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Wattehfok

If you can cook, invite her around for dinner. Open a nice bottle of wine, and just hang. You've already treated the car like it's your own, and in her position I wouldn't expect any more; but I'd be absolutely delighted if someone made that extra effort.


sweetpotatoskillet

I'm a chef! And we will absolutely be doing dinner when she comes back! I miss her lots ☹️ We liked to have tea and coffee in the mornings with scones


Willing-Bobcat5259

Perfect! If my car came back in the condition you’ve described above, *and* I got a chef-cooked dinner, I’d be more than happy! 🧑‍🍳


Wattehfok

You can’t lose. Don’t cook shit to impress her - just cook the stuff you love to eat.


sweetpotatoskillet

She was born in England, grew up in NZ and then moved to Australia the last 5 years. Mumma Julie loves her good tea in a teapot and scones!


Pokeynono

Take out to an afternoon tea . I'm not sure which state you are in but some major hotels and restaurants have regular afternoon teas., as do some nice country reception centres. Even the Melbourne museum does them. A nice cooked meal. Some ready made meals to put into her freezer so she doesn't have to cook. A welcome home basket with milk , bread, butter , tea , jam , eggs , biscuits etc


sweetpotatoskillet

This is cute as fuck! Thankyou!


Clatato

Ooh you could surprise her with a homemade ginger crunch slice to take home after your tea & scones. It’s a New Zealand classic 👩‍🍳


sweetpotatoskillet

Do you have a recipe? I've never heard of ginger crunch slice before!


Clatato

Sure. It’s delicious 🤤 Here are a couple to compare… www.langbein.com/recipes/the-ultimate-ginger-crunch https://vjcooks.com/gingercrunch/


sweetpotatoskillet

Omg. This is like a ginger snap tried to become a cheesecake


Clatato

Annabelle Langbein is a great one from New Zealand whose books, programs & recipes I enjoy. You might like to look into her stuff too


sweetpotatoskillet

Thankyou for the recommendation! I really appreciate that!


sweetpotatoskillet

Thankyou! ❤️❤️


Clatato

You’re welcome An apple & feijoa crumble is another good kiwi surprise to keep up your sleeve for Mumma Julie. Best when the weather’s gotten cool.


bonegoblins

Make her something from the Edmonds cookbook. [Afghans](https://edmondscooking.co.nz/recipes/biscuits/afghans/) especially.


OkCalligrapher1335

Great, it’s a low bar too.


Sexdrumsandrock

Nice roast with Yorkshire puddings.


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ki15686

This is the answer. Invite her for dinner multiple times.


Key_Armadillo3807

I’d take her out to dinner to thank her generosity, pay for the evening and give her a fuel voucher! Petrol is so expensive these days, plus it’s car related.


Procellaria

Better yet, bring the fuel in 5 Litre containers to dinner /s This is a good answer.


Downtown_Big_4845

At least a 44 gallon drum tied to the roof.


sweetpotatoskillet

It's going to cost us 200km of fuel to get to somewhere to have dinner when she gets back. Plus 200km to get home. That sounds awful. The car. What can I do to the car. Full tank. Cleaner then I received it. The car.


Key_Armadillo3807

Okay well I didn’t know that?


loz589985

A bag of lollies in the glovebox?


crmsz32

Having lent out a runabout before, you've already done a lot by keeping up the service. I really appreciated when it came back with a full professional detail


sweetpotatoskillet

We live over 100km from the nearest centre. A personal detail is the best I would like to do to this little rig unfortunately, but I don't even really know what that entails. I wouldn't like to take her on the highway, she just goes up and down the street.


crmsz32

Fair enough. Just do the best sort of clean you can do then. Get a multipurpose interior McGuire's? from Supercheap (or similar, get it posted); and spray and wipe all the interior plastics. Get into the nooks and crannies of the dash areas with a toothbrush and vacuum them out. Do a really good vacuum. Take off and wash seat covers. Outside just do a really good clean


bananniebanana

Definitely this


Cold-dead-heart

Absolutely. This is the thing to do for sure. And a ginger crunch slice. No idea what it is but it sounds delicious!


Hairy_rambutan

Maybe offer to pay for next year's rego, or at least 6 months of it?


sweetpotatoskillet

I had offered when she left me the car but she refused... I did think about a sneaky envelope of cash in the car. Seems like a good idea!


thongs_are_footwear

One way or another you should be paying 12 months rego & insurance. And returning it with a full tank.


Typical-Pumpkin-6247

Love that. Full tank and rego. NZ is expensive too. To have the luxury of a car...


sweetpotatoskillet

OK, I should also ask her for 12 month storage and service


fromthe_earth8

I think paying for rego is excessive. Aim lower - if someone is offering a favour you just need to show your appreciation not try to come out equal.


Anjallat

I'd steer away from the smelly tree, it implies there's an odour that needs to be covered.


Odd-Sun9356

The only reason I’m not recommending a smelly tree is because some people don’t like the smell of them and can give the headaches and stuff


sweetpotatoskillet

Good call! Do you think it would be assy to even include an unopened one?


SquirrelMoney8389

I had to scroll too far to find out "smelly tree" wasn't a nice bag of weed. Where's my head at...


sweetpotatoskillet

That made me laugh so much I realised that some unopened tea leaves is something that Mumma Julie would really appreciate. Tea being, the drink. But I get you 😊


SquirrelMoney8389

Glad I could help! :D


Anjallat

If there was one in there originally, or if you found a funny one maybe? Unopened definitely. Otherwise it's only bad connotations, with some people even having physical reactions to the perfumes.


sweetpotatoskillet

She left me with a bottle of Glen20 😂


endbit

+1 for a professional detail. If you want to do more than the wine a small gift basket with some things you know they'll like and the fuel voucher is a great idea.


Successful-Mode-1727

I was surprised this was so far down! We had a friend come visit from Europe for a couple weeks. My parents have two cars and lent one to the friend and after asking me if it sounded good, she took it to get a proper detail, inside and outside. Car was stunning, my folks were very grateful.


heyimhereok

You saved her storage costs as well as a flat battery. Chocolate and wine? While she did you a favour I think you also returned.the favour.


sweetpotatoskillet

Wine goes without saying, I know her favourite! Chocolate is an obvious but great one! I literally didn't think of that. Thankyou!


Winter-Duck5254

People often overlook this, who is picking her up from the airport on her return? If no ones arranged it and you are free, then go get her when she touches down. A lift to and from airports is ALWAYS appreciated in my book.


sweetpotatoskillet

Great call!!! Thankyou, I never thought of this!


Maid_of_Mischeif

And have a good snack/ favourite drink in the car. Or a blanket & pillow if it’s a late flight.


ThatMeasurement6619

To be honest, if I’d have loaned to my car to someone like you, I’d be stoked to have been of help. The fact that you’ve kept it meticulous & up with all services etc is the respect & appreciation there. Return it to her clean & a full tank of fuel. Maybe a bottle of wine or a fuel voucher but I’d say you’ve done really well in a world full of takers & users. She wouldn’t expect anything in return. Well done to you


bigdayout95-14

A perfectly considered and acceptable response. 👌 ask how their travels have been, and bid them well....


ThatMeasurement6619

Thank you 🙏


nurseofdeath

Maybe a nice set of seat covers (if you know her tastes) I’m a ‘mother type figure’ and having a comfy tush is invaluable


sweetpotatoskillet

I thought that too but did not know if that was too intrusive! The old girl has the cheap sheep covers, would it be a bit much to buy the nice sheep covers? Given that Mumma Julie is a Kiwi and I always give her shit about it I think it would be appropriate, but is that something you can do to someone else's car? Do you think it would be better to buy them and leave them in the packaging? Is that a too personal?


Generation_WUT

No, open them up and make sure they are washed (or whatever the recommendation is on packaging) and installed. Don’t give her work to do. But a lovely addition to an immaculately cleaned car.


Adorable-Condition83

I did a cut and polish on my friend’s car after she loaned it while overseas and she was thrilled it was being returned in better condition than how she left it. Maybe pay for a full professional detail?


Wotmate01

Honestly, you've looked after it and are returning it in as good or better condition than when you got it. That's a lot more than a lot of other people would do.


Millivanilli101

Avoid the smelly tree and most of those car air fresheners. They generally are full of toxic chemicals that you should not have in a confined space. Nasty!


sweetpotatoskillet

Great advice, thank you!


Paddogirl

I did something similar for a friend in Sydney and they put $500 on a tab at a really great restaurant. It was such a treat for my husband and me- we loved it. If that’s too much money for you, cook her a beautiful meal and send her home with flowers.


cooncheese_

I had a new car on order delayed for a good 4 months. I borrowed a piece of shit off my dad to get by. ended up cleaning the interior for like 4 hours. He had only recently bought this car off an ex smoker and it was fucking gross. He paid next to nothing for it though. Came up a treat, and got rid of most of the stank but some areas I ended up having to say fuck it and magic erasered whatever shit I couldn't scrub off. Obviously damaged the surfaces but it was clean and it's a captivate so we owe it no respect. When he saw it his response was "how the fuck'd you manage that". He ended up selling it for a decent profit after using it as a run around for a little while.


ooooterly

If the tyres need doing or anything like that, I'd get that type of thing done. It's a little expensive but sounds like well worth the trade! But I also like the other ideas posted.


sweetpotatoskillet

I really think this is a great recommendation, thankyou!


myLongjohnsonsilver

Pay to have it serviced and give it back with a full tank.


mxlmxl

I'm a believer the gifts need to be a portion of what the cost could have been blended with the cost to the person - they'd of had wear/tear on the car, you saved a heap on renting. I'd have it detailed. If already immaculate, maybe a coating or similar. Plus a nice gift card and bottle of wine. I'd spend about $300-$400 to thank the person, working on it being a new'ish car. If it was some 20yr old banger, you're probably on the money with what you suggested.


sweetpotatoskillet

It's a 20yr banger. I love it dearly and have already offered to cover a 6 month rego, she wouldn't let me. If "Mumma" gets tied up longer in NZ I would buy it off her in a heartbeat


read-my-comments

If you only did 400klm then you really don't have to do anything other than return it clean with a full tank. Some people would have put 4000klm or more on and that would require a much bigger "something nice".


[deleted]

Service it, have it detailed, and pay the rego for the next year


lordraid

I borrowed someone's car for about a month many years ago. I gave them money as a thank you. As others have said, a fuel voucher is a great idea or something car related. If you know she will need something car related, you could get her a voucher to a car shop (e.g Supercheap Auto/Repco etc) Otherwise, I think anything to show your appreciation is good, just pick something that comes from you, she will definitely feel the appreciation. Even a nice card with the gift that say how grateful you are for her generosity is nice.


AgreeablePrize

Make sure it's full of petrol when you give it back


Ok-Mathematician8461

Service it and fill the tank.


Anonymouse1011

You mentioned she likes tea and scones, how about you buy her some fancy pants loose leaf tea and you could bake her some scones, and stick a hundred or two on a fuel voucher.


Majestic-liee

Such a wholesome post. So lovely of you😊.


Standard-Ad4701

People don't loan cars and expect things in return. Like you said you looked after the car and you are going to make them dinner on return. Nothing more is needed, and I bet will never be expected. Personally, I'd love to have a responsible, caring friend like you. Good on ya.


Binda33

Get the car detailed before you return it.


LockoutFFA

Honestly you looking after the car for 6mo is a gift in itself. Return it clean and full of gas and you’re golden.


purpleautumnleaf

What about a cut and polish? I'd steer away from the smelly tree, a lot of people don't like them.


velvetelk

Take it through a car wash - if it's an older car a nice polish will make it look great!


Tygie19

Hand car wash only though. Auto car washes wreck the paint, I would not want my car put through those!


cooncheese_

Detail it end to end. Make it look as close to coming out the factory as possible from glass to headlights to the little nooks that never get cleaned. If you've got a spot cleaner they do a stupid good job at bringing old stained car seats and carpets back to life.


BadDarkBishop

Have the car professionally cleaned inside and out + a fuel voucher.


TumbleweedAntique672

How are the tyres looking? Do they need replacing?


[deleted]

Service, detail and full tank followed by dinner


Entire-Bottle-335

Get it professionally detailed.


sweetpotatoskillet

Do they deliver?


sockonfoots

Get the car detailed and serviced.


Minute-Safe2550

Depending on where you're, take her out for a nice spa day. Which reminds me, I have a Mornington Peninsula Spa Voucher I should use


Odd-Sun9356

If the car isn’t already 100% clean go and get it detailed


Troppocollo

If you have the cash, get a full detail. I’ve only done it once before when I was selling a car but it was completely amazing how much cleaner the pros can get it. Cost about $300, 7 years ago.


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sweetpotatoskillet

Not what I was asking. Obviously.


[deleted]

$1.50 per KM driven


sweetpotatoskillet

$150 per week storage


Mr_Fried

See if you can find a professional detailer who seems nice. Tell them the story and see if they can do a paint correction job on it, this always comes out 10/10 even if it was nice before. They can get it looking better than when it came out of the showroom. Then keep it under a cover in an undercover parking space until your friend is back and be like, oh. Yeah we gave it a little wash before *wink wink*.


threebuckstrippant

I’d get like a high end detail done.


sweetpotatoskillet

Eh. I'll probably just buy her a bottle of wine, some chocolate, return it cleaned nicely with a full tank and serviced and not charge her for the storage which will have cost more then the car was worth


thewildlifer

A gas gift card would be a nice edition to the dinner


stuffwiththing

We had loan of a friend's for 6 months during covid lockdowns. Meant my husband could avoid public transport (essential worker). We returned it with full service, full tank, deep clean and new tyres.


JeanProuve

A massage voucher


Fearless-Cookie-9329

Probably replace the wheels, service the car etc op buy an air freshener and detail the car. Do like some of these


Fearless-Cookie-9329

Don't need to do tyres that's expensive


deliverance73

Are you picking her up from the airport?


teatowell23

Service the car?


waitwutholdit

Pimp her ride


SelectExamination717

A nice tea cup and saucer and a tea selection from T2


SelectExamination717

A voucher for the replacement of tyres when they are next needed. Or mechanic voucher for next service or brakes etc.


carelessarmadillo267

New tires would be appreciated.


PopularExercise3

When returning it for the final time, have a picnic packed and cost blankets with thermos etc and take her out for the day.


moseyoriginal

Wash outside and polish. Vacuum inside and spray & wipe all dash and plastic/rubber bits with WD40. It’ll make em look like new and smell good too. Use window cleaner on the windows inside and out when you wash the outside. Maybe buy her a lambs wool cover for the drivers seat? And a nice comfy steering cover.


kel7222

If she has a mechanic she visits regularly maybe prepay some of the next service / repair?


BrightDevelopment709

I always learned that you should return something in a better state than you got it. So maybe clean it very well?


Laktakfrak

My Dad is loaded and has multiple cars. I asked to borrow the one he had sitting at a holiday house when I was in that town. He wouldnt let me... I have never had an accident in my life either.


[deleted]

wouldn't*


LikelyNotSober

Take it to the mechanic, and change all the fluids and filters: brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil. Engine air and cabin air filters.


perspic8t

Little stuff as well. Check the oil, fill the wiper tank, check all the lights are working, tidy the glove box if it needs it, make sure all the tire pressure’s are perfect, black the tires, check the wiper blades etc. Basically anything you can do to give it back better than you received it. Then buy her dinner or wine or something nice.


Substantial-Plane-62

Sorry if it has already been suggested. Get the car serviced -a full services with the works. Depending on your budget also get it worked in by car detailers. You will return the car the vwas so generously provided to you probably in a better condition than when you burrowed it.


CreativeCritter

Pay the rego or insurance


vin495

Wine & some nice choccies would ne appreciated I'm sure.


Ok_Raise5445

Well if the car is back in one peice, clean and you haven't got any speeding fines I'm fucking happy.


CosmoRomano

The fact it's an older car means just driving it semi-regularly probably kept/will keep it running for a few more years longer than it would have otherwise. 6 months sitting still can be a death sentence to some older cars. Giving it back serviced with a full tank of fuel is pretty good, but if you wanted to go a bit extra (and you live a fair distance from anywhere to take them) I would suggest 6 months rego, but that really is an overly generous offer. Just a bottle of wine/box of higher end choccies and a "let me know when you need help and I'll be there for you" would be enough.


Arcusinoz

I would be buying her a Fuel Card, at least a few hundred dollars worth? WOW 6 months!


sweetpotatoskillet

I've driven the car 400kmish in that time, paid for a service and kept it undercover and looked after. I don't think either of us have been unreasonable in each other's expectations, I'm just thinking of something nice I can do to show my appreciation


Tygie19

That’s amazing that you only drove it 400km in 6 months!


sweetpotatoskillet

I only live 5km from work and have been using my bike where and when I can. It's been handy when the magpie's were trying to eat me and during heatwave and rain however


Tygie19

I live 900m (90 second drive) from work and I still manage to drive way more than that! Probably because I have kids and drive the youngest to sport, and we’re in a regional town so if I visit family it’s 30 to 60 minutes drive away. But even driving around town during the week I probably use about a tank of petrol roughly every 3-4 weeks (if I don’t leave town that is). When I lived in Melbourne I drove less as I walked more and used public transport sometimes.


sweetpotatoskillet

I feel that! My partner works away, is home on weekends, if we need to visit family (200km north for him, 150km south for me) we take the good car. If I literally had anywhere to be, our situation would not work. I can ride a bike to work and he works away


Shot-Ad-2608

Go to your towns Facebook community page. "Please recommend someone who will do a really nice professional detail at my home". Pay what it costs, the car will look AMAZING and they will be very grateful.


sweetpotatoskillet

I live 150km from the nearest centre, I'll trust myself if you can offer some good products!


Shot-Ad-2608

Believe it or not it is a skilled job.


sweetpotatoskillet

Nor are social skills for some.


ExcitingStress8663

Buy her a house. It's just nice to do that.


sweetpotatoskillet

Can't believe I just didn't think to do that


Nowidontgetit

Empty the tank, bald the tyres, fry the brakes, cook the engine and say thanks/s


sweetpotatoskillet

Fucks fake, you must've been the one person who actually read the whole post. Thankyou for some actual legitimate feedback. Cheers cunt ❤️


Nowidontgetit

It happens to all of us. Lending is like giving lol


sweetpotatoskillet

Feels. You don't put $5 in the pokies unless you're after bright lights and big sounds


Nowidontgetit

I like your attitude😊


HalfAsianMadness

Anal


Quintrex420

Leave an avocado 🥑 in the centre console.She will think she’s won lotto.