To say no to this cheeky request

[Timeforausernamechange]

My Dad and his partner have form for being very, very stingy. They are 70s retired with enough cash to head abroad several times a year but will argue for ages over ordering in a cafe for the sake of a few pence. It is embarrassing and my dads partner is getting worse and worse.

The relationship is strained to say the least anyway... and I am on the verge of going NC. Now though they have called up to ask for the following.

They are planning a trip to an island off the coast of the UK and are trying to avoid paying for the notoriously expensive ferry over. They think it is too expensive to take their car across so have asked me to ask my PiL if they can leave their car on PiLs drive for a week. PiLs live in the town where the ferry goes from.

I know his parents would feel obliged if we asked and I don't like being put in the middle. I think my Dad and partner are being massively cheeky and so does DH who has refused to ask his parents.

Are we BU to let our antipathy towards dad and his partner to say no? Or is this actually a reasonable request.?

I don't think it's cheeky at all . I was expecting the dilemma to be them wanting to borrow your PIL's car, to save them taking their own...
You've admitted it would fit on their drive, what on earth is the issue?

I let people leave their cars on our drive all the time.

However is it likely that it'll also come with "can you give us a lift to the ferry port" and "can you pick us up from the ferry port."

If you are worried about saying a plain no, lie and say they are having some building work done and the drive will be filled with a big skip for a couple of months.

I wouldn't mind having a car on my drive so don't think it's that cheeky.

I think your husband gets to call it here, it's his parents who will be providing the favour.

If you thought your PIL were being cheeky asking for something so you said you wouldn't ask your parents and then your DH asked them anyway, wouldn't you be annoyed? Especially if you knew they'd agree out of politeness? I would.

I think it is cheeky, and having someone else's car hanging around would be a terrible imposition. Your DH is right, OP.

if it's the Isle of Wight they'll definitely be better off with their car...bus routes don't cover all parts of the island and I'd love to see them attempt to haggle down the price of a taxi! And the foot passenger fares are pretty expensive on the ferries anyway...just tell them to take their car!

I think its a bit cheeky, they either need to ask themselves, or failing that, ask if they can 'rent' the drive for the duration. If PIL's then say of course dont worry about money then thats their call!