Off abroad for 9 months - store or sell the cars?

[monkeyra]

Myself and the other half are off abroad for 9 to 12 months to work. This leaves us with the dilemma of what to do with our cars. I've got an ST220 and the missus has a Megane cabriolet. We're in two minds on whether to keep or sell the cars. We both use them reguarly, so selling now would be a PITA and we'd have to end up hiring to an extent. If we keep them to the end and then sell them, we'll probably both take a large hit on them. Finding a garage is equally tricky at a reasonable cost (live in West London).
Any other options I haven't thought of?

[hornetrider]

I say sell them, they're not 'special' cars or irreplacable.

[spikeyhead]

Lend them to me, I'll look after them

Realistically, you'll lose a grand on each selling now and buyign back in nine months.

It will cost you a grand each to store for nine months. had you been going for more than a year, or less than six months then the decision would be easy. Unfortunately, the only option here is to change the length of your trip.

[Herman Toothrot]

Sell them.

[The Moose]

To be honest, if you head a bit out of town, you should be able to get a garage for < £50 a month. Is it really a big deal if they are even a couple of hours away from town?

Cheers

The Moose

[kentmotorcompany]

Actually lending them to someone who can make use of them might be a good idea.

Its free to you, and the grateful people who gets to use them I'm sure would be only too happy to fully comp insure them, and pay for an MOT and a service.

You would have to agree in advance what would happen should either car develop a problem, or break down?

[CinqAbarth]

spikeyhead said:

Lend them to me, I'll look after them

Realistically, you'll lose a grand on each selling now and buyign back in nine months.

It will cost you a grand each to store for nine months. had you been going for more than a year, or less than six months then the decision would be easy. Unfortunately, the only option here is to change the length of your trip.

A grand each to store?

Nowhere near - my garages are 30 quid each / month.

[monkeyra]

£30/month? For that price I'll keep both, will cheaper in the long term than having to sell and buy new cars when we return. Where in the UK are your garages?

[CinqAbarth]

monkeyra said:

£30/month? For that price I'll keep both, will cheaper in the long term than having to sell and buy new cars when we return. Where in the UK are your garages?

About 10 miles from Cardiff city centre.

You may have to go out into the sticks to find something as cheap in the South East, though.

But it's do-able, I reckon.

[ewenm]

I'd sell them, they're not rare so if you really want them when you get back you can find some, or you might find you want something different after 9 months away.

[The Moose]

The real issue you're going to have is that cars don't like to be sitting still for long periods of time. Over inflate the tyres, park on wood etc etc etc!!!

I think £30 a month each is achievable - maybe £50 for 2??

Good luck both with the cars and the job.

Cheers

The Moose

[anonymous-user]

I would sell them, you may loose a bit of money on them but at the end of the day in 12 months you will be able to buy replacements for similar money.