunatic so you stand by your 'can't stall a diesel' idea then Grin