Parents Are Coming from Overseas - I Need a Seven Seater

My parents are coming from overseas and will be staying for 2 months+. I am family of 4 (with 2 small kids) and use small SUV. I will need 7 seater car when my parents here. What are the options for me?

Sell my current SUV and buy 7 seaters? Budget wise it is not a very good option, and the car situation is very bad at the moment. Long waiting for new car, but I am not sure if I must buy an old used car. I want something with no issue (reliable) as car is important for me, and I don't want to go through a hassle to fix an old car if I buy an old used car.

Rent a car for 2 months? I tried to get a quote from car rental, and it cost 20k. Doesn't looks good.

Rent a car when I need it only. It will be a hassle as I need to install 2 car seats every time I use it.

Use public transport? There is no nearby train station, tram. and the best way to go to groceries/etc is by private car. Bus is every 30 mins. And my parent speaks little English.

Help help help..
What should I do?

Comments

  • +6

    Do you really need to go out all 7 of you daily?

    One of you plus 2 kids in your SUV.

    Other adult plus 2 parents in a following Uber.

    • Not daily, but could be 3-4 times a week. Can be to park / groceries / shopping centre.
      And go road trip during every 2nd weekend.

      • +10

        Every second weekend you can rent a 7-seater car and deal with hassle.

        Other trips doesn’t require all 7 of you to go. Either you or partner can go with parents. You can organise your approach.

        • +1

          Thanks. Great idea

    • -3

      Oh yeah just put the uber ride on the company card.

      • Or maybe ‘Turtle’ could drive them around in the Cadillac ?

  • +8

    I'm sure your WIFE/HUSBAND would much rather stay at Home on the family Outings while you show/take your Parents and Grandchildren around the joint.

  • +1

    Does your partner (or parent/s) drive? You can just rent a small car once in a while. Uber/taxi sometimes. Make two trips other times. Rent big SUV for long trips. Otherwise, not everyone needs to go out at the same time.

  • +11

    My Parents Are Coming from Overseas
    I am family of 4 (with 2 small kids)

    You and wife can go out, grandparents say home with 2 small kids. winning.

    • +2

      Yes. Absolutely. This is part of the plan as well

      • +1

        Otherwise, only go out together with family friends, so they can give your parents a ride.

  • or you and 'rent' a car for a few months….it really isnt that expensive surely much cheaper then buying a 7 seater…

  • +1

    Tell them not to come to Australia

    • Win win

  • Uber them

  • +1

    Get a second car and tell your wife to drive as well.
    If she can't, tell her to learn.

    • Its hard to believe adults cant actually drive a car these days…

      then you drive through Box Hill and its on show for one and all.

  • +1

    Put and ads on marketplace, see anyone in your area going on holiday who is willing to rent you their car.

  • +4

    Do you live near a GoGet location with a Kia Carnival?

  • +3
  • Split the kids and parents, one of each set between you and your partner, if you are worried either set can't be left alone. Whichever has the older kid, or less fussy one, take public transport to destination, and the other drive? Treat it like an adventure.

  • -2

    Where they from?

  • +3

    IF you are using two car seat for kids you’ll have to rule out a lot of 7 seat SUVs. It’s too hard to get in the back row with kid seats in place and you can’t put the kid seats in the third row.

    Many vehicles also you won’t fit two car seats in with a person in the middle seat either. Ie 3 across the back.

  • +2

    Please Help!

    gosh i thought this thread was a life or death situation

    • Help help help..

      The histrionics are strong with this one

  • As per monopoly, sell the existing car and buy a new one.

  • +1

    https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/?sort=~Price&q=(And.Service.CARSALES..Seats.range(7..)..BodyStyle.People%20Mover.)

    Cheaper than renting one, sell for what you paid for it in 2 months, zero overall cost other than insurance and fuel.

  • 1st world problems.

    • -2

      How do you know the parents are coming from a 1sr world country?

      • +1

        The person asking has a problem. They are in Australia. Pretty simple, you're just going ahead and making something outa nothing. We see what we want to see.

        • -1

          Ok. It was a poorly worded joke alluding that the parents are the problem.

      • Did that hurt your feelings, did it ?

        I am asking because I didn’t wanna ‘assume’.

  • Rent a car when I need it only.

    this would be the cheapest option.

    It will be a hassle as I need to install 2 car seats everytime I use it.

    not sure what car seats you use, but mine takes about 2 mins to fix/remove

  • +2

    Do YOU need it? Or do your PARENTS need it? I mean, it sounds like they are already getting 2+ months free accommodation and food. What is stopping them from chipping in or accepting the fact that buying/hiring cars is going to be way more costly than being using shuttle runs, ubers or public transport? This sounds like eastern cultural expectations to me which I know is difficult because circumstances are quite a bit different here. I don't envy your position. Good luck!

    • +2

      it sounds like they are already getting 2+ months free accommodation and food

      So your parents come to visit, you charge them??
      Of course its free food and accommodation, they probably didnt charge him from 0-18 for food and accom when he was a kid

      • +2

        No, if my parents or inlaws come to visit, they come to visit. Not to live with me for an indefinite period of time (2+ months). Like I said, it's down to cultural differences. I'm trying to save up for my own house deposit and it's considered a bit rude in my family circle/culture to expect other family members to have to spend thousands so they can have a holiday or a better holiday. But I know this is perfectly acceptable and even expected in other cultures, especially when grandchildren are involved. That's just what it is like for me. We don't want to burden others so we would not have parents stay at the house if it was going to be more than a couple of weeks, but it won't ever be an issue because they wouldn't want to stay longer than that anyway for the same reasons. A big holiday like that (2+ months) would be better if we met somewhere neutral and split all costs 50/50 or just payed for the stuff we needed individually.

  • Have you tried looking at smaller car rental providers?
    Or something like car next door?

    The big brands are just down right horrible for long term rental.

  • Buy a Delica and sell it off after they are gone.

  • Surely you will only need to travel as 7 on the weekend. Say that's 16 days out of 60. If they can squeeze in the back it will be okay if you or your wife decide to stay home. If they want to sight see then you take only them. You don't all need to go to the supermarket together nor run errands together. Maybe one of them will not want to travel much anyway.
    Don't rush to buy a new car you'll only maybe need a handful of times in 2 months lol.

  • I am in similar boat, parent coming to live with us for 4 months. One option I am considering is to get a 7 seater on long term basis (drivemycar, etc) this is working out 1.5 to 2k a month. My company also does novated lease I was always contemplating a bigger car for few months but was not able to justify the costs. Other option is to get 3-4 year old car and put that on novated lease. Don't want to spend 7-8k on rental.

  • Have you looked at a car subscription, like Carbar or Carly.

    • +1

      Thanks mate will check it out there is Hellocars as well. Seems like 1.5k a month on average for 7 seater including reduced access.

  • Surely you are capable of doing your own research?

Login or Join to leave a comment