Taking Delivery, but Storing Before Summer
 

My Monogram is set to arrive soon, but I will not have a garage to store it in until late spring. This is going to be my spring/summer vehicle and baby and I will be driving my Celica as a daily driver on all other occasions.

When I take delivery, I am contemplating renting a storage locker for the next couple months to keep it pristine until I put it on the road for the summer and have my proper garage storage ready. I don't want to leave my new car parked outdoors and keep my investment safe.

What do you think of this idea? Any precautions to take? Suggested companies?

I have been doing comparisons of companies options online. Some have security and some have indoor car storage and some are just giant crate lockers that can fit a car. I of course will be getting storage insurance for this short duration.

Let me know your thoughts and ideas.

:burnrubber:

A vehicle wouldn't say is an investment per say . A house is lol.... Anys check out kijiji, local self storage places, or if you have Facebook, make a post and ask fellow friends if anyone has a spot you can store or recommend locally. I don't have any personal recommendations as drive my cars year round. Also if do end up storing it outdoors, put a car cover on it

For a 25k car? Sorry but I had to laugh at this. Overall sounds like a lousy idea, I think you're limiting yourself of enjoying the car... Sounds like you're looking to add more stress than anything. Look into ways to protect the paint, and keep it indoors during the winter.

Just drive da bitch.

Just drive it. It's just going to keep depreciating.

I did this when I was 25, with my first S2000 car was like gold to me back then. Put the junker in public storage for two months, no issues. But over valued the car, young dumb did not enjoy it. Even used to jack it up and clean underbody of it after dusty drives.

in retrospect total waste of time and money, should have drove the piss out of it. End of story, good day.

Couldn't agree with this anymore given our specific car. If we were talking about some sort of exotic, I'd think differently though.

The Monogram is over 30,000 in North America
Nothing wrong with babying this car!

:thumbsup:

Yeah there is some debate to this ... I mean the S2000 has nearly bottomed out depreciation wise (low mileage ones) and in some cases is climbing in value.

I was kind of going the same route when I originally bought my FR-S ... wanted to keep it low miles and whatnot and keep it for a long time. What I've learned is ... if you want a garage queen ... go for something that is already appreciating and/or no longer falling. (Integra Type R, NSX, S2000, Rx-7?)

There might be a time where the value of this car goes up as well ... and being a special edition helps to some extent (though I don't think Monogram is as significant as Club Racer for S2000) ...but you're going to have to be very patient... when there are cars already increasing in value today.

Save the garage queen syndrome for something special.. Like a Ferrari, Lamborghini or some other exotic..
This car is made to be driven.. It's designed to make you smile and it can handle everyday life.. That's the beauty of it.. Don't put it on a pedestal and let it go to waste.. Drive it and enjoy it.. Life is short..

At first i was debating parking mine for winter, especially since i have a good awd vehicle. The debate went back and forth in my head while searching for a set of good snow tires cheap (found a new set on cl eventually.)

Then i said, fuck it, this car likely will be the equivalent of a miata and be a dime a dozen by the time the car actually rusts out as long as its washed well (undercarriage wash religiously in salted environments).

Don't kid yourself, its a mass produced econobox, take care of it, but also enjoy the shit out of it and if you're that attached to the platform just buy another in better shape when they depreciate to nothing. Wether you keep it in a bubble or not it will depreciate.

Most cars are not an investment, this car is nothing special, its a mass produced hunk of metal, you can get another. On its current path it will not see anything but significant depreciation, which is awesome. Can't wait till a parts car can be grabbed for little or nothing.

I garage mine for 95% of the winter - really only drive it on the few nice days we have between December and March. I really don't see anything wrong with wanting to store the car during bad weather, regardless of its price. Everybody has a different mentality when it comes to how they feel a car should be driven.

To the OP - I have never personally stored a car at a public storage facility, but do know people who have. As far as I know, they have never had any problems. It probably isn't cheap to rent a space that fits a car...

Drive it now, you won't regret it, it's only for a little while.

If you already had a garage and an winter beater I would say, great choice in parking it for winter, why do want to risk higher insurance if you mess up, deal with body shop reapairs (people forget someone else can hit you, snow tires won't save you from THAT), deep scratches from wiping snow and ice off, etc. But since you would have to pay for the luxury of storing this car, I would say that means you're moving soon, you're better off to keep your money for the move and things you might want at your new place and take the car to a professional detailer when the thaw comes.

I'm always so surprised at the people here who literally just want to throw $25k away by not treating the car like it's the best they can get (wonder what their careers look like...). What's great about "entry level" is that you can learn the practices you would want to have BEFORE moving on to the one of your dreams (fuck up now, so you don't fuck up later). If you are new to using an orbital polisher, installing aftermarket body parts, painting the underside of the lip after scrapping, swapping tires on a regular basis, monitoring a battery tender, buying a proper indoor storage cover, learning when to drive a seasonal car in your area, etc. etc.

For the record...yes I store my car...but if forced to...I would drive it in winter.

What I think is that a car is never an investment (except for the "antique/collectors market"). Drive it. Enjoy it. See what to do with it later in life.

The FRS is not as limited as any of those cars, S2000 sold 105k units in 8 years. FRS/BRZ already sold 100k in 2 years. Combine other external factors like it being half subaru, it's just not going to be one of those cars that, people have to have 10 years from now.

No, there's absolutely nothing wrong with babying a car if that's what you choose, but in the grand scheme of things 30 grand isn't a really expensive car. That's the average cost of a light-duty vehicle in the USA.

Whoa, whoa.. Throw away 25k because they don't want to store the car for the winter? Well, shit. In that case, better not drive it ever either, because you could end up in an accident and then you just threw away money. And better not store it either. If it depreciates 3k in the first year and you store it for six months you just threw away 1.5k!

Enjoy your cars people. Do regular maintenance and routine things to keep them running properly. Some people get a bit more anal about what they do, but in the end it's a mass produced vehicle and not an investment.

Store your car if you want, but don't think of your car as an investment, because it's not.

The OP has a daily driver, so nothing wrong if he stores the FRS. Agreed to those that mentioned storing limited model cars. I've heard people store their Civic Si, which makes no sense to me, since it's not worth anything.

So why buy A car u wont drive. U want to invest, put those 25 k into a savings bond. After a year of babying my car with only 3k miles. I got bored. I just did. Lost 7k right there. Trade in was 19k. I got an sti now. 1000 miles in one month. Unless u are jay leno that u buy 3 monograms drive one and store 2, then just listen to other peoples mistakes.

Monograms, 10 series, and all those limited edition gimmicks are to sell cars. This is not an LFA where quantities were limited. Enjoy your car. Put the miles it deserves before warranty expires. Otherwise youll potentially have a pretty lemon in storage.

Depends on the price to keep it stored. If its reasonable, I would do that. Make sure you protect those headlights with something like opti-lens.

A car garaged vs not garaged makes a HUGE difference. Whether its a $30K car or not, he wants it pristine for as long as possible.

The OP is asking about storing it for a few months until he gets a proper garage. That is perfectly reasonable if the price is right. You guys are acting like he wants to never drive it and keep it in the garage forever. He only wants to store it for a few months until he gets a proper garage.

It's still a Scion FRS

.. that is over $30,000. I don't get what is so hilarious.

Unless you are talking about the badge of the car... then that is hilarious that you would value the car based on the badge. I mean it is a Toyota. Change the badge and instant $10K value increase.

While I commend your quest to keep the car as fresh as possible, even driving it in the summer things will happen (scratch, door-ding, curb-rash, bug-residue, paint swirls, etc). It's not a question of if, it's when.

Just drive the car.

If you already have a daily driver, sure, why not! :cheers: Spring is right around the corner and soon the air will be full of pollen, pooping birds and rain showers. Keep the car protected against the elements. You'll probably be glad you did.

I actually bought my FR-S last summer with the intention of using it as a daily driver. Through a combination of adding up the miles (I have a long commute), nearly being side swiped TWICE in one day, less than a week after I bought it (in both cases by people talking on their cell phones), and sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for days on end, less than a month after I took delivery, I went and picked up a low mileage, 3 year old Honda Fit, coming off lease. It's one of the better decisions I've made.

The FR-S has been in the garage since mid November and I've only taken it out twice since then. And I miss it. But this winter has been particularly brutal. Much colder than usual, sometimes below 0*C, day and night for weeks on end, lots and lots of snow, enough salt on the roads to start an inland ocean. And now that winter is finally waning, the the streets are so full of ruts and loose gravel and enormous pot holes, it's frightening. A few weeks ago, coming to work in the wee hours of the morning, I hit a massive pot hole while changing lines on a major highway. Ridiculous. It was dark and I never even saw it. I didn't lose pressure but I probably dented the rim and I'll most likely need an alignment.

It doesn't matter if you have an FR-S or an F430 Spyder. If you have something and want to protect it and keep it pristine until you're ready to drive it, than do it.

Thanks, thanks and thanks!

There was a comment earlier in the post something along the lines of

'it's just a 25,000 car, just drive it'

I think this is just ludicrous as to just not take care of a new car and thrash on it and not worry about it seems like a poor financial decision. We will see who's car looks better in approx. 1 year's time! I'm in my early 30s now and I want to have a pristine, classy sports car. Maybe it is just some of the younger folks who don't quite understand the value of money yet. (I agree though, a car isn't really an investment.)

To each their own...

:clap:

Seriously?!?!?

It is a GT86

True sports car!

:burnrubber:

It is the GT86! This is the poor man's sports car, but still amazing and a sports car none the less!

GT86, FR-S, BRZ...All the same luxurious machine.

:burnrubber:

Hey you want to know an even better idea to keep it looking pristine? Why not lock it in a vault and NEVER drive it!! How can you lose???

I can't believe you are calling the GT86 an 'econobox'

:thumbdown:

It's a cheap (yet a bit overpriced) fun car, which is fantastic. It isn't a cayman or 911 or even a lotus. You aren't the only person in their 30s here. Relative to its segment it's no less of an econobox than a miata.

You'll enjoy it more when you realize wether you keep it in a bubble or not it will depreciate. Your time capsule example will absolutely be worth more down the road, but the number isn't going to be thousands unless this car becomes a legit collectible. Between now and then there will be depreciation. Just like stocks, buy on the dip.

It's a very good car if it fits your needs, but it is just a car, thousands just like it roll off the assembly line every year.

I'll enjoy the piss out of mine and years down the road if I need another I'll find a babied one cheap from someone swallowing a pill of reality and mass produced cars.

Please take the ***** off the pedestal.

If there is anything this car isn't its luxurious.

It's a stripped down non sound deadened tin can with about the same level of luxury amenities as a vehicle from the mid 90s.

Seriously though. Just wait till you hear the road noise, rain pinging off the trunk and spend some time actually touching the interior.

Lap of luxury sir, lap of luxury.

I think some people are really missing the (OP's) point.

I'm in my 40s. I'm not rich but I do pretty well. And I've owned lots of cars. Some of them have cost a LOT more than the FR-S. But it's not my daily driver and I store mine away for the winter as well. (Of course, keep in mind I do live in the thick of the snow (read: salt) belt). Should we not care about the FR-S just because it cost $30K and not $60K? Or $90K? What a strange way to think.

I no longer drive expensive cars because I live in a rural area and my commute is over 100 miles every day. No matter what I drive, I'm going to have over 100,000 miles on it in four years. Most cars, and certainly not daily drivers, offer much return on investment and any car will depreciate very quickly with those kind of miles. I may miss my Audi or BMW but in my case, it's just throwing money away. With my used Fit, I don't fret over where I park it; that some careless individual will ding my door. Or that I hit a huge pothole. Or that my car is driving through a salt bath and I won't have time to wash it for another two weeks. Or that a passing dog is using my wheel as a fire hydrant. Or that the truck in front of me is spewing loose gravel all over my hood.

Well, actually, I DO care about those things. Even with the Fit. But it doesn't REALLY bother me. The FR-S on the other hand is special. I really LIKE the car. And not because of how much it costs. Or how much it doesn't. In size, weight, power, balance and performance, it's very much like a car I once lusted after in high school: The Porsche 944S2.

The OP is taking delivery but won't be driving his car for a few months. And he was considering the merits of putting it storage vs leaving it parked, perhaps on the street, somewhere, during that time. I think his premise was either misunderstood or people have just grown terribly cynical.

Much more of a luxurious sports car than my soon to be DD Celica! But who are we kidding...one mans box is another mans luxury!

Road noise is not a dealbreaker and is possibly the same as the Celi

Going to check out West Coast Storage, which has secured indoor storage. Basically like a garage. What are your thoughts on this place?

http://westcoastsuperstorage.com/

Chad, for what it's worth, my FR-S has never been touched by a snow flake. Nor is it my intention to ever let that happen. Some people don't understand yet, but they will. It's entirely up to you, if you think that she's worth it, do what you have to.

Once upon a time, I owned five Dodge Chargers (2-68, 2-69 & 1-70), along with a 70 Road Runner. All in decent shape and I ran them, literally, into the ground, well, one was stolen. Today, those cars are worth a lot more than I paid for them. I only wish that I had the 68 Coronet R/T that I was weaned on, not that I would contemplate selling it.

My FR-S has given me great pleasure on the street and at BIR on the road coarse (for now an annual event) and likely to be the last performance car that I purchase, we'll see. I'm on your side, store her and keep her for as long as you wish. Depending upon your intentions, she is an investment (not driven) or an enjoyment (driven appropriately). My thoughts of the FR-S, simple :D period.

I'd be worried about mice leisurely chewing on my spark plug wires without one of these...

http://carcapsule.com/images/categories/130.png

http://www.carcapsule.com/

Slightly off topic, but is the Monogram FR-S really $30k+? If so, why would anyone buy it over the (less expensive) BRZ Limited? I'm not putting down the FR-S, as it is - after all - almost the exact same car as the BRZ, but that is exactly my point.

Location: canadia

after taxes and such in the US.

but generally speaking, you're looking at about $2000 extra for the monogram (***waits for the poster that says I can get it for such and such price***)

whether you think the extra cost is worth it is for another thread.

The cynicism in this thread... my god.

What's important to one person obviously won't be important to someone else.

"Crash it bro, it's such a cheap car. You wanna take care of something that you bought? WTF is your problem? I'm such an affluent person that I buy a new one every week bro... that's why i'm posting on this forum right now."

Some need to redefine what "econobox" means. For the large population of the general public, an FR-S or a Miata ... isn't categorized as such.

Taking care of your possessions has it's limits I understand. You don't want to fall into 'what you own ends up owning you' ... but you can practice a degree of care without falling victim.