Who has a garage?

Post by **whenisayjump** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:12 am

Hey everyone. Just a quick question really... how many of you guys have garages for your cars... and how many go for the drive/road maybe with a car cover?

I'm just interested as I don't have a garage, but a mog would be my second car.... I'm just wondering how viable that would be!

James

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:14 am

Trav is in the garage. Saloon on the drive with a car cover for extreme weather but otherwise just parked up.....

Post by **whenisayjump** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:21 am

Do you not find they rot away?

Also, as a slightly asside, does anyone know the dimensions of the minor?

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:32 am

whenisayjump wrote:Do you not find they rot away?

I would worry about the wood on a Trav but my saloon is very solid and has not got any major rot. I keep the underside waxoiled regularly and check for any damage which I fix as it happens and it is fine. Incidently this car has lived outside most of it's life. I heard that the worst thing you can do is to put a wet car in a garage as they don't dry out quickly enough because of lack of airflow around them.....

Post by **PSL184** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 10:41 am

whenisayjump wrote:Also, as a slightly asside, does anyone know the dimensions of the minor?

Length 12' 4"
Width 5' 1"
Height 5' 0"

Post by **wiglaf** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:20 pm

Sleipnir lived on the drive for a few years, under the previous ownership and mine, and had to be welded pretty much every year.

Since I moved house a few months ago, she has been garaged - and no welding for the latest MOT.

It's not scientific proof, but it's a bit of piece of mind for me now I've got her under cover.

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:26 pm

Monty lives out on the roadway. The OH wont even let me use the drive! Her precious motorcycle lives there

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:51 pm

Length 12' 4"

?

Post by **pfgiz** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:54 pm

8009STEVE wrote:
Length 12' 4"
?

On the single axle version anyway.....

Post by **pfgiz** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 12:59 pm

Annie's always lived outside until recently. The main issue I've had is the magnetism she has with other cars, they seem to like to bump into her and so the rear wing and front grill area have suffered, but no major underside welding. This may have something to do with the amount of underseal, waxoil and red-oxide I used when I rebuilt her.

I sleep easier now she's undercover.... Good advice about the drying process, it never crossed my mind about air flow.

Post by **davidpidge** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:02 pm

I keep mine in a garage. Mainly because I want to keep it dry. The seals will last longer and it's good for re-sale. Makes it look like you look after your car. Which of course I do. I used to have a fancy 'breathable' cover that cost almost as much as the car but condensation still forms. Nothing beats a nice dry garage.
Apparently sleeping in the garage so the car doesn't get lonely is 'going too far'.

Post by **andrew.searston** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 1:25 pm

mine is always parked at the side of the road snow, rain and shine. we even go out in it when its snowing once or twice.
as long as you waxoyle it you shouldnt have a problem. and clean it of course...

Post by **dalebrignall** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:40 pm

myrtle is in the workshop,with a siezed up jag for compony

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 6:54 pm

Good car cover is essential - certainly in winter. Otherwise it will rot away in no time. I found the one I have for my TR7 gets NO condensation - the car is dry under the cover even in the wettest weather. Obviously - damp air still circulates around the car, so it's not as good as a nice dry garage-but it is next best thing.

Post by **Mogwai** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 8:22 pm

Mine lives outside & is used all year round as is my only car
You do have to keep on top of things like waterleaks & keeping the underside clean & sealed with wax etc to keep corrosion at bay.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:19 pm

If the car lives outside permanently then it's really worthwhile to make sure all the window and door seals are good. e.g. if the rear windscreen leaks badly, don't be surprised if it needs welding every year!
Many years ago I bought a 61 4 door with a massive sandwich of plates on the rear floor getting bigger every time it was repaired. The previous owner probably spent a fortune on repairs before giving up. If they's spent £25 on a rear window seal it would have been far cheaper.

As I've got too many projects, all my repairs are not done outside. A driveway is enough to do nearly everything on a Minor, but depending where you live, you're neighbours may not be happy about it.
I only work on cars 'round the back' and my immediate neighbours are very friendly about it. I keep the front of the house neat and tidy, despite the car chaos at the rear.
I've known people have scrap cars on their front drive and get into feuds with neighbours about it!
Also working on a car in the street is not ideal for saftey and for legality so if you don't have a drive, find a friend who does ;-)

Post by **heathy12** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:18 pm

Hey hey.....

Another excuse to smile for me!

Always have kept my Minors garaged when I can. My trav spent 2 years being kept on the road with no probs, just look after the woodwork yearly treatment, my two door saloon when I first got it at 17 sat outside and was my daily drive for 3 year'ish and the only probs I had was cold starting.

Wouldnt have a problem keeping a stock minor outside, a couple of my minors are a little different though so wouldnt risk it with them best to look after them though.

If its only the lack of garaging thats putting you off I'd say go for it, their a joy to own, a hoot to drive and cheap as chips!

Post by **Bretta** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:02 am

Sadly, I don't own a garage so my car spends its time out in all weathers. I think I'll get a decent cover for it next winter.

Post by **Stig** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 8:21 am

My Traveller has lived on the drive for about 15 years (the Sprite lives in the garage). It's needed welding underneath probably every other year but I do drive it all year round, rain, snow, salt etc. as it's my main car. Ray made a good point about window & door seals, even more important if it's not used regularly to dry the interior out again.

I do need to rub down and re-varnish the wood ever summer as well. I thought about putting up a car port but they're a bit ugly and I couldn't be bothered taking a car cover on and off every day, probably a good idea if yours is only for weekend use though.

Post by **Peetee** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:10 am

I had a car port that used the dividing fence line as a 'wall'. Weather still got in at the worse time of year so that, and the impetus provided by savng £60 on my insurance, was enough to persuade me to knock up a couple of doors for the front. There is a 1" gap at the base of these and a 6" gap above the fence panels so there is plenty of airflow.