How to approach a dying old lady about her car?

My dilema. My moms 60 year old neighbor is slowly dying of emphysema. I know for a fact she has a late 60's early 70's Barracuda or Challenger sitting in her garage. Im not to sure exactly which one it is because its covered by garage junk. That car has been sitting in that garage for as long as I've been alive. Who knows that car might be a diamond underneath all that junk. Its very rare that I even see that car at all since she lives on her own and she doesnt have the strength to open the garage door. Now my question is how do I approach the old lady about selling the car to me without feeling guilty knowing that Im just going to turn around and sell the car to some idiot that would pay a zillion dollars for a car like that?

 

how dare you................


whats her address...........

 

knock on her door and ask

 

This sounds like a quality plan. She might even be able to use the cash for some of her expenses and feel relieved that its gone and not taking space. So it could be a win win situation.

Who knows, you might find more gems in that garage. There are antique collectors everywhere.

 

If you don't knock on her door and ask, some else will. If your Mom has been a good neighbor to her for a long time you have a better chance then a "stranger". Be polite and sympathic, but ask. You will kick yourself in the butt later if you don't.

Make sure you shower and wear a clean shirt tucked in....and comb your hair

 

I agree with hotrodladycrusr....do it NOW or you might regret it. If she says "no" take the high road and ask her if you can help her in any way. Even if she does not part with the car, you at least can do something good for somebody that has a need. Best,
Ebert

 

If I make a good dollar off of it I will for sure give her a nice chunk of change.

 

Approach her like this..
Walk up very slowly behind her and then wave you hands in the air and say BOO!!!

 

That sounds like a good idea.

 

What's your mom's address? I'll take her with me to smooth things over. I'll park my truck and trailer around a side street to not be so obvious!

What have you got to lose? Ask your mom to ask her for you but if you do go, see Denise's recommendations!

 

What dollar amount should I offer her?

 

that sounds like a good idea too but if she dies the banks will be the new owners.

 

She might even give it away. I wouldn't offer unless she tell ya a ball park.

If she gives you trouble.... break her hip or something !!

 

sixty isnt that ancient.
she probably isnt as out of touch as you might think.
just cause she has emphysema doesnt mean shes got brain damage.
if you feel uncomfortable asking her yourself
use the only insider youve got.
thats right,MOMS
she probably knows her at least casually .
have her ask the lady in casual conversation
"ya know, my son was wondering if you still had that old car in the garage?
he messes with that old stuff all the time and was wondering if you would want to sell it.
he said he really liked it and would like to buy it and fix it up".
chances are she wont live long enough to see you count your money from the sale.
i know its sneaky but it will probably work.

 

My great aunt had a Dodge Dart Swinger none of us grandkids wanted (or still would want actually) but some nice neighbor kid came a knockin' about 6 months before she went into a nursing home. With her blessing this skinny kid in Fredricksburg Texas was blasting around in an old Dart. It was the 340 2-door, beige and ugly as shit, but this kid was in love. Do yourself a favor: knock on the lady's door and listen patiently as she tells you the story of how she bought the car. It might become yours.

 

Good point.. she might make you listen to a story or something... so get good sleep before you go.

 

yeah ill take an ipod with me or something.

 

hahaha, nice.

 

So either I brake her hip or ask?

 

60 is the new 50. unless you have emphesema and walk around with an oxygen tank and still smoke.

 

Have your mom ask her about it. Right now, you will kinda appear like a vulture, especially if you really never paid her any mind.

If you decide to go yourself. Be VERY presentable (NO hot rod t-shirts)!

 

Thats what im afraid of, looking like a vulture.

 

NO, no, no, you ask first, then if she doesn't cooperate you break her hip. Man the kids these days, no respect.

Before you start offering large amounts of cash, you might want to have a look at it. Might be a real good reason its burried in the garage, might be junk. Gene

 

Well ask first.

 

Her husband is dead and I believe she has one older son but he hardly comes around so Im thinking either they have no idea what they have sitting in there garage or just dont really care.

 

You're gonna feel like a vulture anyway. Buck up, big guy, knock on the door and ask.
But....you get the car in running shape, go back and give the lady a memories ride through town. Also, see if you can help her self off some of those antiques to help with the bills,(if she's willing), and be a gentleman about it. If there's really not that much in the garage worth trying to sell off for her, give her a hand cleaning it up.

Roger

 

Think Deuce Bigalow male gigolo..

 

Maybe I'll bake her a cake with one of those springed boxing gloves in it.

 

6Duececaddy, THAT was funny!

 

Haha, Take one for the team !!