Change those old motor mounts
 

Or you might get a broken exhaust pipe or manifold.

Long story short. I lent a decent car (20yo almost rust free Corolla w/90k miles good interior and new tires) to an excellent nurse past and present for my parents. Very squared away and alpha on the job, which is probably why she went through men like bon bons. Knows her medical stuff. Her Kia got a dealership replacement engine under warranty which also failed. Lives an hour away in the stix and needed emergency transportation. Glad to give back.

Got the car cleaned up and squared away last minute for her. That nice game face turned to demanding along with a lack of communication thereafter when it needed an oil change and getting her insurance info etc. She grabbed the keys and sped off while I was explaining the car. Offered and gave me no money. Some of the stories didn't add up such as her alternative transportation options. I'm wondering if one of her many kids was using it in retrospect. Oh well. Not my business. As long as everything in the system works.

Three month later I get a call that the dash MIL/CEL is on, with somewhat of an accusation that it has happened before and I knowingly withheld that information. Went down there today and there is a loud exhaust leak right at the back of the engine. Car was covered in dirt. Couldn't see much but the exhaust metal is in pretty good condition from all the parts I could see. I've got to get it up in the air for closer inspection and go through it all. Sigh.

I'm suspecting that whoever drove the thing hammered on it...a bit too much.

Nothing performs better than a borrowed or rented car... Just sayin.

Get the car, keep the car. Not your problem.

If I thought there was any reason that I might need to explain a 20-year-old Corolla to someone, they're probably not the someone to whom I would be loaning my car.

_

I think the 3 month thing is interesting. That's not loaning a car, that's giving a car. Her problem now. Just the way I see it, YMMV.

John, I believe you went beyond and above in allowing her to borrow your car. Three months sounds like a reasonable period. Retrieve it, repair it, and keep it.

You did a great thing by helping her out when she needed it, David

Still thinking of how to handle it gracefully. A car should technically be hammer-able but think she needs to chip in.
I originally offered to sell it at a nominal price but became driftwood in the situation. Did find my little flippers and got it back.
It's a little complex. Made more so by my ride flaking out twice.

She's had your car three months???

I'd say the party's over.

Is she still providing excellent nursing care for your parents, and do you have other options if she stops providing it? Yeah, she's taking advantage of your generosity.... but ....

Everyone's situation is different .... my parents' care would be most important, and a car I could afford to "write off" would not.

But I'd still be pizzed off, but just wouldn't let it upset that parent situation.

And NO good deed goes .... well... you know ;)

Just my .02 worth...

^ totally agree. I meant the party's over for a free car for too long to an ingrate. If taking the Corolla back jeopardizes your parents' care, then there's something wrong with the ingrate. Being an hour away probably makes this gig not too important to her, I would think.

No good deed goes unpunished. Sometimes this is correct.

I don't know about you guys, but around here the unsaid but understood rules of borrowing something is that you return it in as good or better condition.