Q: Girlfriend bought a car. How should I contribute?

crissave

Hi Forum:

My girlfriend recently purchased a car, which she paid in full. We both want to figure out a fair and equitable financial approach to sharing the car.

Logistically, we live separately in two different cities about 30 minutes away with no traffic. We currently see each other on the weekends where we run errands, drive to places where we can hike or mountain bike. We also like to go backpacking or camping at least once a month and sometimes more when time/weather permits. The car will stay with her where she lives.

In the past, she had an old car that she had for years before we met. Once we were more serious, I paid for half of the insurance, half of all gas, and half for any parts/services. We broke up for a few years, got back together, and became serious again.

Here are some other things for a bit more context.
- I make almost twice as much as she does
- My rent is twice as much as hers
- I pay $200/mo. extra for a garage in my apartment (I live in a very dense city and it's impossible to find street parking)
- She doesn't have/pay for a parking space at her place
- The car is new and was a substantial amount money
- Not that it matters, but we are both women

What is fair?
- pay a certain amount per mile?
- pay a certain amount of money each year - like a rental/lease?
- pay for a portion of the insurance?
- how much gas should I pay for?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.

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updated: 9/28

Thanks for the responses. They have been extremely helpful.

I wanted to also point out that when we got back together, she eventually sold the old car when it was unusable and we were carless for two years. During that time, we took public transportation or ride hailing apps (e.g., uber/lyft) to see each other or get around locally. We also rented cars to take our road trips, which we split in half. I say this because since we rented cars and shared that cost, it does feel unfair if she bare the burden of buying a car and I get the benefit of not having to split car rentals.

Thoughts?

[Deleted User]

Always good to have visitors from across the pond. Welcome y'all!

If you're in serious relationship, the car itself isn't the issue. It's how you split costs in total - e.g. Does someone always pay for meals out, or does one do more travelling than the other.

It's just something you need to agree between you as part of your relationship. The view of us Brits is neither here nor there. Culturally, thing may be different where you are.

MovingForwards

If I were your partner in this situation I would only like to have a contribution towards petrol and possibly a bit towards any repairs.

I would not expect anything towards the insurance unless you were a named driver.

Not sure if Americans do things different to us in the UK.

Doodles

I think you should contribute to petrol, perhaps she could do a tally of what she is using for your 'joint' trips/time together and then you put over an amount each month to her.

And I think its fair to make a contribution for repairs.

I don't think you should pay any insurance.

At the end of the day, the car isn't your asset so I don't think you should be putting up 50% of everything, but the car is certainly providing some nice freedoms for your relationship, so I think definitely a contribution on petrol and repairs is fair.

PrettyKittyKat

Another one for contributing towards petrol and possibly repairs. She would have to pay insurance regardless of whether you were together, and you are also paying for a parking spot for when she comes to visit you.

itsanne

I don't think the difference between earnings and rent is relevant, at least while you're not living together. What you should be doing is reimbursing her when you benefitting from the car costs more than if you weren't there, for example, if she's paying extra to insure you as a named driver, you should give her the extra it's costing. (Depending on circumstances, it might not cost anything extra.) You should split petrol costs for the times that affect you, including when she drives to see you if she ends up doing that more than you travelling to her because she has the car. I'm in two minds about repair costs. Maintenance costs are an inevitable part of owning a car. Unless her car is used significantly more because of you, she'd have those costs anyway. Contributing would be a nice gesture, but I don't think it's the same as 'paying your way' where other costs are concerned. Of course, if the amount the car is used because of you means that servicing becomes more frequent, then you should be contributing to that too.


I hope all goes well for you both this time around.

AylesburyDuck

I would only be paying half of "all" costs if i was getting exclusive use of the car half the time.
You dont say that you do, so in those circumstances i'd pay half petrol money on your trips, and maybe a small contribution towards repairs/service, in line with what percentage of "joint" use of the car you have compared to her "single" usage.

Ms_Chocaholic

Not answering your question but have you thought of renting out your garage as a parking space if parking is at a premium. I assume you don't have a car, it doesn't mention that you do. If you do, ignore above.

crissave

Thanks for the response.
That's correct, I don't currently have a car.
That's a great idea of renting it out, but the property manager also lives in the building and is pretty strict. I could ask if this is OK, but they will most likely be opposed to it.

Thanks!

Ms_Chocaholic

Can you ask if a "friend" can use it?

Oh and why do you pay £200 pcm for a garage that you presumably don't use; are the garages in short supply, is there another owner/tenant who needs one or does each property have one each.

Fireflyaway

I think it's really considerate of you to be thinking about this.
Well the car is her asset and she uses it the most. If I were her I'd be happy to pay for it but would be touched it you filled it up once in a while or paid for new tyres when needed.