Leaving it outside.

[wildego1]

As much as it goes against the grain I will be shortly be moving to a place with no garage. I will have to leave my 4.0 98s outside. I think/hope it will be safe from vandals but wonder what the elements are going to do to it. Will the paint and carpets fade? Will a cover scratch it? It seems to be waterproof.
Would be interested to hear of anyone else's experience of such a daft act.
Cheers

[apeebles]

I used to leave mine outside (For a couple of years) protected by a covercraft car cover. Very expensive (And a pain when it froze!) but it did the job.

[Trefor]

Should be OK - it is only a car after all. How about one of those covers that just goes over the windows/top of the car? You don't really need to protect the paintwork any more than any other car.

T/.

[simpo one]

Shudder. Vandals and careless cyclists apart, I'd be concerned about water ingress in driving rain. A friend has a Supra that lives outside and the discs are always going rusty, so I'd go for the best cover you can find and get one that reaches the ground. Also make sure it can't chafe the paintwork in prolonged windy weather.

Good luck - personally I'd build a garage!

[alan_d]

I've kept TVRs outside on my driveway for the last 6-7 years with no problems from weather or vandals (except one freak event when a fox tore the roof fabric!).

Even if it is waterproof, a hood cover is a good idea at this time of year to keep the sun off the interior, otherwise a full cover if bird sh*t is a problem, but I would always take it off in very windy weather in case of chafing. Brake discs pitting won't occur as long as you are using it regularly, same as with any other car.

To be quite honest I think its less vulnerable to minor damage than in a cramped garage full of clutter.

[yellabelly]

On a TVR S3

www.classicadditions.co.uk/

£150 inc delivery and security lockwire and lock

[crimsonchim]

My Chimaera's lived outside for a couple of years, no cover, no problems.

Had a cheap car cover on another car once, took it off after a couple off weeks and the inside of the cover was the same colour as the car! Not good.

Discs show rust within 5 minutes of stopping! Soon clean off if used regularly.

"Old style" push button door openers are a bugger in the frost though...




>> Edited by crimsonchim on Saturday 19th July 23:55

[gixxer1000]

My Chim and now my Cerbera have sat outside, uncovered, for the last 18 months with no probs. The Chim did leak a little, but the Cerbie is watertight.

Also, no paint/interior fading at all.

I pondered a car cover, but decided not to bother as it would at times stop me from going for impromptu drives (couldn't be arsed taking the cover on and off).

If your Chim doesn't leak then you'll be fine without a cover.

If you do go for a cover, you need to make sure the car is clean when you cover it, as if not and it's windy, then the cover moving will make the grit underneath scratch the paintwork.


>> Edited by gixxer1000 on Sunday 20th July 10:58

[wildego1]

Cheer's guys.
Mind now at rest! Although I will think twice before taking any more foxes out

[the jiffle king]

Mine lives outside, and no issues, just make sure you check for one which does not leak, and that the seals are good. Been outside a year now, and likes being driven regularly

T-J-K

[jev]

Mine stays outside on the street, rain or shine.

When I'm feeling really mean, I even DRIVE it outside!

Actually, it seems OK to me - other than the usual London parking phenomenon (caused by the contact parking method employed by others, particularly 4x4s) which one just has to get used to.

I use the cover occasionally when its clean (the car that is!)