Who has the right to be mad?

Question

I just had my 1996 Neon inspected last Tuesday. I just had to get new brakes, rotors, and tires. Over the weekend, I got a new car and gifted the Neon to my sister and brother in law. I signed the title over to him on Saturday. He calls me Sunday and is angry because he said that the transmission went. I found that strange since I drove the vehicle all last week. I also posted this question in the automotive section to see if the car would have passed an inspection with a bad transmission. But I am posting it here to discuss the ethical reasons. I don't know whether to feel bad or be angry. I mean I know Neons are junk, but my brother-in-law does not have a job and they needed a car. I did not charge him anything for the car and then I spent $540 for new brakes and tires because it was family. I would have never given him a vehicle that did not go into gear. In a way, he has some nerve being mad at me. I should have just took it to a junk yard and been done with it!

Another reason why I was so generious is because I am starting to rise above my hard financial times and I am trying to give back to someone that needs help since so many people helped me out in my life.

I signed the title over to him, so it is his car. Shouldn't he be responsible for taking it to a junkyard if that is what he chooses.

I think taking the car back would be more hassle. I just took it off my insurance and I would have to pay for a plate again. He was actually made at the notary because he had to pay $100 for a plate.

Answer 1

I would tell him to get over it. Even if you had known that the tranny was about to go, you just gave the car to him. The person who has the right to be mad is you. You should not have to take crap from someone that you just gave something like a car to. And it depends on what they check in the inspection as to whether or not it would have passed, but don't worry. Your brother in law is a selfish jackass.

Answer 2

You have the right to be mad. You didn't know it the transmission would go or when. I think everyone knows Neons are junk, so he should have too.

If he argues, just tell him you're sorry, but you couldn't have known and that if he doesn't want it, to sign it back over to you and you'll have it sent to a scrap yard that will pay you cash for the car. Probably he'll keep it and go get the cash himself. If he doesn't , then take the cash and put it in a savings bond for them for another time when he's not being so unreasonable.

Answer 3

Some people are never happy no matter what they do, get, or have. You did a very loving thing by giving them that car. They should be grateful but that's not always the way it is...Just know that you have nothing to feel bad about nor do you owe them anything nor is it your responsibility to repair the gift..explain that they should look on the bright side ..its going to cost less to fix the car than to buy one..and at least they can be assured that it will stop when it needs to...if that doesn't work let him know he is an ungrateful *** and doesn't deserve to ever receive another gift again.

Answer 4

I agree with the others - this guy has no reason to be angry with you. You could extend the offer to take the gift back, and then sell it for someone to fix or use the good parts to recover the $540 you put into it. Or you could donate it or take it to the salvage yard, but any further action on your part is 'above & beyond' what would be considered normal.

I'm not certain what he expected. I mean, it is 11+ years old, and it is a Neon. I hope he can realize that he is in the wrong and see to it to apologize to you.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

It was your gift to them. It is not like your brother-in-law, the culprit here, bought the car from you. He should be grateful, and keep his mouth shut since his wife is your sister!
His ego is probably hurt because as the man of the house, he's a loser.
Are you sure the transmission did, in fact, go or is he just trying to get an extra $540 from you? Be very careful.

Answer 6

Well, considering he just got a free car, the cost of replacing or rebuilding the transmission is a small price to pay.

To complain about a gift is ridiculous. Tell him if he isn't happy with it, you will take the car back. I am sure you could put it in the paper for a few hundred bucks and someone will buy it, even with a bad tranny.

Answer 7

All you can do is apologize for the situation and tell him to sell it if he doesn't want a "free" car.

He doesn't have any right to be mad. How much money would he have to pay for a new car? PROBABLY a lot more than a free car and having to fix the transmission. Transmissions aren't cheap by any stretch, but he didn't check the car before you gave it to him. Just try to be nice, but don't budge, you did right.

Answer 8

You have all right to be mad, Tell that dead beat to go get a job and buy his own car. Get the car back and donate it to the local fire department and have him watch when they destroy it.
And yes it is possible to get a car inspected with a bad trans. most states they only look for safety related things like brakes, tires, lights and exhaust emissions, they probably didn't even drive the car. Your transmission can go at any time

Answer 9

I feel you on that and you do have the right to be upset, but to be honest I think you feel like what you did was for nothing. Just remember what you did came from your heart and if your family is too ungrateful to appreciate your gesture then that is on them and they shouldn't be so undeserving. I would just take the car back or arrange the car to be taken to a junk yard. Dont feel bad Hun, you tried and just remember people do appreciate gestures

Answer 10

I think it was nice of you but I don't think anyone has the right to be mad. I think you are upset because you tried to help. You didn't know the tranny was going to go because you wouldn't have put your money into the car. Just take the car back and say you tried to help. If your family didn't pay for the car than they shouldn't have gotten mad at all.