Keeping an Evora outside
Discussion
Evening all
We’ve been entertaining the idea of leaving London for a little while now, and my next fun car has consequently been on hold. With the current issues we may be delayed by another year or so, and I may well snap (in many potential ways!) before then. My question is whether an Evora can live outside or whether it’s going to result in issues? Me Elise (S1) always leaked so could never Have been kept outside for any length of time, but I’m assuming things have moved on?
We’ve been entertaining the idea of leaving London for a little while now, and my next fun car has consequently been on hold. With the current issues we may be delayed by another year or so, and I may well snap (in many potential ways!) before then. My question is whether an Evora can live outside or whether it’s going to result in issues? Me Elise (S1) always leaked so could never Have been kept outside for any length of time, but I’m assuming things have moved on?
Always kept mine outside, never any issues. They're far more watertight than my old Elise's ever were! Few minor points:
1. They can be prone to a bad seal causing a leak, especially into the boot or by a blocked A/C pipe - always worth checking when purchasing. Most cars should have been fixed now unless they've lived in the garage and the owner hasn't noticed.
2. They also like to collect muck/dirt/moss on top of the radiator which can block cooling (again, rare).
3. And don't park it on too much of a hill or angle (nose down, at least) as the water can build up in the sill and trickle over into the cabin.
Mine has spent quite a lot of time outside while the garage was in use for other things. Not an issue so long as you check it occasionally to check for any signs of water ingress etc.. The only issues I've had were:
1. A minor door leak close to the mirror on the passenger side.
2. Both headlights covers have required refurbishment as the UV eats whatever coating Lotus put on them.
I gather others have had leaks into the front footwells, I believe caused by a blocked drain hole at the base of the windscreen.
1. A minor door leak close to the mirror on the passenger side.
2. Both headlights covers have required refurbishment as the UV eats whatever coating Lotus put on them.
I gather others have had leaks into the front footwells, I believe caused by a blocked drain hole at the base of the windscreen.
My first one lived outside, my current one does some of the time.
There are 3 issues that I can directly align with living outside:
1. Leather dash shrinking and splitting at the seam in the middle (doesn't seem to affect later cars, eg my 2014 car is fine)
2. Passenger airbag cover clip failure
3. External A pillar trims warping
1 and 2 can be prevented by protecting the interior from bright sunlight - I use a Covercraft tailored sun shade, expensive but much cheaper than dash out. and a perfect fit. (its also the best made sunscreen I have seen)
3. I sort of treat these as consumables as they are not expensive and DIY fitting is simple, but if you can park the car so that the sun at the hottest part of the day is not on the front of the car this will help.
Other issues - door seals, some cars have weepy seals some don't mine have both been fine.
Obviously an outdoor cover will fix all these issues, however I think that the risk of paint damage is too high.
Aside from the above IMO they are no different from any other car when kept outside. I treat mine the same as my other cars, ceramic paint protection and removing bird droppings etc swiftly, and using it. Like all cars they work better if used.
There are 3 issues that I can directly align with living outside:
1. Leather dash shrinking and splitting at the seam in the middle (doesn't seem to affect later cars, eg my 2014 car is fine)
2. Passenger airbag cover clip failure
3. External A pillar trims warping
1 and 2 can be prevented by protecting the interior from bright sunlight - I use a Covercraft tailored sun shade, expensive but much cheaper than dash out. and a perfect fit. (its also the best made sunscreen I have seen)
3. I sort of treat these as consumables as they are not expensive and DIY fitting is simple, but if you can park the car so that the sun at the hottest part of the day is not on the front of the car this will help.
Other issues - door seals, some cars have weepy seals some don't mine have both been fine.
Obviously an outdoor cover will fix all these issues, however I think that the risk of paint damage is too high.
Aside from the above IMO they are no different from any other car when kept outside. I treat mine the same as my other cars, ceramic paint protection and removing bird droppings etc swiftly, and using it. Like all cars they work better if used.
Both of mine lived outside for more or less their entire lives with me.
The only issue I had was on the S (which was an MY11) where the black trim ahead of the engine cover deteriorated and cracked, but I believe they improved the part on newer cars.
Oh, and I once had the sticking brakes on my parents gravel drive. Managed to free one off by rocking it backwards and forwards but the other side wasn't having it. The old man wasn't impressed when he came home to find a 50 foot groove in the drive, but it let go with a bang as soon as it touched tarmac
The only issue I had was on the S (which was an MY11) where the black trim ahead of the engine cover deteriorated and cracked, but I believe they improved the part on newer cars.
Oh, and I once had the sticking brakes on my parents gravel drive. Managed to free one off by rocking it backwards and forwards but the other side wasn't having it. The old man wasn't impressed when he came home to find a 50 foot groove in the drive, but it let go with a bang as soon as it touched tarmac
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