Winter storage
 

I will not be able to get storage for the winter it seems... every storage place in my area is fully booked up or is charging well over $300 a month for a unit. I'm just wondering if anyone here has stored their car under a cover, outside for the winter and what I should expect. I'm a little apprehensive as this will be the first winter having the car out in the elements.

sta bil

Shouldn't be a problem but if you get a car cover, don't get the cheap ones from Canadian Tire or whatever, I highly recommend getting the one from Subaru. The cheap ones are known to let moisture get between it and the car and they never fit quite right. Ones that are too big or too small will give animals space to live in your car and the moisture issue can cause the sheet metal to corrode. The one from Subaru is designed to fit our cars properly and will keep moisture out.

Regardless, it is still recommended to take the car out at least once a month and drive it around until it is fully warmed up. My friends who park their cars in the winter take their cars out on any particularly nice day where there isn't any snow on the roads to the drive-thru car wash and then park it again.

Yeah I was going to buy the one from subaru. I'm just wondering if there's any spot on the car I should watch for moisture buildup.

thats why he said to drive it once a month

they all will no matter what

google = condensation and humidity

Be sure to store it with a full tank of gas.

I wouldn't cover it at all. When the wind gets going it could scratch the car.

last time i kept my car over the winter, there was bunch of condensation in the muffler.

Damn, that's expensive storage
Most condo's have parking spaces available for rent around $100/month...maybe check the message board in their lobbies

Can you fit one of those portable garages? I haven't had any experience with one, but they seem like a good option if they can withstand the wind. And would still be cheaper than paying $300/month 4 times/year.

I phoned Subaru to get a cover for my car. The parts guy told me it's cheap plastic material. I've been searching hard and to find one with a good soft material in my area I'm looking g at 200-500. if anyone finds anything else plz let me know.

Maybe have a look at a company called Covercraft.
They do custom and semi custom fit covers in both indoor and/or outdoor. While I do not have any actual long term experience with them I had my hands on a couple and they seemed nice. Decent warranties too.
Other things some people may be interested in looking into alongside a cover are a lock and cable and what they call gust guards.

Two month's storage @ $300/per gets you a NEW set of steel wheels and good snow tires. One month @ $300 get's you a decent used set o' wheels and snows. Get'em, drive, and have fun all winter long. This car is really pretty good in the snow w/ good tires.

Why buy a car to store it?

Yeah, OK.. I really do get it. I have a car I store, too, but it's an 80's Benz and they salt our roads CONSTANTLY during the winter. I can't predict the future, but I'm not banking on my FR-S being worth a ton of dough in 30 years so I'm enoying it year-round now. Then again, I won't be worth much in 30 years either...

The Subaru cover is a Covercraft. Covercraft has many other models to choose from. It is made of polyester. The underside is like a nylon jacket in texture and the outside is painted silver. I have had it for 3 years now and it is still in like new condition. My car is stored in a garage (not heated) and the cover keeps dust out. No issues with condensation.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10866

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et6mAweIYQk"]Reflec'Tect Fabric Car Covers from Covercraft Industries - YouTube[/ame]

yay winter storage thread

i was looking for 1 on this topic