How best to store my S1 for two years?

[jondude]

I am returning to NZ for up to two years and have decided not to sell the car. Just cannot do it!

So, it will be garaged for up to 2 years all being well....


Remove battery? This seems better to me that leaving an Optimate connected - just buy a new one. Seems a waste to have the alarm and electrics all wired up.

Change coolant.

Good clean of car, drape in cotton sheets to keep dust off.

Erm, that's it really, wasn't going to do anymore!

I am making sure my tyres are worn out before I go, as I expect them to be shot with blisters on my return.

It's the brakes which worry me. I'd like to stop them seizing. My brother has offered to push the car a few yards up and down each month ( no way will I let him drive it, he's a nutter ) which is about as good as it can get. Will leave handbrake off.

All advice appreciated!

[NathanE]

The tyres will be shot after 2 years anyway so I wouldn't worry about flat spotting.

There is a guide somewhere that tells you what to do - I think it involved spraying WD40 almost everywhere (including the brakes!)

Edited by NathanE on Monday 20th August 17:27

[fatwomble]

alternately, lend it to me for 2 years, I can keep it running nicely, sell mine and put the money in the bank towards an Exige which I will buy when you return

[Fittster]

Selling your current car and buying another in 2 years time makes far more sense. For a start you'll miss 2 years worth of depreciation, and the storage costs.

[LotusEater666]

Fittster said:

Selling your current car and buying another in 2 years time makes far more sense. For a start you'll miss 2 years worth of depreciation, and the storage costs.

And earn interest on value of the car.

[jondude]

Thanks for above.

Agree there is no financial sense to the decision at all....just love the car too much, has been 100% reliable etc, and still only 29k ( 1998 ).

Fatwomble...I'll think about it

[S Works]

You're mad. Leaving it to sit and rot for 2 years will only pay you back with problems IMO. Sell it, move on, and then get another if and when you come home. Failing that talk to Esprit about taking it with you. You'll be able to sell it at a profit over there by the sounds of it.

[cej]

Either take it with you or sell it. It'll do more damage than good to store it for that long.

[Esprit]

S Works said:

You're mad. Leaving it to sit and rot for 2 years will only pay you back with problems IMO. Sell it, move on, and then get another if and when you come home. Failing that talk to Esprit about taking it with you. You'll be able to sell it at a profit over there by the sounds of it.

Tim is correct... even a scrappy S1 will make 32k over here, which is about 10.5k UKP... with the dollar crashing, this is likely to increase too.... If you're bringing it back, it'll HAVE to be back here and on the road by Jan 1st '08 though because new laws are coming in on emissions, which will kill Elise importation. I've got my dream S1 Exige setting sail for NZ Tomorrow to get around this very law that threatened to crush my dream.

My '98 S1 just sold for about 42k here, which works out to be just under 15k UKP, although mine was an even lower mileage minter with a whole bunch of popular mods.... but NZ roads are the best in the world to enjoy with an Elise.

You're 100% sure you'll be returning to blighty after 2 years?

[jondude]

Thanks all.

Interesting about Elises in NZ!

Well I do have to come back for 2 months next summer all being well, so I've hit on a compromise...

I'm going to let my brother use the car - he in turn has agreed to service it and pay the tax, and as he is the ultimate fair weather driver he reckons on a simple 50 mile trip each month until April next year, then he will go a bit mad until I am back....so doubts he will add more than 2,000 miles, if that.

Agree this is better tham leaving it unused and drying up.

Then yes, if I feel next summer that I won't be coming back, it will have to go