Payment for letting a friend park his Lotus Elise in my garage?

[P_Diddy]

Hey guys, I could use some opinions on this intriguing offer. Here's the deal....my friend is on the wait-list for an Elise. He lives in an apartment complex and doesn't want to park it there, so he would want one of my garage spots for about 6-9 mo until he buys a house.

What would be fair 'payment' for this?
Some options that he and I thought of so far are:
a) monthly payment (not sure how much $$ though, any suggestions?)
b) he offered to let me autocross it with him
c) occasional driving priveleges
d) combination of above 3
e) ??

Let me know what you think!

[vegaseric]

If it's truly a friend, then I wouldn't expect (nor ask for) anything. A case of Newcastle would do me fine if he insisted that I take something for my troubles.

[GeeWillikers]

Originally Posted by vegaseric

If it's truly a friend, then I wouldn't expect (nor ask for) anything. A case of Newcastle would do me fine if he insisted that I take something for my troubles.

Exactly. I wouldn't take a thing. If he is really a friend, you'll be tracking it with him anyway.

I've found that (occasionally) business between friends causes friction in the friendship. If you take money to store his car, it could be construed as an implied contract. If something happens to the car while in your custody, you could be liable.

Don't laugh - I've seen weirder stuff happen. Something to think about.

[mkerley]

I'd go for B+C although I might be a little scared to push a car like that to its limits at autocross just out of the fear that something might happen. It'd be fun though. Take it for a drive and then make him buy you a beer or 12. done.

[xswl0931]

I'm with the others here. If he's a friend, don't ask for money and refuse it if he offers. Just go for the autocross. I probably wouldn't ask for occasional driving privileges, unless he was in the car. Wouldn't want to be responsible if something happened.

[ashadiow]

Yeah, forget money, just see if he'll let you drive the car.... MMMM these things are like little rockets.

[nhazra]

Come on Patrick!!!!!!!You cheap bastard, just playing with you. I think it depends on how well you know the guy. If you guys are pretty close I'd say let him park for free. I would

[mrb]

Depends if it's an empty slot in there right now (will you have to park something outside to accomodate?) and if he'll need his own garage door opener (coming home at all hours of the night, etc).

[P_Diddy]

Originally Posted by mrb

Depends if it's an empty slot in there right now (will you have to park something outside to accomodate?) and if he'll need his own garage door opener (coming home at all hours of the night, etc).

Those are both good points. I currently park both of my cars in the garage, and if he uses the spot, I'd move my accord to the street and have to give him a garage door opener. It's a slight inconvenience but I don't really care about keeping the honda clean anymore.

He's a friend/co-worker. He's a little older and has a kid, so we don't hang out outside of work but we talk about cars, food, home theater equipment, & more cars at work, lol.

He's still probably about 10 months away from actually getting the car, so I have a while...

[mrb]

Well then Mr. Combs, I'd charge him then Nothing is free but death and taxes If it was your supertight, longtime friend, I'd do it free. But if I had to park a cage outside, I want some $

[Andyl]

Yes what Mrb said co-worker/friend a little monthly fee for the inconvience of parking your car outside. If he doesn't like that idea theres always ministorages!!!