to turn down this free car and offend the giver?

[tygertygerburningbright]

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...

how long does this car have on its MoT? What will it need to pass the next MoT? Has grandma maintained it?

no-one has mentioned repair bills.

Like OP, I also did my lessons in a diesel, and after passing immediately bought a petrol car. The first few days in the petrol car were very frustrating because I did not understand why I kept stalling! In the diesel I could do clutch control easily, in my car the clutch almost always needs gas assistance.

OP after a few days I was fine. I now switch between the diesel and petrol very regularly and don't notice the difference anymore. I think you should take the car.

I'm not stupid. It was a diesel, I learnt with gears and when I put fuel in I put in diesel. Out of interest how long ago did you learn to drive?

I think we should be told what the make of car is?

I think I would take the car and then save up to get something better in a couple of years.

erm I think that op is referring to it being impossible to stall a diesel you said it was impossible

12 years ago - I get a new car every 2 years - some petrol some diesel - never noticed any difference between them

Oh for god sake. There is a difference. Of course there is or why would the majority of driving instructors all have diesel cars. I give up you are clearly being difficult on purpose.

OP take the car - if it really doesn't work for you trade it in :)

Take it.

And DON'T worry about it being a petrol car! I learnt in a diesel and then my first car was a petrol - with a choke!

If this is a car she already owns, have a go driving it and see how you fit in it. If you genuinely can't drive it because of the size, then you have a valid reason to decline.

Your insurance is going to cost a fortune whatever you drive, so take the free car & count yourself lucky! Our car costs a grand, & insurance plus road tax cost a grand too - so £2k overall. We are late twenties/early thirties, have had a license for over 10 yrs but never owned a car before.

How old is the car she plans to give you? Will she buy a new one for herself?

Oh for god sake. There is a difference. Of course there is or why would the majority of driving instructors all have diesel cars. I give up you are clearly being difficult on purpose.

Diesel is usually cheaper to run if you do a lot of miles. I've just changed to a diesel from a petrol and I haven't noticed much other difference. Mind you it is a lot newer than my old car so I may have put it down to that.

I also need to press the clutch to start it. It has a start button which won't work unless the clutch is pressed.

No difference between petrol and diesel. We had a succession of Ford Escorts, all petrol or diesel and no difference in driving at all. With a diesel you have to wait a second on some of them for a light to go out when the plugs heat up before starting the engine fully.

You are mad to even think of turning it down. No doubt, being a careful old lady (I am generalising here) she will have had the car serviced and cared for properly. You could spend 10,000 and still get a car with unknown problems. Once you can drive properly you can get used to any car very quickly - otherwise how would hire companies hire out so many cars?

My 6'2" DS got a sturdy 1.0L petrol car for his birthday last Christmas. Not trendy, not fast, but strong and well made in the event of a teenage boy accident, not even a very nice colour. He was very very grateful, in fact he cried, and if he hadn't been he'd have had quite a few privileges withdrawn.

I think you need to grow up and be thankful for what you're being offered. I think I've heard it all now

Have you tried out the car?

The only valid reason you have given is size. Take it for a test drive, with your work tools in the back, and if you are genuinely squished, getting cramps in your legs, or you cannot fit your toolbox in the back, then you could turn it down.

But I think you will really struggle to find a larger car at a price you can afford.

Out of interest, what type of car is it anyway? I drive an Aygo, which is very small, and has a tiny boot. I am very short (5 foot) so it has never been uncomfortable for me, but I can see how it would be for someone who is 6 foot tall.

The petrol diesel thing is just silly. What happens if your car breaks down and you need a hire car for a week? Are you going to turn it down and use public transport/ legs for a week because it has the wrong kind of fuel?

For fuck sake. I said when you pull away not when you start the engine and actually it was a diesel yaris and I have been driving for 18months now and my sister has been driving for 6years in 5 different cars (2diesels) agrees that it is near impossible to stall a diesel once you have learnt basic clutch control. I think you lot are just out of date about learning to drive and the how different it is when you have been taught and have only driven a diesel which is the position the OP is in. So the whole their is no diffence isn't helping her/him.

bit stressy there hellyeah3! Diesels do stall if you release the clutch too quickly, just like petrols, simple and straightforward fact.

Fright let me clarify I agree really there is no difference WHEN you are experienced and have driven a petrol car as you can drive the diesel the same way. My mum also didn't think there was a difference until I tried to drive my petrol car the way I was taught in a diesel. You lot are not being helpful by saying the OPs concerns are silly etc, as they aren't.