"Never Driven in the Rain" - Does anyone care??

[Charliebuck22]

Something I've never been concerned about but the more I look at online adverts from people the more I see people mentioning that they haven't driven the car in the rain.
A few questions which I would be very grateful for answers as I'm very intrigued. Surely water is water and I hope these people still wash their car regularly!

1) Does this make any difference to you when buying a car?
2) Would it put you off going to a dealership and seeing that the car you want to buy is left out on the forecourt rather than being in the showroom?
3) Is it more important for the top-end cars £50K plus to keep cars in a garage rather than outside.

I'm looking at buying a Rolls Royce Phantom but going to the dealership I noticed that they keep this outside on the forecourt rather than in their showroom. Also I'm not sure it will fit in my garage. Is either of these an issue do you think?

It is just something I have never thought makes a difference to your car, I'm now wondering whether the next car I buy from a dealership I should scope out the ones that are kept in a showroom rather than out on the forecourt??

Please advise.

[R1 Indy]

We are not in the 1950's anymore.

It makes no difference, cars are designed to get wet.

[Deluded]

Everyone knows that cars driven in the rain are rusty sheds. Pay a premium and only buy one that's been kept in a heated garage unless it's a glorious sunny day!...





No. No one gives a st...

[W00DY]

Depends on the car...






Honestly? No. It's stupid. Probably been parked in a damp garage anyway.

[stain]

The Phantom will be fine outside but if it has a sunroof check for leaks. The garage will need to be wide as well as long. The doors are very thick and make exiting the car tricky in tight spaces.

[jackh707]

Surely it's simply car dependent. it's something a Caterham/classic car owner might consider.

It can make quite a difference with motorbikes, a year round ridden bike can often look twice the age of a summer only bike.

[WhoseGeneration]

Charliebuck22 said:

I'm looking at buying a Rolls Royce Phantom but going to the dealership I noticed that they keep this outside on the forecourt rather than in their showroom. Also I'm not sure it will fit in my garage. Is either of these an issue do you think?
Please advise.

This claim is usually more seen in adverts for motorcycles, which can suffer if not wiped down after a wet ride.
Your specific concern, the dealership presumes the car won't be on their premises for long and, perhaps, forecourt exposure might expedite a sale. Your not being able to garage it might depend upon the area you live in. Me, if it's of value, or looks so, I'd want to be able to garage it, unless really out in the sticks.
In truth, any car will probably last longer if never driven in the rain, or in the winter in the UK.

[cymtriks]

Modern cars resist rust and other degradation due to the elements incredibly well.

Anyone old enough to remember the stuff we had before circa mid eighties will know that older cars just don't. They either need care or they need repair unless you are lucky.

Add to that the cumulative effect of missing, as opposed to being sat out in, every bad weather day since the car was built. Modern cars will be ancient before you notice the difference but go back three decades and the difference would be much more obvious.
Just google for Lancia and rust or for that matter Fiat, Alfa, BL, Datsun.

If you are considering an older car then yes, this matters. The problem is that there is no way of proving the claim!