Another car covering thread

[AB]

Don't have garage space for another car but the time has come to look again at the 720s/Huracan idea, in time for the summer.

Getting rid of the Taycan in the next couple of weeks, it's always lived there next to the charger which is on the garage wall to the left.

I'd need some sort of covered space away from the sandy rain we always get which makes a car filthy within a couple of days of cleaning it but I've no idea what I could get away with in this space.

To the left is a standard height garage and I wouldn't want to obstruct the view from the windows behind. Couldn't get away with anything with doors and my wife would not be happy with a monstrosity of a structure sitting there.

Any ideas? Just a car cover is last resort.

[pneumothorax]

put a classic additions custom made outdoor cover on it.

there has been many a thread re this scenario and generally advice is to not bother. However someone on here mentioned they had an old Lancia outside under one and it worked well. I couldn't think of a better recommendation and so got one. It's brilliant. High quality and fits really tightly.

not cheap

[AB]

Thanks, they're not expensive compared to any sort of structure so I'm obviously fine with that, half the pleasure is looking at the car though

[Phil.]

TGE has added a couple of car ports to each side of his house. Wooden structures I recall. I’m sure they could be free standing too with some plants growing over them. Check out his videos for links.

[alscar]

I’ve had Classic Additions indoor covers and they are seriously good covers and well worth the money.
However for a car living outside ,those covers can be a right pita to get on and off.
Putting a even slightly dirty car under one can cause scratches etc.
I ran out of garages and wanted a Dark Horse Mustang as a daily so that just lives on the drive now.
I did get it ceramic coated though.

[AB]

I don't suppose it'll do any harm to have it outside in the elements, it's a car after all, but not being driven much, it might prefer to be a little warmer and not rained on all the time. Perhaps it won't make a difference but we're talking perhaps slightly more delicate than average electronics etc.

[alscar]

AB said:

I don't suppose it'll do any harm to have it outside in the elements, it's a car after all, but not being driven much, it might prefer to be a little warmer and not rained on all the time. Perhaps it won't make a difference but we're talking perhaps slightly more delicate than average electronics etc.

In an ideal world would obviously agree as to keeping toys inside but I think I’d still prefer any car kept outside to be cover free.
If either of those are too fragile to be getting wet ( which I’m sure isn’t the case ) then maybe something more durable is needed ?!
I do recall something about the knock sensors in some Macs being sensitive to water though given their position in the engine bay.

[Phil.]

AB said:

I don't suppose it'll do any harm to have it outside in the elements, it's a car after all, but not being driven much, it might prefer to be a little warmer and not rained on all the time. Perhaps it won't make a difference but we're talking perhaps slightly more delicate than average electronics etc.

I only use covers when I’m away for a while and wash/dry it before putting on the cover. It’s definitely not a day to day solution.

Ceramic coating (as already mentioned) helps protects the paintwork and makes cleaning much easier. Or consider PPF if it’s worth it. Much more protection from the elements but at a cost.

All my toys live outside. No problems other than a constantly washing off bird st at this time of year

[AB]

alscar said:

If either of those are too fragile to be getting wet ( which I m sure isn t the case ) then maybe something more durable is needed ?!

Let's be honest, when is a car like this ever needed but if it's too much hassle keeping it outside then I wouldn't bother.

My garage has a decent race teams worth of petrol go karts in it at the moment, another silly decision I made a couple of years ago and have used maybe 3 times.



Currently trying to get them track worthy again.

[hidetheelephants]

A low height car port need not be that obtrusive; covers suck, even expensive ones.

[paulwirral]

I’ll walk along and take a look if you want , I’ve always done my own design on all of the many houses I’ve lived in over the years and when needed got plans drawn to it ,I can usually come up with something although I suspect you may need to lose a bit of greenery on one side of that area , I imagine your wife won’t be happy with that if she’s anything like mine though !
Just be aware if you join the heswall lambo club you’ll be tarred with the same brush as the other owners in the area and I’ll pretend I don’t know you !

[AB]

I'm actually leaning for towards the 720s - but tbh it'll all come down to perceived reliability. Still early stages of research. But would like to have something by July.

Please do wander past and let me know what you think. May be OK losing the wild garden type thing she planted on the left hand side as you can't really see it from the house but not the bushes on the right hand side.

[blueg33]

Can you rent a garage nearby or find a local car storage place?

When I needed somewhere for the Ferrari I identified the garages in the village that looked like they weren’t used and knocked on the door. I managed to get a decent size dry garage for £150 a month

[AB]

That's always an option, as is putting it in my parents garage if I really wanted to, I've always thought that would make taking it out something I had to plan in advance which doesn't fit with how I would use the car.

Nice weather in the morning? Can't take it to work as I'll have to pick it up and then drop it back later.

[davek_964]

AB said:

I don't suppose it'll do any harm to have it outside in the elements, it's a car after all, but not being driven much, it might prefer to be a little warmer and not rained on all the time. Perhaps it won't make a difference but we're talking perhaps slightly more delicate than average electronics etc.

I'm on my second 650 totalling 6 years of ownership. Both lived outside, it makes sod all difference.
Only slight issue is if water gets into the door switches.

Apart from them getting dirty, it's really not an issue

[OutInTheShed]

davek_964 said:

I'm on my second 650 totalling 6 years of ownership. Both lived outside, it makes sod all difference.
Only slight issue is if water gets into the door switches.

Apart from them getting dirty, it's really not an issue

Perhaps it contributed to you being on your second one?

UV takes its toll on paint and plastics.
Gritty dust damages paint when washing off.

Damp is more complex, a cover can retain damp
When I lived in Somerset and needed to often drive my shed at horrid AM, a cheap cover avoided the need to scrape the windows and improved starting.

OTOH, it might be fair comment that the best covering for a car (or bike) is a regular layer of wax polish.

[davek_964]

OutInTheShed said:

davek_964 said:

I'm on my second 650 totalling 6 years of ownership. Both lived outside, it makes sod all difference.
Only slight issue is if water gets into the door switches.

Apart from them getting dirty, it's really not an issue

Perhaps it contributed to you being on your second one?

Yes.

I'm sure the fact that I store it outside was directly contributable to the total loss crash.

Many people store their cars outside, including cars like this. They don't all disintegrate.

[Cold]

Your situation looks like the ideal scenario for a cantilever type carport.

[OutInTheShed]

davek_964 said:

OutInTheShed said:

davek_964 said:

I'm on my second 650 totalling 6 years of ownership. Both lived outside, it makes sod all difference.
Only slight issue is if water gets into the door switches.

Apart from them getting dirty, it's really not an issue

Perhaps it contributed to you being on your second one?

Yes.

I'm sure the fact that I store it outside was directly contributable to the total loss crash.

Many people store their cars outside, including cars like this. They don't all disintegrate.

Well maybe not in your case, but many cars do deteriorate more quickly outside in the sun and rain than if they have some shelter.
When you look at older cars, you see a lot of faded plastic bits going brittle.
UV light is terrible stuff.

Many years ago, I used to keep a couple of motorbikes on the street, with or without covers. I had a lot less problems with electrics, brakes and other stuff once I rented a share in a garage.

The effects of the elements may become apparent when a vehicle gets older.

Of course 'undercover storage' needs to be dry. A damp garage can be worse than nothing, and a waterproof cover can retain moisture coming up from the ground etc.

[blueg33]

AB said:

That's always an option, as is putting it in my parents garage if I really wanted to, I've always thought that would make taking it out something I had to plan in advance which doesn't fit with how I would use the car.

Nice weather in the morning? Can't take it to work as I'll have to pick it up and then drop it back later.

That’s why I knocked on door in the village. Never more than 5 mins walk away!