Couple of questions before plunge
Discussion
Seen 2/3 examples so far, am taken in by one I viewed over the weekend....Thanks David.
My main problem would be garaging, I only have a standard newbuild single garage...not very wide at all...impossible to fit...
What would be the main problem (other than theft) of leaving it outside? I hear all these stories of dehumidified garages and leaky floor pans etc.
My main problem would be garaging, I only have a standard newbuild single garage...not very wide at all...impossible to fit...
What would be the main problem (other than theft) of leaving it outside? I hear all these stories of dehumidified garages and leaky floor pans etc.
Hi
You may be ok getting it into the garage. I have a fairly tight garage, and have no probs parking in. It is a bit of a squeeze getting out of the car, but after a while you get used to it. I am 6'2, so find that winding the window down always helps. Ii also have some carpet on the wall near the drivers door, so it cushions the door if opened to much. However, it doesn't need to be open that much in any case.
When I get home from work, i will measure the dimensions of my garage to give you some idea of how much room i manage with
A
You may be ok getting it into the garage. I have a fairly tight garage, and have no probs parking in. It is a bit of a squeeze getting out of the car, but after a while you get used to it. I am 6'2, so find that winding the window down always helps. Ii also have some carpet on the wall near the drivers door, so it cushions the door if opened to much. However, it doesn't need to be open that much in any case.
When I get home from work, i will measure the dimensions of my garage to give you some idea of how much room i manage with
A
Me too! I have a very narrow garage. There is about 10-15cm clearance on each side of the wing mirror.
Coupled with a very narrow lane outside I usually have to do a 8 point turn before I can reverse it into my garage with the help of my wife.
Then I have to wind down the window on the drivers side to squeeze out. I too have carpet on the walls to protect the doors.
I would really doubt your garage is narrower than mine.
It really is difficult getting back in though. I usually have to go in backwards with my bum facing the windscreen and then rotate halfway.
Coupled with a very narrow lane outside I usually have to do a 8 point turn before I can reverse it into my garage with the help of my wife.
Then I have to wind down the window on the drivers side to squeeze out. I too have carpet on the walls to protect the doors.
I would really doubt your garage is narrower than mine.
It really is difficult getting back in though. I usually have to go in backwards with my bum facing the windscreen and then rotate halfway.
I had the same problem when i purchased mine a few years ago. Had to get 30 metres down a narrow driveway with about 6 inch clearance either side to a garage door the same size. Once i had got the car into the garage a i left it about 6 inches from the left hand side wall so i had plenty of room to get out of the right hand side.
This was a real pain and worry for the few times i did it but after a while it became 2nd nature and could get in and out no problem.
Another good tip if the garage is a bit short lengthways, or you need to get close to the wall as possible without damaging your clam:- Position the car where you want to park it. Hang a tennis ball on a piece of string or something similar from the garge ceiling so it just touches the windscreen. When you drive in you know that when you just touch the tennis ball you are in that exact positon without hitting the wall.
This was a real pain and worry for the few times i did it but after a while it became 2nd nature and could get in and out no problem.
Another good tip if the garage is a bit short lengthways, or you need to get close to the wall as possible without damaging your clam:- Position the car where you want to park it. Hang a tennis ball on a piece of string or something similar from the garge ceiling so it just touches the windscreen. When you drive in you know that when you just touch the tennis ball you are in that exact positon without hitting the wall.
I think the main issues with regard to leaving the car outside will be:
a) Not being able to keep a trickle charger connected which will cause battery problems if the car isn`t used regularly - and the battery is not easy to access or change.
b) Rain can cause problems with the plug leads/ high voltage insulation.
c) I`m sure that not everyones door/window seals are 100% so water may get into the car.
d) Your insurance premium......
a) Not being able to keep a trickle charger connected which will cause battery problems if the car isn`t used regularly - and the battery is not easy to access or change.
b) Rain can cause problems with the plug leads/ high voltage insulation.
c) I`m sure that not everyones door/window seals are 100% so water may get into the car.
d) Your insurance premium......
Thanks for the advice - not sure if you can use an Optimate type device for the battery? Insurance doesn't seem to be a problem - less than £300 on the driveway.
Not sure about the sledgehammer advice above - not enough room to swing it:
Not sure about the sledgehammer advice above - not enough room to swing it:
Edited by slimtater on Monday 22 February 20:55
The devil said:
Got to say, mine lives outside and the only problem I have is if I park iton my sloping drive with the front lower than the back as water gets in the rear of the cabin on the floor somehow.
Apart from that, no worries
Apart from that, no worries
Probably gets in under the rear bulkhead:- runs across the rear clam down the engine side of the bulkhead then under the floor,I have heard a few owners on here mention this.
BobE said:
I think the main issues with regard to leaving the car outside will be:
a) Not being able to keep a trickle charger connected which will cause battery problems if the car isn`t used regularly - and the battery is not easy to access or change.
b) Rain can cause problems with the plug leads/ high voltage insulation.
c) I`m sure that not everyones door/window seals are 100% so water may get into the car.
d) Your insurance premium......
d - my insurance premimium was £50 more because I parked it in a garage! Crazy!a) Not being able to keep a trickle charger connected which will cause battery problems if the car isn`t used regularly - and the battery is not easy to access or change.
b) Rain can cause problems with the plug leads/ high voltage insulation.
c) I`m sure that not everyones door/window seals are 100% so water may get into the car.
d) Your insurance premium......
hoyin said:
BobE said:
I think the main issues with regard to leaving the car outside will be:
a) Not being able to keep a trickle charger connected which will cause battery problems if the car isn`t used regularly - and the battery is not easy to access or change.
b) Rain can cause problems with the plug leads/ high voltage insulation.
c) I`m sure that not everyones door/window seals are 100% so water may get into the car.
d) Your insurance premium......
d - my insurance premimium was £50 more because I parked it in a garage! Crazy!a) Not being able to keep a trickle charger connected which will cause battery problems if the car isn`t used regularly - and the battery is not easy to access or change.
b) Rain can cause problems with the plug leads/ high voltage insulation.
c) I`m sure that not everyones door/window seals are 100% so water may get into the car.
d) Your insurance premium......
jdearden said:
i keep mine outside ans no real problems a lil bit of water comed in through the floor but will be resealing this next weekend which should get rid of this problem. I was thinking of getting a cover for her. what you guys recon good or bad investment.
Mines been outside for the three years I have owned it and I have had no problems whatsoever although the car has always been covered with a custom cover from classic additions, this new cover I bought last year called the ultimate is fantastic its like a wetsuit type material which makes it fit the car like a glove and its breathable, definatly worth the investment will try and post up some pics later.Gassing Station | Noble | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff