Using a garage to store a car / bike?
Discussion
The car lives outside, 3.5 motorbikes and various other crap fill the garage.
When I bought my place a garage was a must, and I can't believe how many places I saw which had converted the garage in to an extra room. Mind you while they're fine for bikes most single garages are very tight for modern cars. My parents have a 3 bay garage, the 406 is too wide and Freelander too tall to get in the doors
When I bought my place a garage was a must, and I can't believe how many places I saw which had converted the garage in to an extra room. Mind you while they're fine for bikes most single garages are very tight for modern cars. My parents have a 3 bay garage, the 406 is too wide and Freelander too tall to get in the doors
My drive is at such an angle that anything with less than 4x4 levels of ground clearance couldn't get in the garage. Unfortunately the garage was too small for most 4x4s.
I converted mine into another room about 4 years back. It's now got a bunch of kids toys in it, plus a home cinema setup complete with projector.
I converted mine into another room about 4 years back. It's now got a bunch of kids toys in it, plus a home cinema setup complete with projector.
I garage mine, and our other two cars park on the drive. Despite the fact that every house in my street not only has a good sized single garage, but also off-street parking for at least two cars, the street is littered with cars and vans.
Hardly anyone uses their garage for it's true purpose.
Hardly anyone uses their garage for it's true purpose.
I bought my house because of the garage.
It's strictly for my cars, tools and associated workspace. Mrs Mute hates the fact I make her keep her motorbike and car outside.
For many, it's just another room of the house that doesn't have a radiator - hence the usual stockpile of crap.
What really gets me is those who have a very nice/sizeable pile with a massive garage and it's still full of rubbish whilst the cars dwell outside.
Appreciably, they may not be enthusiasts but I'd rather keep the car out of the rain or not have to scrape the frost off every morning for the sake of a clear-out.
It's strictly for my cars, tools and associated workspace. Mrs Mute hates the fact I make her keep her motorbike and car outside.
For many, it's just another room of the house that doesn't have a radiator - hence the usual stockpile of crap.
What really gets me is those who have a very nice/sizeable pile with a massive garage and it's still full of rubbish whilst the cars dwell outside.
Appreciably, they may not be enthusiasts but I'd rather keep the car out of the rain or not have to scrape the frost off every morning for the sake of a clear-out.
I have never known anyone with a single garage to put a car in it.
I imagine the stupidly narrow standard width doors put people off, but even when inside is it possible to get in and out
of a modern size saloon or coupe with large doors?
I guess the standard door width is a relic of the 70's along with some of the narrow width spaces and access to car parks built around that time, but happy to be corrected.
I imagine the stupidly narrow standard width doors put people off, but even when inside is it possible to get in and out
of a modern size saloon or coupe with large doors?
I guess the standard door width is a relic of the 70's along with some of the narrow width spaces and access to car parks built around that time, but happy to be corrected.
My car occupies my garage but I think I'm in a minority. I can understand it because I too need an extra bedroom in my 3 bed semi but giving up the last bastion of my house is something I will continue to resist. Some guy at the end of the road has even built a breeze block wall about 6 foot into his garage so he has a room behind it but still has a small "shed" for his tools.
People doing this should get planning permission as our neighbours had to pay a fine when they sold their house as it breached something or other.
I confess that if I ever sold the 'Stang, i would be tempted to convert it. Luckily, as the drive slopes and there is no side land, the prospect of converting and building a free-standing garage are nil and I have too many tools in there to store without doing something similar to the "breeze-block wall" described above.
I should add that my mate did his but only because once he parked his Camaro in his garage, he couldn't open the door. My garage is a modernish Persimmon built one and rather more generous than other builders and doesn't have any intrusive soil pipes etc to stop the Mustang doors opening.
People doing this should get planning permission as our neighbours had to pay a fine when they sold their house as it breached something or other.
I confess that if I ever sold the 'Stang, i would be tempted to convert it. Luckily, as the drive slopes and there is no side land, the prospect of converting and building a free-standing garage are nil and I have too many tools in there to store without doing something similar to the "breeze-block wall" described above.
I should add that my mate did his but only because once he parked his Camaro in his garage, he couldn't open the door. My garage is a modernish Persimmon built one and rather more generous than other builders and doesn't have any intrusive soil pipes etc to stop the Mustang doors opening.
Edited by LuS1fer on Tuesday 24th April 13:54
Bezerk said:
I have never known anyone with a single garage to put a car in it.
I imagine the stupidly narrow standard width doors put people off, but even when inside is it possible to get in and out
of a modern size saloon or coupe with large doors?
I guess the standard door width is a relic of the 70's along with some of the narrow width spaces and access to car parks built around that time, but happy to be corrected.
mx5I imagine the stupidly narrow standard width doors put people off, but even when inside is it possible to get in and out
of a modern size saloon or coupe with large doors?
I guess the standard door width is a relic of the 70's along with some of the narrow width spaces and access to car parks built around that time, but happy to be corrected.
Cotty said:
Yep. Round my way it seems they fill the garage with wothless rubbish and leave the expensive depreciating car on the drive.
You say that as if the fact it is on the drive and not in the garage will make it depreciate faster.I am not sure that is true for perhaps 95% of the car parc.
All 3 cars outside on the driveway, the 2 older ones covered with waterproof lockable covers when not in use. These covers are easy to put on/take off, and very effective. I am a firm advocate since first buying one. Protects against weather, frost, birds, other animals, tree sap, accidental damage and vandalism. Garage full of tools and numerous mountain bikes. The shed is also full of tools etc. If I have storage space it gets filled up very quickly. I am perfectly happy having the cars outside as I live in a quiet village and have the entire frontage gravelled. From security point of view nobody could approach quietly!
I have considered building a garage extension to get all the cars in but would rather spend the money on petrol and beer..I don't know anybody that uses their garage for storing their car, oh except the gfs dads Caterham, but that is the exception. Also, unless you have a modern house (or have purpose built your own garage/carport) the dimensions of the average garage will not take the average modern ever expanding family car. My Grandad only had a Maestro, but always kept it in the garage of his 1930s house ( a very tight squeeze) and towel dried it every time he had been out in the rain. He spent half his life getting it out or putting it in..not ideal
I have considered building a garage extension to get all the cars in but would rather spend the money on petrol and beer..I don't know anybody that uses their garage for storing their car, oh except the gfs dads Caterham, but that is the exception. Also, unless you have a modern house (or have purpose built your own garage/carport) the dimensions of the average garage will not take the average modern ever expanding family car. My Grandad only had a Maestro, but always kept it in the garage of his 1930s house ( a very tight squeeze) and towel dried it every time he had been out in the rain. He spent half his life getting it out or putting it in..not ideal
Bezerk said:
I have never known anyone with a single garage to put a car in it.
I imagine the stupidly narrow standard width doors put people off, but even when inside is it possible to get in and out of a modern size saloon or coupe with large doors?
My neighbour keeps his E92 3-series coupe in his standard sized single garage. So it seems to work.I imagine the stupidly narrow standard width doors put people off, but even when inside is it possible to get in and out of a modern size saloon or coupe with large doors?
My garage is in a block; it's a nice safe area, they are overlooked by at least a dozen properties and are well lit at night - so no safety or security issues.
The properties (maisonettes) all have good sized storage sheds as well as a garage.
There are roughly sixty lock-ups there and, as far as I can tell, only five are used for parking cars overnight (including mine).
The properties (maisonettes) all have good sized storage sheds as well as a garage.
There are roughly sixty lock-ups there and, as far as I can tell, only five are used for parking cars overnight (including mine).
I don't understand how people can't fit modern cars into single garages, ours regularly has dad's e type in it (Granted, fairly narrow but quite long) and on more than one occassion has had an F355 or 360 in there with no problems? Needless to say, my punto fits no sweat... 
We only have one garage and three cars, so it's often a case of who gets home first wins!
We only have one garage and three cars, so it's often a case of who gets home first wins!
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