Which cover should I buy for my new car?
Which cover should I buy for my new car?
Author
Discussion

TomArtcousticUK

Original Poster:

40 posts

164 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
Hi All,

I purchased my first ever 911 last weekend and I'm loving every second behind the wheel! It's a 997 GTS (2WD) with the PDK 'box in Meteor Grey.

The problem I have is that having taken the vehicle home from the dealership (Porsche Centre Hatfield - great guys), I discovered that it is too big to fit in the garage along with all of the other crap that's in there! (Schoolboy error, I know.) I do, however, have a car port that I can use instead, the only problem being that's exactly where to put your car if you want hundreds of cat paw-prints all over the damn thing!

Anyway, so I am hoping someone will be kind enough to offer me some advice as to where to go to get a decent (cat proof) cover, and which one I should buy. Call me old fashioned but I just don't believe the spiel the websites all offer, I'd prefer some advice from someone with experience on the subject!

So, remember it's going in a car port. Do I need an outdoor cover, or an indoor one? Rain won't get in, but air-bound moisture almost certainly will. If an indoor one will be OK, will this be easier to fit/remove than an outdoor one?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

:0)


bigunit00

890 posts

177 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
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Specialised car covers have a great range that fit each car perfectly

woppum

1,137 posts

216 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
Car port means it has a roof but no doors? If so an indoor ne will be fine, that's what I use for mine.

rigster2

126 posts

176 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
If its a daily driver I wouldn't bother.

Unless the car is totally clean there is more damage done by dragging dirt from the tires and bodywork over the paintwork when putting the cover on, than is prevented by having the cover....


madala

5,063 posts

228 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
If it's a daily drive which I presume it is as it's new......don't bother...it's only a car.

But if you must Specialised Car Covers are good......

Rockster

1,515 posts

190 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
Outdoor cover. Even under a carport wind will blow in rain and there'll bird mess to deal with. In colder weather the carport roof drips condensation down on my car.

As others have pointed out the car must be dry and clean. For a DD this is impossible.

For keeping the cats off there are all sorts of home remedies. I have no direct experience. You might try some kind of cat repellent. Citrus oil IIRC is unpleasant to cats. Be sure this can't harm the cover or the car's finish. You may want to just sprinkle some around the car and far enough out that the cats can't easily jump over it.

If you can train the cat or cats by keeping an eye out and when you see a cat even getting near the car spray the cat with water from a garden hose. Trouble is if you live in an area that has lots of nocturnal cat action -- is there any other kind of cat action? -- you'll be doing car guard duty 24/7 at least until the cats get the message.

Hey, how about cleaning out the garage? Throw away, give away what you don't want or need and if necessary store the rest.

Nothing you have in the garage is worth anything near what the car's worth.

MDian

2,893 posts

201 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
Specialised covers without a doubt; would also recommend an outdoor cover despite being under a carport because of condensation etc. I have the stormshield version but they also do a stormshield lite which might suit better. As said though, they can be a hassle and the car needs to be pretty damn clean to use it, so if you will be using the car as a daily, don't bother.

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
As mentioned above car has to be spotless before putting cover on to avoid damage. Won't work for you - you might as well clean paw prints off each day.

IanHug

414 posts

267 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
Rockster said:
For keeping the cats off there are all sorts of home remedies.
Airsoft BB works very well.

TomArtcousticUK

Original Poster:

40 posts

164 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
Hi All,

Thanks for your suggestions! It's not a daily drive, for security reasons during the week and whilst I'm away for any length of time I actually intend on storing the vehicle at my parents' car port (as they live not far away) with their car parked in the way so as to avoid any possible theft. I plan on only using the car over the weekend and will park it outside my own property whilst not in use. The cover really is mainly to protect against the bloody cats that simply cannot be stopped walking all over the cars when parked in their car port! As I will be taking the car back to here on a Sunday I will take your advice and make sure the car is jet-washed and chamois leathered before being put away.

Your responses are all appreciated.

:0)

anonymous-user

84 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
IanHug said:
Airsoft BB works very well.
£5,000 fine and 6 months in prison if you're caught apparently.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/467027...

I am certain Clyde from the article won't be jumping on to any cars any time soon though.

IanHug

414 posts

267 months

Sunday 10th February 2013
quotequote all
Air rifles are a bit different from air soft. One fires lead pellets and does damage, the other fires lightweight plastic balls at low velocity that sting but won't break the skin.

lumpystew

579 posts

174 months

m33ufo

4,959 posts

261 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Buy a shed for your crap and put your car in the garage ... simples smile

TonyB66

243 posts

200 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
m33ufo said:
Buy a shed for your crap and put your car in the garage ... simples smile
This

andy102

130 posts

199 months

Monday 11th February 2013
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Clean out the garage, I've had a few outside covers and none have been good.

Chris_

483 posts

236 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Mine has been spending the winter under the car port as the garage is temporarily full of crap. I bought an "official" Porsche cover which proved to be fairly useless. It created loads of condensation underneath, and not worth using against the few drips that come off the roof of the car port.

The moral of the story is to get the garage cleared out.

mollytherocker

14,465 posts

239 months

Monday 11th February 2013
quotequote all
Is the crap in your garage worth more than your car?

You have a garage! Get the crap out and get the car in it!

To avoid any confusion, USE THE GARAGE!

Rockster

1,515 posts

190 months

Tuesday 12th February 2013
quotequote all
TomArtcousticUK said:
Hi All,

Thanks for your suggestions! It's not a daily drive, for security reasons during the week and whilst I'm away for any length of time I actually intend on storing the vehicle at my parents' car port (as they live not far away) with their car parked in the way so as to avoid any possible theft. I plan on only using the car over the weekend and will park it outside my own property whilst not in use. The cover really is mainly to protect against the bloody cats that simply cannot be stopped walking all over the cars when parked in their car port! As I will be taking the car back to here on a Sunday I will take your advice and make sure the car is jet-washed and chamois leathered before being put away.

Your responses are all appreciated.

:0)
A car parked in front your Porsche will keep your car from getting stolen for about a minute longer. About the amount of time it takes to hook some chains to the 1st car and pull it out of the way. Then hook up and pull the Porsche up on a truck and tear off down the road. Or the thieves steal both cars and shove your parent's car in the drink, unless it of course has some value.

A pretty good theft safeguard is to use a security pole/post. See Security Direct for more info.

MDian

2,893 posts

201 months

Sunday 9th June 2013
quotequote all
Just to add to this thread, I've used a Specialised Covers outdoor cover on my Cayman R for the past 8 months and it has been fantastic; great cover, well made, nice snug fit and ensured the condition of my car always remained perfect. So pleased I bought one.

Anyway, I've subsequently sold my Cayman R, so if anyone is looking for a premium quality outdoor cover for their Cayman (sure it will fit all variants and maybe the Boxster too?) let me know, as I'll be putting it up for sale.