Most fun car for narrow garage (4.6m x 1.8m)
Discussion
RoVoFob said:
This is why I’d need something with a hatchback! No chance of getting out of anything bar a Cappuccino using the actual door. Sadly I’d imagine it’s less than easy to clamber out a 350Z hatchback. Anyone tried this?!
If the shutter doors have no frame, how are they secured - would there be an external frame for these that goes on the outside of the existing brick pillars?
If so, the narrowest part of the garage would be the 194cm middle pillar and the 350Z is 181.5cm wide. That’s 12.5cm spare, compared with the 9cm spare to get Legacy through current frame. Considering how much worse visibility is likely to be in the 350Z, I think that’s practically impossible. Damn.
I'm with you now as to why you need a hatchback. If the shutter doors have no frame, how are they secured - would there be an external frame for these that goes on the outside of the existing brick pillars?
If so, the narrowest part of the garage would be the 194cm middle pillar and the 350Z is 181.5cm wide. That’s 12.5cm spare, compared with the 9cm spare to get Legacy through current frame. Considering how much worse visibility is likely to be in the 350Z, I think that’s practically impossible. Damn.
Edited by RoVoFob on Monday 13th January 18:12
A shutter door was suggested to me because I squeeze my 370Z Roadster through a single garage door and it is pretty tight. I've not looked into how they work/are fitted though.
I'm ok getting out once I'm in though because I have a double garage but with two single doors. Although I'd prefer one big door so I wouldn't have the stress of getting it in and out of the garage.
I do like your 350Z idea and I'm a big fan of them.
RoVoFob said:
Because I live on the outskirts of London and don’t trust people. And having to use a steering wheel lock would frustrate me constantly.
Also would keep the car a bit cleaner and more protected from rust.
Oh, and most importantly, my father-in-law didn’t believe I could park anything in there!Also would keep the car a bit cleaner and more protected from rust.
Chris Type R said:
An electric roller door (if there's the space) might free up the space taken up by your frame. Is there space in the house to put in a door/alcove to the garage to in-line with your driver door if reversing in.
In theory yes. Wouldn’t really work house layout-wise, sadly.I’ll definitely look into the different garage door options, though.
RoVoFob said:
If the shutter doors have no frame, how are they secured - would there be an external frame for these that goes on the outside of the existing brick pillars?
The only ones I've seen attach above the top of the door opening, but you'll need some height above it so it'll fit when rolled up. Edited by RoVoFob on Monday 13th January 18:12
Then they use a vertical track either side of the door opening, but it's fitted to the back of the brickwork rather than inside it like the white wooden frame you've got at the moment.
A Convertible would be easier to get in and out of than a hatchback!
RoVoFob said:
RoVoFob said:
Because I live on the outskirts of London and don’t trust people. And having to use a steering wheel lock would frustrate me constantly.
Also would keep the car a bit cleaner and more protected from rust.
Oh, and most importantly, my father-in-law didn’t believe I could park anything in there!Also would keep the car a bit cleaner and more protected from rust.
You’ll have it insured and in that league I’m not so sure the difference in paintwork preservation from being garaged won’t break the bank.
I used to wrap my cars on cotton wool as well, but you need to live too. I’d rather take the stick from my FIL & Park my ideal car outside. He’ll laugh as much if you compromise the car and can’t eat pies.
Having a trawl through ebay for your requirements brings up this
Fiat X1/9
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-X19-Fiat-Bertone-X...
Fiat X1/9
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-X19-Fiat-Bertone-X...
Mr Tidy said:
The only ones I've seen attach above the top of the door opening, but you'll need some height above it so it'll fit when rolled up.
Then they use a vertical track either side of the door opening, but it's fitted to the back of the brickwork rather than inside it like the white wooden frame you've got at the moment.
A Convertible would be easier to get in and out of than a hatchback!
Height above the garage door shouldn’t be a problem, I don’t think, so that could work.Then they use a vertical track either side of the door opening, but it's fitted to the back of the brickwork rather than inside it like the white wooden frame you've got at the moment.
A Convertible would be easier to get in and out of than a hatchback!
Yeah, I think you’re right. Sadly I’m very picky and don’t like 99% of convertibles - always think cutting off the roof invariably jeopardises handling, refinement, weight etc. A difficult customer...
nobrakes said:
Fair enough, but it’s not a Rolls Royce of Golf R.
You’ll have it insured and in that league I’m not so sure the difference in paintwork preservation from being garaged won’t break the bank.
I used to wrap my cars on cotton wool as well, but you need to live too. I’d rather take the stick from my FIL & Park my ideal car outside. He’ll laugh as much if you compromise the car and can’t eat pies.
True. If we weren’t on the edge of London, I wouldn’t worry about it being on the drive. Just know I’d be furious if anything happened to whatever I get and insist on moving house immediately! You’ll have it insured and in that league I’m not so sure the difference in paintwork preservation from being garaged won’t break the bank.
I used to wrap my cars on cotton wool as well, but you need to live too. I’d rather take the stick from my FIL & Park my ideal car outside. He’ll laugh as much if you compromise the car and can’t eat pies.
Second reason is that going down the classic car insurance route would probably be the biggest saving I could make, potentially making getting a second car much more viable and that’ll require the car to be garaged in most cases, from what I’ve read.
I hear what you’re saying. Most of the motivation for garaging something is my peace of mind. 350Z could be enough to persuade me otherwise, though. Since my FIL believes his diesel SLK is a sports car it would be fun convincing him otherwise with a 350Z ; )
TurboBlue said:
Having a trawl through ebay for your requirements brings up this
Fiat X1/9
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-X19-Fiat-Bertone-X...
‘No rust. No zits. No blisters.’ Ha!Fiat X1/9
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-X19-Fiat-Bertone-X...
Ticks a lot of boxes, but just doesn’t appeal somehow. Looks very tidy but a lot of money for a 1.5 Fiat to me.
RoVoFob said:
Yeah, I think you’re right. Sadly I’m very picky and don’t like 99% of convertibles - always think cutting off the roof invariably jeopardises handling, refinement, weight etc. A difficult customer...
You are completely right in thinking this and I was exactly the same as you a few years ago. I had a Z4M Roadster back in 2012 and everytime I looked at it or drove it I wished that it was the Coupe. I'd also always been a Coupe man previously too. Although due to my age/mid life crisis probably...I now absolutely love my 370Z Roadster. I love the extra noise you get roof down and it also adds a different dimension to the drive. Also if you are going to compromise with only 2 seats it is nice to have the flexibility of roof down motoring I reckon.
In my teens/20's though I just laughed at Convertible drivers and I thought what absolute numpties they were...I guess that is how most people see me now though!
cerb4.5lee said:
You are completely right in thinking this and I was exactly the same as you a few years ago. I had a Z4M Roadster back in 2012 and everytime I looked at it or drove it I wished that it was the Coupe. I'd also always been a Coupe man previously too.
Although due to my age/mid life crisis probably...I now absolutely love my 370Z Roadster. I love the extra noise you get roof down and it also adds a different dimension to the drive. Also if you are going to compromise with only 2 seats it is nice to have the flexibility of roof down motoring I reckon.
In my teens/20's though I just laughed at Convertible drivers and I thought what absolute numpties they were...I guess that is how most people see me now though!
I can see the appeal of a 370Z Roadster with the rooflessness adding to the noise and drama, which is its main selling point. Think I’d just long to be living in somewhere like Corsica all the time with twisty, sunny roads to exploit and the engine noise ricocheting off the mountainside. Firing it up in the south of England would just make me sad!Although due to my age/mid life crisis probably...I now absolutely love my 370Z Roadster. I love the extra noise you get roof down and it also adds a different dimension to the drive. Also if you are going to compromise with only 2 seats it is nice to have the flexibility of roof down motoring I reckon.
In my teens/20's though I just laughed at Convertible drivers and I thought what absolute numpties they were...I guess that is how most people see me now though!
Thinking about getting a second car is creating a bit of an existential crisis for me. I have a sensible - albeit thirsty - all-wheel drive estate, so if I get a second car what should it do? Looking back at all the cars I’ve written off it seems like having a distinctive-sounding engine - typically with six cylinders - is the key. And something that’s a bit louder and more dramatic would work nicely alongside the Legacy. Otherwise, it all feels a bit futile.
Oddly, the cheap choice, the 325ti, feels quite similar to the Legacy with similar feeling controls, refined six-pot engines, the feeling of being heavy but nimble and practically identical performance figures. Could strip out a 325ti to make a 325ti Superleggera, I suppose. That could work.
Meanwhile, the 130i is all a bit too sensible alongside the Subaru. Heavier steering and precision pedals made the Spec B feel a little clumsy when I drove it with far-too-light steering, even though I actually prefer it in isolation ride/handling-wise. 130i is the car I would (and did) have if I only had one car, but doesn’t seem to work as part of a two-car garage.
That leaves the 350Z and Corrado VR6. Have never driven a Corrado, but imagine it’s lower, louder and that bit more old-school, which could work well with the Legacy. Meanwhile, 350Z I expect to be altogether more physical to drive - great as a second-car but potentially enough to make me value the serenity of the Subaru, rather than making it feel bland and slow as the BMW did.
I think the only answer is a test drive road trip...!
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