What would you do?
 

I'm recovering from hip surgery and it will be a few more weeks before I can drive again, so my car is not being used right now.

Yesterday my step-mom got in an accident and totaled her car. She and my sister are fine, but the car is gone. Apparently it wasn't her fault, but she's had a number of accidents, so in the very least she's not good at avoiding them. The only other car they have is a Cherokee that needs work that they can't afford right now.

So, no one has asked yet, but I know that she's going to want to borrow my car. When I was recovering from surgery on the other hip I let her borrow my car when hers broke down, but that was when I was driving my old Protege. It's a very different situation with my RX-8; I do not like anyone else driving it, period.

So, what should I do? Take no chances with the car and be the family asshat, or be a nice guy and sit around biting my nails all day wondering if the automotive love of my life is going to be OK? I think I'd almost rather loan my dad the money to fix the Jeep than let her drive my 8, but I'm not sure that he'd take me up on that.

Flood your car :) you know she will..or worse :)

Nope. Loan them the money to help fix the car or whatever, but if she has a history of wrecking cars, the last thing she needs is a sports car. Especially one that is owned by a family member. That is a good way to get everyone pissed off at each other.

This is easy, as soon as I say it you are going to kick yourself...








Loan me your car. =P

loan the money and if they dont accept than you cant really be the family asshat because you gave them an alternative than borrowing your car

she cant get a rental?

Can't afford it.

insurance wont pay for it b/c it wasnt her fault?

Without a doubt, in my mind at least, don't loan her your car! If they won't take the cash to help fix the cherokee then that's on her.

Can you imagine the resentment you'd have if something happened to your 8? I know I would. Seems best for everyone involved that you consider other options.

You guys bring up a good point. If something happened to the 8 I'd never get over it, and it would be a problem in the family for a long time. Not worth risking when there are other options.

She your Mom. Let her use the car.

If the accident was the other guy's fault, his insurance company should pay for a rental. As well as reparing or replacing her car. Assuming he's insured, and also assuming there was a police report that made the fault clear.

If not, then I concur with everyone who recommends you loan the money to get the Jeep fixed. If you're enough of a good family member to help out in some way, they should be good enough family members to understand your feelings about your car.

Ken

hes right, she is your mom and I am sure there is nothing she wouldn't do for you

Step-mom, not mom, my dad married her when I was in my mid 20s.

aye there's the rub, i guess it depends on what kind of relationship you have with her

I'd loan the money for the fix. Even if it were my mom/dad, in the event that if anything DOES happen.. the car is under my name.. so no thanks.

Simply advise them that you are the only one insured to drive it. Or ask them what they would be doing if you didn't just have surgery. . .

I live with my parents, and they do not even have keys to my car, which is under their insurance. My father has moved my car out of the driveway less than a dozen times and has driven it 3 times.

Short answer. Don't lend anyone your car ever.

Here what you do disable the fuel pump and say it doesnt start or say shes not covered. umm what else...... does she know how to drive stick? or just say sorry that you cant let her borrow it because its your toy or say somtin a little nicer then that. what if she fills it with e85 :rant: or regular lol

I would loan her the money to fix the jeep or rent a car and leave the 8 peacefully in the garage

An acquaintance at work let his room mate drive his car, room mate got drunk and totaled his car and walked away from the single vehicle crash. (so he says).
Now his insurance will not pay unless he presses theft charges against said room mate.

What if your relative did the equivalent?

I am sorry to say but Hell No!!!! If she was a 30 year driver with not a scratch in the paint job, I would still be very leary of letting her drive it.
Lend them the money, rent them a car, don't let them drive the 8.

Absofuckinglutely not.

I was in Brazil for 2 weeks, TWO WEEKS and I had painted my rims completely black. I left the car in the responsibility of my dad and he moved it 3 times for street cleaning and managed to curb my rims in that time. I don't even like letting people RIDE in my car. My GF did me the favor of putting a deep dent on the passenger door from opening it and not holding onto it because the wind was blowing hard.


Moral of the story is, no do not loan your car to anyone for they will mess it up somehow, especially if it is a car that is as tempered as the 8.

She's not your mom and she's a grown woman. I'd tell her no and that life sucks sometimes, figure it out.

My dad's getting an estimate on getting the Jeep fixed, and we'll go from there. So everything's cool and my car is safe. Thanks for the replies.