Inherited a car, I wish I hadn't.

bagels

A close family member has passed away and has left me her car. I'll never feel right driving it as it'll constantly bring back sad memories. I've only ever owned older cars so I find this daunting to say the least. I'm considering selling or trading in but am having trouble wrapping my head around the whole thing so any helpful comments would be very much appreciated.
The car is a 181 reg Opel Mokka X Elite 1.4T 140PS FWD 4DR Petrol Automatic, as per the log book.
A Family member has suggested I should keep the car but I can't bring myself to do that.
Another suggested I sell it privately or to an Opel Dealer and use the money to buy a smaller 201 or 202 reg car.
It was also suggested that I go to the Opel Dealer who sold the car and ask them to do some kind of swap with me, the 181 Mokka for a 201 or 202 smaller Opel family car.
That third suggestion is the one that appeals to me most but am I living in dreamland thinking that a dealership would be bothered to do such a deal?
I don't have any money so my hands are very much tied.
Another problem is that its difficult to find a 181 reg Mokka Elite Automatic for sale online so I don't have a clue about the value of the car.
I probably sound like a whinger that doesn't realise how fortunate he is but believe me I want my family member alive and well, not the car.

Car99

If you have little to no cash running a car will mean you have even less. Do you need a car? If not sell it and use the cash for something you want to do. Private sale €15000 to €17000 should be achievable.

looksee

I'm not going to comment on the car because I know nothing about them on the whole. However I suggest you should not be in too much of a rush to part with it as, as time passes and the situation becomes less raw, you might find yourself glad to have kept it both for practical and sentimental reasons. Is it a car you would normally have liked to own? If it is, maybe find some way of storing it for a few months, even a year and then revisit the situation.

road_high

So long as the paperwork and finance all ok it’ll be just like trading in a car. No big deal. Those Mokkas seem to popular so I’d imagine trade in value will be ok especially against another Opel. Small autos and petrols are in demand at the moment too

road_high

But it’s not going to a straight swap. You’ll need thousands to change. New Corsa especially is only just out on the market. If you have no money the sensible thing is hang onto it

frillyleaf

I would probably not part with it too quickly especially if it is recent when the person close to you passed away. Can you put it into storage or park if somewhere for a few months and see how you feel then? Some people like having people’s old cars, others it isn’t so important. Take some time. I’m sorry for your loss

Sesame

I drive a car that was owned by a relative that passed away. I think of them everytime I get in, sitting in their seat and a couple of years later still think I find a faint whiff of their dog which is nice in a way.

Maybe when it is less raw, you would appreciate it for the happy memories it brought them and could bring you.

bagels

Car99 wrote: »

If you have little to no cash running a car will mean you have even less. Do you need a car? If not sell it and use the cash for something you want to do. Private sale €15000 to €17000 should be achievable.

Thank you for replying. I need a car and I'm currently driving a 2009 Opel. Your comment re a private sale is welcome and gives me an idea what to expect. Thanks again.

mickdw

Keep the car.
Sell the 09 opel for what ever you can get for it.
A mokka isn't a big car. Drive it and think of how lucky you have been.

bagels

looksee wrote: »

I'm not going to comment on the car because I know nothing about them on the whole. However I suggest you should not be in too much of a rush to part with it as, as time passes and the situation becomes less raw, you might find yourself glad to have kept it both for practical and sentimental reasons. Is it a car you would normally have liked to own? If it is, maybe find some way of storing it for a few months, even a year and then revisit the situation.

Thank you for replying. Even though its a fantastic car with all the bells and whistles (eg big screen on the dash), its something I could only ever dream of owning, yet I'd still be much happier in a small car. I don't have a means of storage unfortunately and the car has already been standing idle for almost 18 months. Thanks again.

bagels

road_high wrote: »

So long as the paperwork and finance all ok it’ll be just like trading in a car. No big deal. Those Mokkas seem to popular so I’d imagine trade in value will be ok especially against another Opel. Small autos and petrols are in demand at the moment too

Thank you for replying and thanks for the information.

bagels

road_high wrote: »

But it’s not going to a straight swap. You’ll need thousands to change. New Corsa especially is only just out on the market. If you have no money the sensible thing is hang onto it

Thank you for replying and thanks also for the information.

bagels

frillyleaf wrote: »

I would probably not part with it too quickly especially if it is recent when the person close to you passed away. Can you put it into storage or park if somewhere for a few months and see how you feel then? Some people like having people’s old cars, others it isn’t so important. Take some time. I’m sorry for your loss

Thank you for replying and for your kind condolences. There seems to be a consensus on putting into storage for a while. I hadn't even thought of that. Thanks again.

Wildly Boaring

Hi OP my condolences.

Is the car paid for completely?

Is your own old car running ok?

If so I'd sell the inherited car privately and drive the old car.

Keep 6 or 7 grand aside to replace your car when it gives up.

Put rest toward house deposit or ehatevr.

Selling privately can be difficult, not improssible. Get the price in the UK of a private one add vrt and a grand for ittrouble. Put another 500 on price to lose in the haggle.

Put your ad up here for some help if you want

Car99

bagels wrote: »

Thank you for replying. Even though its a fantastic car with all the bells and whistles (eg big screen on the dash), its something I could only ever dream of owning, yet I'd still be much happier in a small car. I don't have a means of storage unfortunately and the car has already been standing idle for almost 18 months. Thanks again.

The mileage must be tiny on it , you could do well trading it in , drop into the dealer where it was purchased and tell them your situation and see what they can offer you. They could probably take the 09 off you too and pass it on to the trade.

bagels

Sesame wrote: »

I drive a car that was owned by a relative that passed away. I think of them everytime I get in, sitting in their seat and a couple of years later still think I find a faint whiff of their dog which is nice in a way.

Maybe when it is less raw, you would appreciate it for the happy memories it brought them and could bring you.

Thank you for replying. I know where you're coming from regarding memories. I won't rush into anything and I'm glad I posted on this forum. Thanks again.

bagels

mickdw wrote: »

Keep the car.
Sell the 09 opel for what ever you can get for it.
A mokka isn't a big car. Drive it and think of how lucky you have been.

Thank you for replying. I'll sell the old Opel anyway and come up in years as I'll never get the chance to do so again. I haven't driven the Mokka yet so I suppose I should do so before coming to any decision. Thanks again.

mickdw

mickdw wrote: »

Keep the car. Drive it and think of how lucky you have been.

Based on my reading of the thread, I get the impression the OP doesn't think of it as a lucky car, if they inherited it via the death of a loved one.




OP, sell it and get rid. It's not a heartless thing to do. Don't let it become emotive. If the person was around would they rather see you penniless in a tarnished car, or with a few grand to spend on yourself to get yourself out of a hole?


No one would think any less of you for selling it on. Insurance costs might increase if you swap over to it, and that's even more money again. I doubt anyone you were close to would like to think of you up to your eyes in debt; feeling guilty about a ton of steel and rubber sitting out in the driveway.


Sorry to hear the bad news. Hopefully, in time, all will be better for you.

bagels

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Hi OP my condolences.

Is the car paid for completely?

Is your own old car running ok?

If so I'd sell the inherited car privately and drive the old car.

Keep 6 or 7 grand aside to replace your car when it gives up.

Put rest toward house deposit or ehatevr.

Selling privately can be difficult, not improssible. Get the price in the UK of a private one add vrt and a grand for ittrouble. Put another 500 on price to lose in the haggle.

Put your ad up here for some help if you want

Thank you for replying and for your kind condolences. The Mokka is paid for and my 'old' Opel is running fine. Your suggestion has given me plenty to think about. Thanks again.

TheAnalyst_

Sell it privately and keep the cash. Then decide what to do with the cash. Why are you looking to do swaps with an Opel dealer?

bagels

Car99 wrote: »

The mileage must be tiny on it , you could do well trading it in , drop into the dealer where it was purchased and tell them your situation and see what they can offer you. They could probably take the 09 off you too and pass it on to the trade.

Thanks for replying. It has less than 5k in miles. I'll certainly pay a visit to the Dealer and hear what he has to say. Thanks again.

Lantus

Right now it's all still raw. Don't make any decision right away because you're impaired in thinking straight. Your friend wanted you to have this car and it would of given them great comfort knowing you would benefit and enjoy it.

That said if after some reflection the car is a challenge then you can sell knowing you did the right thing for the right reason. Sell old car and trade in new one together. Just give a little time.

User1998

bagels wrote: »

It was also suggested that I go to the Opel Dealer who sold the car and ask them to do some kind of swap with me, the 181 Mokka for a 201 or 202 smaller Opel family car.
That third suggestion is the one that appeals to me most but am I living in dreamland thinking that a dealership would be bothered to do such a deal?
I don't have any money so my hands are very much tied.

Your not in dreamland. A relative died in my family but the car they had was a big jeep so they traded it in for a smaller car, straight swap. Its an easy option.

road_high

bagels wrote: »

Thanks for replying. It has less than 5k in miles. I'll certainly pay a visit to the Dealer and hear what he has to say. Thanks again.

They’ll give a big hit financially especially if not trading it in against something newer. You’d be far better off financially to keep it yourself rather than messing about with all this. I’m sure the family member who willed it to you would only be delighted to see it being put to good use. Sounds like the car itself is exactly what you’re looking for, the Mokka is pretty small and manageable in itself. New Corsa is probably just as big now

Bazzer007

It can be difficult to sell high value second hand cars privately. Most folks prefer to buy off a dealer when paying more than c. €10k. I'd try to sell it privately first & if it fails to sell approach a dealer & they may sell it for you. They will seek a cut of course. You should drive the Mokka first & then take a few days to decide if you wish to sell. A car is a depreciating assest so I wouldn't be in favour of storing it for a long period of time. Best of luck with your decision.

Casati

Bazzer007 wrote: »

It can be difficult to sell high value second hand cars privately. Most folks prefer to buy off a dealer when paying more than c. €10k. I'd try to sell it privately first & if it fails to sell approach a dealer & they may sell it for you. They will seek a cut of course. You should drive the Mokka first & then take a few days to decide if you wish to sell. A car is a depreciating assest so I wouldn't be in favour of storing it for a long period of time. Best of luck with your decision.

I would go to the dealer first and ask that they consider selling it for you - a main dealer will sell such a low mileage car easily and you should end up with a lot more than if your try to sell it privately plus avoid the added stress. I would say you should drive the car first as you might change your mind about it and feel better about hanging onto it

L-M

I would definitely go back to the Dealer, if you don’t want it. And not just that dealer, any dealer. Price around.

A small, petrol automatic car like that is very very sought after at the minute. I would imagine any Opel dealer would be very keen to get it off yours hands and swap you into something else.

As I said, price around. Try a few different garages. Tell them the real story and you’ll be fine.

_Brian

We inherited a car last year ourselves.

181 Corsa with just 9k kms on it.

It’s a blessing as our eldest is just age to learn to drive.

It was my wife’s uncle and when she was nursing him he came up with the idea it would be handy for us and our daughter. It was a lovely gesture and we wouldn’t dream of selling the car.

Bigus

The main dealer where the car was bought may be sympathetic to you , it’d be no harm to talk to them , also if you offer for them to sell the car on your behalf they may get you more for the car than if they had to pay for it immediately.