This Redditor Fixed His Old Car And Lent It Out To Help His Family - But Now He’s Opened Pandora’s Glove Box

Reddit user u/yikesomalley thought having two cars was a smart, responsible move, not an open invitation to become the neighborhood rental agency. One was new and reliable, while the other was an older 2007 model that still ran well and felt useful as a backup.

Wanting to help family, the OP lent the older car to his nephew while the nephew worked on fixing his own. But, six months later, the nephew still hadn’t repaired his car, and the borrowed one came back in rough shape.

The Redditor shelled out about $1,500 to get the vehicle back into working condition, with a few more small fixes still needed. Not long after, a neighbor had a crisis and needed a car “just for a couple of days,” and the OP reluctantly agreed.

That short loan went sideways fast. The neighbor got arrested due to a warrant, had the car impounded, and returned it smelling like smoke and covered in ash.

After paying towing fees and restoring the car again, the Redditor finally hit his limit. Both the nephew and the neighbor kept asking to use it, and the OP started saying no.

That’s when the guilt trip began. Family members accused the OP of being selfish and claimed he was hurting the nephew’s job prospects.

The neighbor added passive-aggressive texts to the mix. Even so, the Redditor stood firm, despite feeling conflicted about having a car he technically didn’t “need.”

In an edit, the OP explained why selling the car isn’t an option. Having a second vehicle is a safety net for work, kids, and emergencies—and for him, that peace of mind is worth far more than the resale value.

The Redditor felt conflicted about having a car he technically didn’t “need.”

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Here’s the original post by Reddit user u/yikesomalley.

I have two cars: a new car and an old 2007. I lent the old one (in good condition) out to my nephew while he was looking to fix his own ASAP...and after 6 months he still has not fixed his car and my car came back in terrible condition. I repaired $1500 worth of stuff on my old car just now, and there are a couple other small things still needed. It runs okay at the moment. My neighbor was a crisis situation and needed a vehicle, so reluctantly I let her borrow it for a couple days. Asked her to be very careful. She got pulled over /arrested for some sort of warrant, got the charges dropped but the car was impounded. I asked her to pay the towing and stuff. It was expensive and she wasn’t thrilled. Also she smoked in it and ashed everywhere. I’m a non-smoker. Got the car back in working condition and now both both parties keep wanting to use it. I keep saying no. My sister (nephew’s mom) and family is angry at me because nephew needs my car for work. Word is circling around that I’m a jerk and “put him in a bad situation” by taking my broken vehicle back. Affects his job. The neighbor keeps texting me passive aggressive things about it. The tough part of the situation is: I don’t need the car. I make decent money, and at times I feel like I am being selfish or am in the wrong. I have two vehicles, I know people who could benefit from borrowing one. Guilt spills in and I start remembering that other people have helped me in the past. AITA for cutting these people off? Did I draw the line at the right place? EDIT: Thank you for the support! I appreciate it! I see the logic in getting rid of the car, but having a second vehicle has been a HUGE relief for work (I have to always have a vehicle), transferring kids to and from different schools, and even as a backup for the ex wife in case her car needs work. The amount of $ i will get for its current condition isn’t as worth it as this safety net is. At least that’s my feeling.

Let’s see what the Reddit community had to say.

Deleted user

Stick to your guns!

StIrivergirl

Sell the car, and move on.

EMT82

They’re very entitled.

battousaideo

You’re too nice!

W8nd3rW8man

Don’t be a pushover.

justdrivinGA

They should’ve been more careful with it.

rumblinbumblinbee

They’re not entitled to your property.

jayc831

Make them pay for the repairs.

g_daddio

Your car, your choice.

opanda4

You’re not obligated to lend them anything.

badxwolfxrising

They treated you disrespectfully.

Argent_Jinx

It’s not your fault they don’t have transport.

Kittytigris

In the end, the Redditor is standing by his decision, even if it makes a few people uncomfortable. He says the experience taught him a hard but valuable lesson: being generous doesn’t mean sacrificing boundaries, especially when kindness starts costing more than it gives back.