me too. my mates won't even ask purely out of respect, and i'm glad i have mates like that. It goes both ways, if my mate picks up a nice car as much as i want to drive it I refrain from asking, only when offered. I don't give two tosses if someone thinks i'm a tight ass for not letting them drive my car. I'm sure they wouldn't take any responsibility if they break something or get in an accident...who's the tight ass now?
I think you should have stood your ground abit harder though.