AITA for Allowing My Sister to Borrow MY Car Without My Wife’s Permission?
Based on a real Reddit post from a real person, I bring you an epic tale of marital discord, familial loyalty, and the almighty car. Buckle up, dear readers, because this story has all the twists and turns of a daytime soap opera.
The Setup
Meet our protagonist, a 32-year-old man, who allowed his younger sister (30F) to borrow his car without consulting his wife (32F). Oh, the audacity! His sister and her adorable 2-year-old daughter made the trek from Phoenix to Albuquerque, a six-hour drive, only for her trusty 2012 Jetta to start coughing up a “grinding noise” and lose its AC. Classic car drama.
Our hero (let’s call him Mr. Kia, since he drives a spiffy 2023 Kia Forte) being the generous brother, didn’t think twice before offering his sister the keys to his car. Why? Because Mr. Kia works from home, and his daily use of the vehicle involves dropping off and picking up his son from daycare—a whole 10 miles a day. Easy-peasy, right?
Enter: The Wife
Mr. Kia’s wife, however, didn’t receive a memo on this familial generosity. Upon learning of this “minor” vehicle rental arrangement, she flipped. Cue the slamming doors and fiery glares. Her concerns ranged from practical to dramatic:
The Double Standard
Mr. Kia, thrown back by the storm of emotions, reminisces about when he lent his old car to his wife’s brother, and nobody batted an eyelash. But now, oh no, when his family needs help, it’s like offering up the Holy Grail. Talk about a double standard! Mr. Kia points out his sister’s financial struggles post-brain cancer battle. He even had to cosign her apartment lease. Yet, his wife’s shock is akin to someone being told avocado toast is out of their life forever. Priorities, people!
The Escalation
In a dramatic climax (because what’s a story without one?), the wife tries to guilt Mr. Kia into changing his mind. She claims “we” need a nice car. Mr. Kia isn’t here for her tantrum and retorts that his sister can get insurance before she leaves. Bad move, buddy. Because the next thing you know, the wife is packing her bags and taking their son to her mom’s place, announcing she’ll return for the rest of her things the next day. Talk about a mic drop!
Roger’s Take: The Sassiest Opinion
Alright, dear readers, let’s break this down Roger style.
The Verdict: Is Mr. Kia the ‘Ahole’? Drumroll, please… NOPE.
Here’s the thing: Marriage is a partnership, not a dictatorship. Mr. Kia made a call to help his sister in desperate need. Sure, he should’ve communicated it, but let’s not act like he handed over the deed to the house.
The wife needs to take several seats. While it’s understandable to be peeved about not being in the loop, the reaction was a tad over-the-top. We’re talking about a car, not the family heirlooms. The argument that “we need a nice car” when she drives a brand-new EV? Girl, bye.
Mr. Kia’s sister, post-brain cancer, debts piling up from medical bills, needs a break. And who better to offer one than her own brother? It’s called being human. A little empathy goes a long way.
So, there you have it. Mr. Kia, keep rolling those windows down in the nice summer breeze while dropping off your kiddo at daycare. Sometimes being in the eye of the storm just proves you’re the calm amidst the chaos.
Until next time, stay sassy and always keep it real. Over and out.
Original story
AITA for Allowing My Sister to Borrow My Car Without My Wife’s Permission?
I (32M) recently allowed my younger sister (30F) to borrow my car without consulting my wife (32F), and it’s caused a significant issue. My sister and her 2-year-old daughter came to visit us and our parents for a few days before she starts a new job.
She drove from Phoenix to Albuquerque, about a 6-hour drive, but as she arrived, her car started making a grinding noise, and her AC compressor went out. Her car, a 2012 Jetta with 150k miles, is otherwise in good condition, and she’s always taken great care of it.
My sister asked if she could borrow my car for a few weeks until she got established at her new job. I drive a 2023 Kia Forte with only 3k miles.
Since I work from home and only use the car to drop off and pick up my son from daycare—a total of about 10 miles a day—I didn’t see an issue. I make the payments, and I’m the only one who drives it, so I figured it was my decision to make.
My sister even joked about taking over the payments if she liked it, and I didn’t mind.
However, I didn’t discuss this with my wife before agreeing, and she’s furious. She just got a brand-new EV a few days ago, which she makes the payments on.
Here are her concerns:
What if her car runs out of charge and she needs to go somewhere? My response was that she should keep it charged, just as I would keep my car fueled.
She thinks I’m giving away something I worked hard for. I pointed out that it’s my car, and I have the right to decide what to do with it.
I didn’t question her choice to upgrade her car, even though it increased her payments. She worries about our son needing air conditioning.
I countered that we only drive short distances, and I can roll the windows down. She believes my sister should get a new car instead of borrowing mine.
My sister recently survived brain cancer, which destroyed her credit due to medical bills. I even had to cosign her apartment lease two years ago, but she’s always paid her bills on time, so I trust she would handle car payments responsibly.
Two years ago, I lent my old car to my wife’s brother when his was in the shop, and she didn’t complain. But now, when my family needs help, it’s a problem.
My siblings and I had a rough childhood, and we’ve always looked out for each other. I’ve always helped my in-laws without hesitation, but when my family needs something, it’s a different story.
After a few hours of arguing, my wife tried to get me to change my mind, saying, “we” need a nice car, and that my sister isn’t insured to drive it. I told her to get insurance before she leaves, which wasn’t the answer my wife wanted to hear.
The argument escalated, and my wife eventually packed some bags and took our son to her mom’s place, saying she’d return the next day for the rest of her things.
So, AITA for deciding to let my sister borrow my car without consulting my wife?