What would you do in this situation?

I was recently offered a free minivan from a family member who got a new car. Mostly because I'm her godson, I think.

At the moment, I do not need a car. To be more specific, I am unemployed and if I took it now, it would probably be sitting in the driveway uninsured for awhile. And even once I get a job, it will probably be in the city again, so my job commute will be buses and trains most likely. Though, I would need a car for just various other things then, but I don't actually do all that much. In fact, it would be more an added bonus than a NEED, per se. Something I should eventually have (I have never owned a car in my life except for a breif 3 month period) than something I need.

On the other hand, certain other family members need it more. In fact, it would probably be considered shady by most of my family if I took it and let it sit in a driveway while others need it more. Hopefully I'd eventually be using it, but that is like "eventually sort of need it" vs immediate needs of others.

On the other other hand, I'm doing horribly financially/etc. at the moment so it is hard to pass up on ANYTHING free. If (hopefully when) I do get back on my feet, I probably will have little to no money left in my bank accounts, so it would be difficult to go out and get a car. It would feel very nice to know I have one waiting for me. Heck, if only for the monetary value of the minivan, which is probably a few grand. And my godmother said she specifically wanted to offer it to me first to "help me get back on my feet", though, as I said to her, I probably need to get on my feet before I need a car anyway.

I'm sort of torn. I need money more than I need a mini-van. But I will probably need some sort of driving vehicle in the near future, especially if I end up finding a job that I can't commute to on bus/train. But I wouldn't need it NOW. And if I take it, I'm going to look like an ass.

By the way I'm not even considering taking it just to sell it, I think that would piss everyone off, my godmother included. Though really that is what would help me out most, but alas, not really an option. If I take it, I'm going to have to use it eventually.

Take it, and loan it to your family members who need it more. Charge them to drive them all over town. Bam! Now you're in business.

That seems like a total asshole move to me.

I'd get my godmother, and my other car-less relatives, and then tell them what you just told us.

Hey, you never said "What should I do that doesn't involve me being the dick here", you know.

Ok then just loan it to them for frah. Jeez I'm just trying to help.

Well the person who needs the car now is my newly married sister and her husband. And their baby daughter and another on the way.

Which makes me feel even worse, since they obviously need a more "minivan" type deal whereas to me well... I'll drive anything that is free, but it definately isn't my preference.

But if they don't get it they are just going to buy something else right away, since he just got a new job and they pretty much need a car 24/7.

Like, I really have no logical argument that this car should go to me over her other than it was offered to me. But then, that almost seems like enough.

My aunt knows the whole situation and still said it is mine first, but she just said because I'm her godson. Which I guess is a good enough reason, but I don't know...

just give your sister the minivan.
tell her something like hey, you can give me 500 for it later or something.

family should always come first. tell your godmother "you wanted me to have it, and I decided the best use for it is to give it to my sister who desperately needs it."

Yeah family should come first, but I'm not sure they're in a worse position than me. In fact, her husband just got a new job, and I well... I'm unemployed living with my parents again. Trying to get back on my feet.

Sigh. You people are too quick on the draw for me.

[Edited on Apr 24, 2005 by adjunct]

I so thought this was going to be about hunting wolverines in Alaska with a frickin' twelve-gauge.

I'm older than my sister. I'm 25. She is 22.

See, she is going through you know, what newlyweds go through. Her husband had a decent job and found an even better one. They are out on their own, money is tight of course, but they're doing it.

I'm far from that position right now. In fact, I've been struggling the last few years to get there. I was out on my own for like 5 months, but then I lost my job and had a nervous breakdown and yeah... here I am.

And I'll probably never have a family. That was a dream of mine years ago, now my only dream is to get my life into semi-functionability.

I didn't read all the comments. So this may be a duplicate.

You could use the van to make money. Get a delivery job or some such.

I work for a publisher that needs destributors on Fridays only. You may find a few jobs that would keep you going full time.

Well I was going to look into pizza delivery perhaps. But really that is almost a seperate issue. Hmm. Of course, it would be hard to look into delivery WITHOUT a vehicle.

Oh, and Pimp That Ride, yo.

The only one with too many vehicles at the moment is my aunt. And I think she only offered it because I don't have one. If it is just going to be sold off I think she would want the money.

why the fuck would you want a minivan?

To drive around. Beggers can't be choosers.

Actually I borrow her minivan a lot, seeing as I have no car. Moving, band show, whatever...

I really like the idea of lending it to your sister 'till you need it. It seems like in that situation, everyone wins.

Take it and get a job, its awfully sweet of her to do that. And you can always loan it to relatives when they need it since you dont do much. Cheap basic insurance is pretty affordable, just be as safe as possible in it. No drunk driving or anything. I thinks its cool you think of the rest of your family I know jackasses who would take it without sayin thanks then rag it out and get a dui in it. Kudos to you, man.

Hmm, it seems like it has possibly become a moot argument. Apparently my sister doesn't want a minivan anyway now because she has never driven much and thinks she couldn't handle it? At least, that is what it seems like. I think she and her husband have already started looking elsewhere.

Which, seems like a weird way to be, but eh... I'm not going to argue.

In fact, I think I am going to take the wussiest approach to this and just ignore the situation until a week or two from now when it will possibly have worked itself out...