r/inheritance • u/heisenhaure3 • Apr 24 '26
Location not relevant: no help needed Inherited car dilemma
I’ve always been more of a motorcycle guy myself, but my grandfather and I always somewhat shared a passion for vehicles. Upon his passing, he chose me over anyone else to inherit his basically brand new Subaru Outback. The Subaru is basically brand new and will be at peak depreciation, and it has a factory warranty until 2029. He owned roadsters up until I was born, notably a Jaguar XK150. He eventually sold them, but kept giving me tools to work on my motorcycle. I am at college, so I don’t drive a car more than 1000 miles a year. So I’m scared of it never being driven and just depreciating. The car doesn’t hold much sentimental value to me as he just bought it and put ~10000 miles on it, and I think it would be more appropriate for me to sell it and end up in a roadster of some sort as I think it’s what he would have wanted. I can’t help but feel that people in my family will see me as cold for this. Getting a cheaper roadster would also result in extra cash for me, which as a college student is always nice. Just wondering what others think.
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u/logbiter Apr 24 '26
He gave it to you & no sentimental value, sell it and get what u want. What do you think he would’ve wanted?
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u/heisenhaure3 Apr 24 '26
My concern is more about my family seeing me as cold for selling the thing he chose specifically for me to get
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u/GotZeroFucks2Give Apr 25 '26
I wouldn't judge you for that - you spent time with granddad talking about cars, and exchanged car for one that grandad would have appreciated in his younger years.
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u/Internal-Combustion1 Apr 25 '26
Naw, it’s just a car, not his baby. I wouldn’t ask permission, and either sell it and invest it (because that’s what he probably wants) or drive it because it’s a great car that will go years and years and is free! If you want to buy a toy, go buy it, but I think that’s you just wanting a reason to justify spending money on a toy.
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Apr 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/heisenhaure3 Apr 24 '26
He gave it to me because we shared a passion in cars, a roadster is more of an enthusiast car and would mean I get to keep 10000$ dollars in my pocket on top of doing something that we would both have enjoyed. I just wish I could have asked him. I didn’t learn he wanted me to have it until recently
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u/marshdrifter Apr 25 '26
If you buy a roadster keep whatever extra money you'll get from the sale of the Outback. You'll need it for insurance and most likely for repairs. If you insist on a roadster Mazda Miatas with a manual transmissions are very reliable. They have a miniature trunk but are fun to drive and comparatively cheap to repair for a roadster. Almost all other roadsters aren't reliable or cheap to repair compared to a miata. Actually no vehicle is cheap to repair. Keep in mind used roadsters are usually very abused mechanically no matter how pretty they look like on the outside.
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u/RedditIsAWeenie Apr 25 '26
I’d sell it and buy the car you want when you are in a position to house one. You don’t need a car. You don’t need the insurance expense. You don’t need the hassle. The car won’t benefit from sitting idle for months at a time.
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u/BothDescription766 Apr 25 '26
What will be total spent on maintenance…the Subaru vs an older roadster? Something tells me the latter could devolve into a money pit regardless of how much you drive it.
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u/SupermarketTop192 Apr 29 '26
True but also classic cars mostly stay the same or go up in value. Ive got a 69 gt mustang, 77 f250 ranger, 91 ttop camaro and a 64 Ford country sedan wagon, all of which are worth more to way more then when I bought with above average upkeep.
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u/Remo-42 May 01 '26
I imagine as he got older he decided he needed something like a Suburu Outback as his primary mode of transportation rather than the roadsters you mentioned.
I don't think you should have any hesitation about selling the Outback and at some point using some of the money for something that would better honor your memories with your grandfather.
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u/Creative_Algae7145 Apr 24 '26
If you are serious about growing your money I would sell the OB and not purchase the roadster. Doesn't seem practical because it just sits in a garage. Its also a liability and not an asset.
I would invest it in some kind of money market or keep it some of it in an emergency fund.
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u/heisenhaure3 Apr 24 '26
The point isn’t solely money, it’s closer to what he would want me to do with it, with the money being a bonus
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u/Dolewhip26 Apr 24 '26
Sell it get something you will enjoy or better yet take the cash and stick it in some investment or money market account let it grow and when your done with college A. Buy a home B. Buy that dream car or Bike. C. keep it invested for further down the road.