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Not sure if this is the appropriate forum for this question, but it didn't seem to fit in "Automotive." Recently I gave up my car because it would have been more expensive to repair than it was worth, so now have no personal transportation. A close relative was going to be out of the state, didn't need her car for a couple of months, and offered to lend me her car temporarily. While I had it, I had to replace 4 quarts of transmission fluid and purchase a new battery (didn't leave lights on too long or anything--it was just the natural death of an old battery).
When I mentioned these costs, she really didn't see why I would expect to be reimbursed because I was using the car. Of course, if I caused some damage, a fender bender or even pop a tire due to running over a nail or some such, I'd feel responsible for those things. Not sure of the legalities and I'm not going to try to take my relative to small claims court in any case, but am I wrong to feel this is not right? I'm sorry I accepted the offer and won't do that again!
Would it have cost you more money to rent a car in that time period that you borrowed the car as it cost for you to put into her car? I suspect renting a car might have cost you more money. Just curious.
It's probably not worth bringing up the money you put into the car with her again as she did you a favor. I'd let it go and never borrow anything from her again.
I find it appalling that you are being so cheap, petty, and ungrateful about this. You were without a car, and your relative lent you hers without cost. For two months! Whether she was using it at the time or not is immaterial; it's still her property, and she was under no obligation to let you use it. Moreover, if she hadn't done this, what would you have done then? Whatever your alternative plan for transportation was, I'll bet it would have been a lot more expensive.
Yes, you should pay for the transmission fluid and the battery. You should tell her that you did this and give her the receipts -- not to get paid back, but so that she will know that her car was properly maintained in her absence. You should have also washed the car, vacuumed out the interior, and filled the gas tank to full before returning it to her, with your effusive thanks.
If I were her, and I knew your thoughts as expressed here, I'd never lend you anything again.
Not sure if this is the appropriate forum for this question, but it didn't seem to fit in "Automotive." Recently I gave up my car because it would have been more expensive to repair than it was worth, so now have no personal transportation. A close relative was going to be out of the state, didn't need her car for a couple of months, and offered to lend me her car temporarily. While I had it, I had to replace 4 quarts of transmission fluid and purchase a new battery (didn't leave lights on too long or anything--it was just the natural death of an old battery).
When I mentioned these costs, she really didn't see why I would expect to be reimbursed because I was using the car. Of course, if I caused some damage, a fender bender or even pop a tire due to running over a nail or some such, I'd feel responsible for those things. Not sure of the legalities and I'm not going to try to take my relative to small claims court in any case, but am I wrong to feel this is not right? I'm sorry I accepted the offer and won't do that again!
If you lease a vehicle you are responsible for those things as well as the gasoline you use.
When you use a vehicle you maintain the vehicle as well as returning it in the same condition or better than when you first took possession. I believe your relative is the one who should feel slighted because you expect to be reimbursed when she voluntarily loaned the vehicle to you at no cost.
How much would it have cost you to rent a car for two months? I have no idea.
My son rented a mini-van for ten days last summer and it cost him over $1,000. I needed to rent a small/medium size car and it cost $350 for one week.
You should have been grateful to your relative not bugging her to reimburse you the $100 (or whatever) that you spent. Sheesh!
I sort of understand where you're coming from OP, your relative is going to get far more use out of the battery you paid for than you did. But, realistically, what did you spend? Maybe $150 or so in total? Yes, that's less than the cost to rent for a week, and probably less than what she paid to keep the car insured while you had possession of it.
You had a car, you understand the expenses related to driving them. It's unrealistic, and ungrateful to expect somebody else to cover the costs incurred while you drove it.
How much would it have cost you to rent a car for two months? I have no idea.
My son rented a mini-van for ten days last summer and it cost him over $1,000. I needed to rent a small/medium size car and it cost $350 for one week.
You should have been grateful to your relative not bugging her to reimburse you the $100 (or whatever) that you spent. Sheesh!
Not only that, but there is also a few months of wear and tear on the car that the OP is not accounting for, as well as the risk of damage the relative was taking by letting someone else use her car.
I agree, the OP sounds ungrateful for the very large favor she did for him. He should return the car with a full tank of gas, a sincere expression of gratitude and no mention of an expectation of being paid for maintaining her vehicle while in his use.
Ya know, for some people there are simply no answers. This is probably one of the most self centered, entitled posts I have seen on here, and there have been some winners.
The person who did you that great favor brings to mind an old saying. No good deed goes unpunished.
You are probably a bit upset because you think that the money spent on the transmission fluid and new battery does not serve you all that much since the car does not belong to you. Perhaps you should consider, instead, that the money was an investment in earning respect and a guaranteed helping hand in the future from that relative.
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