What would you do?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
October 18, 2010 8:34am CST
Hubby's Aunt recently bought my FIL a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. She had wanted him to trade her his van and she was going to donate the van to charity and use it as a tax write off.
Well, yesterday she decided to offer us the van instead. She doesn't want anything in return.. she'll give FIL the jeep, give us the van.. and be done with it.
The van is a 98 or 99.. maybe even 97.. Ford Windstar. The windows do not roll down, the A/C and radio do not work.. hubby thinks it's all connected to a wiring problem, he already checked the fuses. Aside from that there's no major issues with the vehicle.. I test drove it yesterday.
We already have 2 vehicles. I had a 99 Dodge Durango which just barely fits all my kids.. though not really comfortably and we have no cargo space what so ever. My kids have to climb over car seats and through the middle seat to get to the back seat.. my 13 year old is squished between the 2 car seats.. not really comfy.. but it works. No major issues.. except it is old, has a lot of miles, and the brakes need to be checked out soon.
Hubby has a 2000 or 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix.. not big enough for all of us, but he just uses it to get to and from work. It's a good car, except that right now it needs a whole new exhaust system.. and it's dual exhaust, we're talking at least $1,000!
We're figuring take the van.. put the Grand Prix up for the winter, fix that when we get our taxes back so hubby can use it in summers if he wants or just save it as a back up vehicle. He'll take my Durango for now.. which is why we'll need to hold onto the Grand Prix because with as old as the Durango is it may start having major issues soon and we can't afford major issues on a car that old and beat up. Then I will have the van, the kids will be comfortable, and I won't have to remove the stroller on grocery shopping day for the cargo space! LOL
So I just wanted to share the news that we're getting a free van.. we were planning on buying one with our taxes anyways because the Durango doesn't really work for us.. hubby orignally bought that for himself as a back up in case my van died (because of the fact that it does fit all the kids when a normal car does not).. but then my van did die and I got the Durango and he went out and bought the Grand Prix because we both agreed he didn't need a big vehicle just to go to and from work.
Has anyone ever offered you a free vehicle? What would you do with your current vehicles if you were given a free one in decent condition?
2 people like this
12 responses
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
19 Oct 10
You are on a roll with blessings and as usual you have carefully weighed up all the pros and cons. I am so happy for you.
No, I have never actually received a vehicle before but my eldest sister did, about 8 years ago, helped me to buy a car as I drove a pick up - stick shift and found it tiring on long journeys.
However, I wish that I had not not accepted this 'gift'as she always brings it up in vonversation in front of people and Iam very embarrassed. I wish that I could give her the money back as although she keeps stating that it was a gift it really wasn't.
So happy for you. Blessings
So happy for you. Blessings@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
19 Oct 10
Apologies for spelling errors. Am using my son's laptop and the letter L is not working and I cannot get the print larger to check for errors
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Well that is a shame. Thankfully hubby's aunt is not like this. We still owe her $3,000 when she bailed us out like 5 years ago, and she has not mentioned this in a long time. FIL owes her a lot of money too, and she doesn't really mention it.. but obviously she continues to give him money and things.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
22 Oct 10
If you give someone a gift then it is just that - a gift. I do not understand her as she never had children and is loaded with money. She gave 25 thousand pounds each to two little girls that used to live next door to her whilst I am in mega debt sending my daughter to University and at that time was working 3 jobs. So why not help your niece that you boast to everyone on how bright she is as she finished high school at 15 and college by 18? And tell everyone how marvellous she is and how much you love her.
My daughter and I suffered so much despite help from her brothers. But we did it. And she started life without student loans to pay back. She even had the nerve to get upset and quarrel as Rachel has no intention of inviting these strangers (family of 4) that she met only once to her wedding next year. I honesty just don't get it
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Rule number one of owning old cars: Always have a back up vehicle. That is my hubby's rule. We buy old cars and put a little money into them and we have a pretty good result. We have a neighbor who gets "deals" and sometimes sells them to us or others really cheaply.In your shoes, I would get rid of the Grand Prix. It is considered to be a sports car and as such, it costs more to carry insurance on it. You have an expensive repair to make on it, and if your van broke down, it would not be worth much to you for transporting the kids. You still need a back up car, and the Grand Prix will do for now, but I would look into getting something else, then getting rid of the Grand Prix. I have a hard time getting hubby to get rid of anything, but we have not paid more than $900 for any of our cars. Our "newest" purchase cost $300, then hubby put $140 into a new exhaust system. We also have one that we paid $600, one that was $250 we are selling to my son. The car I drive cost $100.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
19 Oct 10
We can't get rid of the Grand Prix because hubby loves it.. and when it's his turn to get another vehicle for himself he'd choose another sporty type car. He wants a Firebird. This is the 2nd Grand Prix he's had since I've known him. Besides that, we just bought it back in March with our taxes... seems silly to get rid of it right now. Though one of our neighbors did offer to buy it for what we paid for it.. even with the exhaust problems. Hubby says he'd sell it and buy another one just like it that doesn't have the exhaust problems. Why the neighbor won't do that is beyond me, lol!
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Wow! That is awesome!!
I am happy the kids won't be squished up like sardines now. I do hope that the van holds out for the long haul, and that you make sure the aunt knows how appreciated she is. I was offered a car twice but my dearly deranged husband wouldn't let me take either one. He said I couldn't drive without license( I had a permit), or insurance, and that we couldn't afford the upkeep and maintenance or gas for it. I get out once or twice a month..more if I am lucky enough to. So a car would mean freedom to be able to do stuff I am not able to..but sadly..those dreams were flushed down the toilet..eh can't win them all.But that is reallllly great news about the van and I bet the kids are excited to have more room..and you too.
I am happy the kids won't be squished up like sardines now. I do hope that the van holds out for the long haul, and that you make sure the aunt knows how appreciated she is. I was offered a car twice but my dearly deranged husband wouldn't let me take either one. He said I couldn't drive without license( I had a permit), or insurance, and that we couldn't afford the upkeep and maintenance or gas for it. I get out once or twice a month..more if I am lucky enough to. So a car would mean freedom to be able to do stuff I am not able to..but sadly..those dreams were flushed down the toilet..eh can't win them all.But that is reallllly great news about the van and I bet the kids are excited to have more room..and you too.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
18 Oct 10
Wow that's awesome you are getting a free vehicle. My very first car was given to me by my grandmother. It was a ford tempo. It was in good shape and didn't have a whole lot of miles on it because she didn't really go anywhere. I'd love another vehicle right now. I got a minivan because three car seats just don't fit in a back seat of any regular vehicle. And most other 7 passenger vehicles were the same as your durango, you had to climb through the back seat or fold it down, which doesn't work when you've got car seats buckled into it. And my kids weren't old enough to sit in the back and buckle themselves, so that would have meant me climbing over the seat to buckle them. I'm not a minivan person. I'd rather have a jeep or something sporty. I'm hoping to move on to a four door wrangler when the kids are a little older. I've still got one in a booster seat and one in a car seat.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
18 Oct 10
I like the minivans. I like my Durango.. and I'd love a Tahoe.. but it's just not easy for the kids to get in and out of, because I too have the booster seats and car seats.
@4mymak (1793)
• Malaysia
19 Oct 10
wow, kats..
your husband's aunt is really very generous, isnt she?.. wish i have an aunt like her.. 
it's pretty hard to decide if i was in your place.. reason is because both my cars are in really good working condition - so i dont really need another car..
but IF, my own cars were not in good condition.. it would be pretty tough to decide.. and i also have to consider the fact that - one of the cars must fit seven people... i repeat - SEVEN people, becoz i have 5 children.. so.. not really an easy question to answer..
it's pretty hard to decide if i was in your place.. reason is because both my cars are in really good working condition - so i dont really need another car..
but IF, my own cars were not in good condition.. it would be pretty tough to decide.. and i also have to consider the fact that - one of the cars must fit seven people... i repeat - SEVEN people, becoz i have 5 children.. so.. not really an easy question to answer.. @katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
19 Oct 10
Yes we are a family of 7 as well with 5 kids, and 2 of mine are still in car seats.
Sad part is, hubby has an uncle who is extremely wealthy.. far wealthier than this aunt, but we've never seen a dime from him. The most we've ever gotten was some gifts for the kids when they were younger.. and it wasn't anything we could even use. When my daughter was a year old they gave her a $200 faux fur coat! To make matters worse the coat was white! I let her wear it, because let's face it.. a coat is a coat and why go buy her one when we were given one. But she looked so silly in this $200 white faux fur coat, a $5 Walmart outfit and $10 Walmart boots!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
21 Oct 10
We have never been given a totally free vehicle, but if someone was to offer one to us, I would most definitely accept it. You see, right now we have my 2003 Honda Civic that we've had since it was brand new and then we just recently traded our Toyota Pickup for a 1973 Volkswagon Beetle. The Beetle is actually somewhat of a dream of mine because of the fact that I've wanted to restore a classic car and just haven't had the opportunity to do so before now. However, given the time and as we have extra money we are now going to be able to do it. In addition to that, my husband can use it to putt back and forth to work.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
18 Oct 10
Good for you! What a wonderful offer. I haven't ever gotten a free vehicle....but if I were to get one I would probably see if someone else needed it more then myself. There is always someone who could probably use a car and just can't afford it! Hope the repairs are small on your new van!
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
18 Oct 10
Hi kats~ I think that's great that you're getting a free vehicle!
As long as it's in drivable condition and you have 2 working cars
and a backup why not! Sounds like things are really looking up
for you and your family and you so deserve it. I'm really happy
for you.
@teenymarie (107)
• United States
18 Oct 10
My hubby's grandmother gave him is grandfathers truck when he passed away. She doesn't drive and said she wanted him to have it. That was long before I came along but he still has the truck. Its like a 95 I think, but his grandpa drove it like to the store and back so it was perfect when he got it with almost no miles. I have a 2003 Grand Prix, the only problem with the truck is that we can't put the kids carseats in it so we always have to take my car if we have the kids. I think when my car is paid off we are getting hubby a new vehicle, just don't know what yet.
@coarcangelF (54)
• Philippines
19 Oct 10
...ill just put as my remembrance..and make it as a collection..
@JTATRASMONTED (1)
•
19 Oct 10
Hunny's Aunt recently bought my FIL a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. She had wanted him to trade her his van and she was going to donate the van to charity and use it as a tax write off. well, yesterday she decided to offer us the van instead.
@Krizz420canada (531)
• Canada
19 Oct 10
Well I'm pretty sure that anyone that is offered a good running decent vehicle for FREE would take it in a heart beat weather they needed it or not. I know I would.
