Too many in a small car. Is it OK to refuse a lift?

Aranislands

Hi all,

I drive a small old fiat punto. It is 17 years old. I Am planning on going away next weekend. I bumped into a friend of friend (who is also going to same place) and I offered to give her a lift. She accepted. No problem!
She later messaged me to ask if two friends could join us in my car. I said OK. I feel do uneasy giving more than one a lift. My car is small and I'm worried about the weight. The friends don't drive so I'm feeling guilty if I refuse. Am I overly worried it does anyone have advice?

GM228

Aranislands wrote: »

Hi all,

I drive a small old fiat punto. It is 17 years old. I Am planning on going away next weekend. I bumped into a friend of friend (who is also going to same place) and I offered to give her a lift. She accepted. No problem!
She later messaged me to ask if two friends could join us in my car. I said OK. I feel do uneasy giving more than one a lift. My car is small and I'm worried about the weight. The friends don't drive so I'm feeling guilty if I refuse. Am I overly worried it does anyone have advice?

Your worried about having 4 people (including yourself) in a car which has room normally for 5 people - is this a wind up?

Aranislands

No. My car is the size of a small Nissan micra. Generally made for travelling around cities. It is almost 20 years old. Two of the passengers are quite heavy. There is barely any space in the back seat. I have a tiny boot. Can't see where luggage can fit. I'm genuinely worried.

Aranislands

My car has broken down on me in the past. The thoughts of three passengers plus luggage is freaking me out.

CianRyan

The car will live, just make sure you up the price of petrol. Weight costs.

s15r330

This has to be a joke

elperello

How far are you going and for how long?

splinter65

Aranislands wrote: »

No. My car is the size of a small Nissan micra. Generally made for travelling around cities. It is almost 20 years old. Two of the passengers are quite heavy. There is barely any space in the back seat. I have a tiny boot. Can't see where luggage can fit. I'm genuinely worried.

Very cheeky of her to put you on the spot like that. Apologise and say you’ve too much luggage yourself to carry 3 people in such a small cramped car.
Stress how much more comfortable they will be on the train.

mickdw

I wouldn't fancy much of a journey with 2 large people and luggage in the back of a punto.
Just tell her that the back seat will be full of both you and hers stuff already.

Greybottle

Just take it handy and you'll be OK. The car will react slightly differently under braking and cornering but you'll be OK.

If you're worried about insurance claims in case of an accident then tell them that they're traveling at their own risk.

Apart from that, it's your car and your rules. You stop for a break when you want and if you don't want smoking in the car then tell them so. If they cause hassle drop them off at a train station or bus station.

You'll inevitably have a lot more occasions in your life when you'll be driving with a loaded vehicle so this is just the beginning.

Relax. Take it handy, drive at a speed that suits you and you'll be fine.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Dial Hard

Aranislands wrote:

Am I overly worried it does anyone have advice?

Yes, you are overly worried. Your car is designed, built and certified to carry five people. When I read the thread title I thought you'd been asked to squeeze in more than four passengers. The fact thay they're slightly heavy is immaterial, really. Look up your car's maximum weight capacity online; I guarantee you it's far more than the two extra passengers and their luggage.

Having said that, it's your car, so your choice. I don't see any issue, personally, but if you're not comfortable, you're not comfortable. It is something you might want to get over, though. Limiting yourself to one passenger and one passenger only for the rest of your life really isn't practical or feasible.

Greybottle wrote:

If you're worried about insurance claims in case of an accident then tell them that they're traveling at their own risk.

Yeah, that's not how insurance works.

magicbastarder

to be fair, the phrasing was 'she messaged me to ask was it OK for two others to join'; a couple of the responses seem to assume that she went ahead and arranged it all without asking. i've seen nothing yet that she was being presumptuous.

however, if the OP is a nervous or novice driver, i can see how they'd be a little gun shy of carrying a heavy load when they're not used to it.

PhoenixParker

No way I’d carry four people plus luggage any distance in a 17 year old punto.

Floody Boreland

She's a friend of a friend so basically three strangers. You are right to be concerned.

JustJoe7240

Floody Boreland wrote: »

She's a friend of a friend so basically three strangers. You are right to be concerned.

Did you actually read the op? That's not at all what the poster is concerned about.

Floody Boreland

joecass123 wrote: »

Did you actually read the op? That's not at all what the poster is concerned about.

Sorry, I am sure they are fine but the OP shouldn't be pressured in this way. She has a good point about the car being too small. Cars handle very differently when overloaded.

CIARAN_BOYLE

While most cars can carry four passengers if travelling any significant distance I would consider 3 to be maximum.

If there is any concern it may be about space in for luggage rather than weight.

JustJoe7240

Floody Boreland wrote: »

Sorry, I am sure they are fine but the OP shouldn't be pressured in this way. She has a good point about the car being too small. Cars handle very differently when overloaded.

Fair enough, if that was the case, but the first passenger asked would it be ok? and the OP agreed.

OP: If you really don't feel comfortable carrying that many people just say so, Bit awkward i know, but who cares what a friend of a friend thinks.

Aranislands

Thanks for the replies everyone. I feel my anxiety and annoyance is justified. I will be more careful in future and I won't be so quick to offer. She is aware of the type of car I drive. I think it will be claustrophobic for whoever sits in the back.
I have no issues bringing one passenger in front seat. I would be more relaxed about it if I had a bigger and sturdier car. The drive is about two hours there and two back.
Glad to know my car is stronger than I thought. I'm sure it will be fine, I just feel under pressure with it all.

Wishbone Ash

Floody Boreland wrote: »

... She has a good point about the car being too small....

Why do you presume the OP to be female?

Greybottle wrote: »

...If you're worried about insurance claims in case of an accident then tell them that they're traveling at their own risk....

LOL - if it only were that simple!

_Kaiser_

It all depends on the car .. In a 17 year old Punto it'll be uncomfortable at best and will affect the handling and performance. It won't become a death trap or anything but acceleration will be down, braking distance and cornering will be different.
I had a 98/99 Mitsubishi Mirage (import version of the Colt) back in the day with a 1.3 petrol engine. Great car with just myself in it, but it did struggle a bit with 4 people in it.

White Clover

Could you get a trailer to carry the luggage?.....or the two heavy ones!

_Kaiser_

White Clover wrote: »

Could you get a trailer to carry the luggage?.....or the two heavy ones!

A trailer would only add more weight.. not a good idea

Bigus

Be grand

CianRyan

Yo be fair, I've done long trip with 5 plus luggage in my micra, I also regularly have go packed (like ****ing PACKED!) with music gear to beyond the state of a friend and her two fat mates and the car has been fine.

Just expected it to be slower, corner slower and brake over a greater distance.
If it was designed as a 2 seater, it would have 2 seats.

Ash.J.Williams

Crafty women... She's totally banging one of them and schmoozed herself a lift with her wicked charm

EndaHonesty

It's obvious that OP doesn't want to give the other 2 a lift but they agreed to it because they were caught on the hop.

Now they are clutching at straws and hoping someone on boards will give a semi plausible excuse about overloading the car that they can use to weasel their way out of this issue.

OP if you don't want to give them a lift then just speak to them, like an adult.

Trying to weasel out of it with some made up excuse is childish.

colm_mcm

A 1.25 Punto will easily take 4 people and a bit of luggage. If you don't wanna give the others a lift, then let your friend know. The car will be able for it anyway.

bren2002

Your car, your rules.

AndrewJRenko

You could try killing them with kindness OP.

Tell them that you'll be delighted to have company for the 'I Spy' games that you always play when you're on the road, and you've made a special playlist of all your favourite heavy metal/Italian opera/African world music (delete not applicable) to keep you entertained, along with a big load of egg-and-onion sandwiches to keep everyone filled up.

If it does go ahead, you should definitely set expectations about the availability of luggage space.

CiniO

Aranislands wrote: »

Hi all,

I drive a small old fiat punto. It is 17 years old. I Am planning on going away next weekend. I bumped into a friend of friend (who is also going to same place) and I offered to give her a lift. She accepted. No problem!
She later messaged me to ask if two friends could join us in my car. I said OK. I feel do uneasy giving more than one a lift. My car is small and I'm worried about the weight. The friends don't drive so I'm feeling guilty if I refuse. Am I overly worried it does anyone have advice?

I recall 7 day skiing trip with 4 of my friend (5 of us in the car) in fiat cinquecento, with 5 sets of skis on the roof racks, skiing boots and gear in the boot and luggage suitcases on the laps and between heads of rear passengers. Car was also on lowering springs so was nearly touching the ground. We had to disembark passengers and luggage to make it through speed ramps.
Still made it no bother.

You have absolutely no reasons to worry OP

Aranislands

Thanks for the replies everyone. Made me laugh out loud. If I could weasel myself out of it I would, but I feel snookered. I came on this to vent and see if I had a right to be p****d off. Also needed reassurance that it wouldn't damage my poor car! Maybe a better offer will come up for them and they might go with others. I made it clear via text that I was worried about luggage. I'm putting my suitcase into boot first so they can carry theirs on lap if there is no room! Lol!

seamus

Road trips as a young adult are all about being ridiculously uncomfortable. I remember carrying four passengers on a two hour drive in a rented Ford Ka about 15 years ago.

Their comfort is not your problem really. Provided that you can drive safely and legally, then it's not your problem if they have a cramp in their leg for a week afterwards.

mojesius

I've been hoodwinked into giving lifts over long distances before for 'friends of friends' and I just say no now using an excuse of luggage/space etc.

To be honest it ruins the journey for me as I like to listen to music, stop when I want and just enjoy the peace and quiet. I hate small talk and having to play host to near strangers for 3/4 hours while hoping they'll fork out a few quid towards petrol.

yeahscience

You've a right to be concerned OP, but I feel you are more-so on the overly cautious side. It seems that there are a couple of factors weighing in here:

When you say the car broke down in the past, from where did this issue arise? I presume you've since had this mended. If so, and all is above board (valid NCT/had the car recently checked over by a mechanic), then you've nothing to worry about really. There is always the possibility of things not going our way, but if we lived by that, then we'd never budge far.

Having the 3 passengers in the car will affect its handling a little, but nothing to the extent of being overly altered. Take it handy and you'll be grand. You seem to take your role of responsibility in the situation very seriously. I do the same generally so I understand where you're coming from, but there is no need to get so worked up about it honestly. It's only making you unnecessarily stressed out.

Driving with extra passengers that you don't know is not much fun generally, but use it as an opportunity to try to get to know them. I had to do a 4 hour drive recently with 3 passengers recently and given that I like to over-analyse the bejaysus out of anything, I was dreading it. Turn it on its head and try to make the journey as much fun as possible, rather than dreading it so much. Drop down a gear if you need for extra grip on the road, and go at a speed that makes you feel comfortable.

If your car is mechanically sound, then it should take the 4 of you comfortably, as previous posters have stated.

Hope all goes well OP. The best of luck to you.

Are Am Eye

You may need to adjust the degree of dip in your head lights.
And increase your tyre pressure in line with manufacteurers recommendations for fully loaded capacity.

In the first couple of minutes of heading off you will need to lay down the law on who controls the stereo (you) and heating/ air conditioning. No messing around. And no crisps.

greasepalm

things to get done before road trip to be safer

has you got antifreeze protection?
windscreen washer liquid to stop it freezing?
wipers cleaning screen and washers working?
checked all levels of oil and brake fluid under bonnet?
are all lights working correctly?
all tools in boot for removing a flat tyre and spare inflated and safe?
torch and phone charged with credit.

many people do long journeys without checking out their car first.

so enjoy your journey and come back safe.

each person in car to have their space and seatbelts worn.

aujopimur

Just buy a bigger car.

pgj2015

i agree with the other poster who said it was cheeky of the person to invite two of their friends along. no good deed goes unpunished. you have learned a lesson here op, next time don't tell anyone you are going somewhere and don't offer a lift, i bet you wont get petrol money either.

tell them its 50 euro each for petrol a day or two before the trip, that should put them off, say your car drinks petrol with a full load.

Huawei Gallagher

You actually want to say no, its your car so you can say no, you are not a bad person if you say no, the friend is taking advantage of you somewhat by adding 2 more people.

Tell them that the car is too old to go a long distance fully loaded, there is a risk of it breaking down in the dark and they might need to walk so better for them to take a bus.

But it could also be fun in a small car, ask Wayne and Garth! :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMdgOF0e-lI

magicbastarder

pgj2015 wrote: »

it was cheeky of the person to invite two of their friends along

again, there's no sign that the passenger 'invited' their friends. all we know is the passenger asked the OP would they be able to take two more.

monkeysnapper

Your car....
Your rules....

Don't want to do it...
Don't do it....

Your choice, they don't like it , ....take a hike.... Literally!!

bee06

Aranislands wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone. Made me laugh out loud. If I could weasel myself out of it I would, but I feel snookered. I came on this to vent and see if I had a right to be p****d off. Also needed reassurance that it wouldn't damage my poor car! Maybe a better offer will come up for them and they might go with others. I made it clear via text that I was worried about luggage. I'm putting my suitcase into boot first so they can carry theirs on lap if there is no room! Lol!

She asked and you said yes. She didn’t trick you into this. If you don’t want to take them man/woman up and tell her you’ve changed your mind.

If you want to get rid of them but don't want the confrontation would it not make more sense to just text her back saying that you're actually not going anywhere now and staying home?


But, of course, go anyway.

Dial Hard

Deleted User wrote:

If you want to get rid of them but don't want the confrontation would it not make more sense to just text her back saying that you're actually not going anywhere now and staying home?

But, of course, go anyway.

And what's he supposed to say when they get there another way and they all rock up to the event? Seriously, he's a grown man, if he doesn't want to give them a lift he can just say no. No need for ridiculously convoluted cover stories that'll just cause more awkwardness when they're revealed to be patently untrue.

Autochange

Just tell them they are too fat to fit. Im sure they will understand

mdebets

Simple, just ask them to dress as clowns and you will fit them in without a problem.



And if you really break down, you have three people to push the car.

tabbey

It all depends on the size of the people and the amount of luggage.

Four adults without luggage is fine for a short trip in a Punto, Micra etc.
Two adults and two small children would be tolerable for a longer distance.

Four adults and luggage in a small car, would be uncomfortable crossing the length or breadth of the country. It is potentially dangerous if the luggage obstructs vision, or the weight affects the steering and suspension. It is also a bad idea if the driver has to move the seat too close to the controls due to a rear passenger needing more legroom.

That is why large cars are available, - horses for courses. A small car taking what it is not designed for, is all right if it is necessary, but not desirable for a long journey.

If you take these people, explain in advance that they cannot take any luggage, and that you need your legroom for safe driving, their safe journey depends on your comfort at the wheel.

If you all have short legs and no luggage, that would be OK, but it is seldom the case.

AndrewJRenko

Charles Cabbage wrote: »

Tell them that the car is too old to go a long distance fully loaded, there is a risk of it breaking down in the dark and they might need to walk so better for them to take a bus.

Bad move. If you don't want them to come, don't give reasons or excuses. Just say No thanks, doesn't suit. If you start giving reasons or excuses, you are opening up them to start mitigating your reasons or excuses.

two wheels good

Well done OP for considering possible problems. That approach promotes safety on the road. Pay no attention to the know-it-all and negative responses.

If your car is usually reliable and regularly serviced there is no need to worry about additional passengers. If not recently serviced maybe consider a service. Maybe worth it for peace of mind too.

I'd like to make a few practical suggestions.

Check the oil and water level and tyre pressures beforehand - days beforehand, not the morning of departure,
You will need a few extra psi in the tyres to account for the heavier load. Check the manual for recommended pressures.
Are your tyres in good nick? Check the tyre tread.
Don't overlook the spare wheel. Ensure you have a wheel brace and jack. It's not essential that you know how to use them.
Check all your lights are working
Do you have breakdown cover? Bring the telephone number.
All things to check before any long journey - regardless of number passengers.

Avoid luggage in the passenger cell if possible. If not possible keep it on the floor.
More passengers means more chat and more distractions. Pay attention to the road not to the passengers. Tell them to be quiet if necessary during tricky sections.

Extra weight in the car been longer braking distances, slower acceleration and probably poorer handling on the bends. No big deal - as long as you make allowances.

Plan your route BEFORE you leave - not looking at online maps on the motorway. Write out a list of towns and road numbers. Don't rely on the front seat passenger to choose the route and direct you.

Go for it! It will probably be an epic trip that you'll remember with pleasure and a sense of achievement - or maybe a sense of disaster averted? Who knows.