keeping car?

ClaraMay

Hi, my husband has been newly diagnosed. So far his memory has not been affected but his speech has become unintelligible. He is not supposed to drive so I have arranged for a friend to transport him. 

Question: Should I sell his car now? Later when I need home care, it may be helpful to have a car for the home care staff to use. But I'm hoping that will be a way down the road and meanwhile, I have to maintain the car, pay registration and insurance. The keys are carefully hidden. 

Any thoughts? 

Clara M. 

Lindsay22

I would sell it. My mother's caregivers won't drive our vehicles or their own to transport my mom.  On the rare occasions this has been needed they have called an Uber and added the cost to my bill.  Used cars are in demand right now, no need to have that monthly expense IMO.

loveskitties

If you have another car that you drive, I would say sell the oldest/least reliable car unless you feel you need a backup to drive if yours breaks down.

Best way to decide is to consider what you would do if it was just you...after all that is really what it is since he can no longer drive.

Stuck in the middle

I sold the older car when my wife quit driving.  I can't drive two cars at a time.  If I ever have in home care, they'll be arriving in their own cars.  A lot of the home health agencies around here use company cars.

It has been 3-4 years and I have rented a car only once, for about 3 days, when my car was in the shop.  The only downside to selling the old car has been the extra space in the garage for junk to accumulate. 

Cynbar

I finally sold my DH's car last year. It was paid for, but still had expenses -----insurance, excise tax, registration fee, annual inspection, occasional repairs. I added a rental car provision to my own car insurance for only a couple dollars a month, much less than I was paying for the car. I was afraid that DH would have a fit but no ---- he noticed once, I told him it was in the garage and he forgot about it. So glad it's gone.

harshedbuzz

I would sell a car.

Most HHA have cars they can use, if they take your DH for an outing. You can specify that when hiring privately or from and agency.

In addition to the costs of keeping the car legal and maintained, there's the reality that a car that isn't run regularly will develop problems from being parked- problems with batteries, electronics,  brake lines and nesting animals are common issues in cars that sit. And then there's the notion that you would be investing in an asset that is decreasing in value as time passes.

In your shoes, I would keep the newer, more reliable, sensible car unless he is already struggling to get into and out of it. This is a great time to sell a used car. If selling would upset your LO, tell him it's in the shop for a recall or something and waiting for parts.

HB

BassetHoundAnn

Sell the car. Now is a great time to sell a used car. Prices are up 40-50 percent from what they were six months ago due to the shortage of new cars and parts to manufacture new cars. 

And from what I've learned here on this forum...you want to simplify your life. Because things are going to get crazier and more complicated. One less car is one less thing to pay for and worry about. 

ClaraMay

Thank you everyone for the advice. It was good to get confirmation that I was heading in the right direction.

arselascripting4

I'd sell his car. I think it's even a little risky, as it may happen that your husband will still find the keys and use the car. Now you can get pretty good money for a used car, and it will also be an excellent replenishment of your budget, which I suggest you also need. When I saw the nissan silvia price, I was extremely surprised at such a cost of not a new car anymore. So I recommend you sell it as soon as possible. But maybe this car is dear to you as a memory of your youth. Then, of course, it's not worth selling it.