MrsPs car will soon be seeing very little use. It'll be spending most of it's time sat on the driveway and I'm thinking it would be sensible to get a cover to keep the leaves and moss and bird poo off it. They seem to range from about 50 quid to hundreds, so where's the sweet spot for something that will stand up to wind and rain without falling apart or flapping around?
How long is it going to be stored and how often or you going to uncover it?
Covers work great the first time you fit them. The inside is all clean, you have washed the car first, you have someone to help you carefully unroll and fit it, you tie it all down nice and tight to avoid flappy bits beating against the car etc
The next time you pick it up off the floor where you threw it, sling it rounghly over the still wet and dirty car and tie off against the wheels as they should hold it in place...
While that might be an exageration, it isn't that far from what happens if you are using the car fairly regularly.
In therms of price I would say £75 - £100ish should get you something reasonable.
I really wouldn't. I know people who have had everything from cheap ones to posh ones getting on for a grand, and they've all ended up buggering the paintwork in one way or another. Usually either scratches as above, no matter how clean, or, more commonly, unrepairable clouding paintwork from trapped moisture. I leave mv seidom used car either in the garage, or outside and washed relatively regularly.
I wouldn't, I'd just keep it clean and run it/take it out weekly. You won't be bothered if you've a faff to get the cover off. My car doesn't get a lot of use - I commute to work on the bike (unless it's icy), so the car (van now) doesn't move, sometimes for a few weeks - the van is mainly for going away in. I keep it clean. Being a diesel I try to not do short runs and take MrsF's petrol.
And washing an un-used car is a few minute job. Certainly needs driving to keep discs from corroding.
They're generally crap, even when shiny and new. You don't need *much* movement to start damaging the paintwork. They also keep the moisture in, so no drying breeze, or howling gale getting under the car and into all the nooks and crannies to dry them out. (Cheaper ones are worse for this, as they aren't even breathable.)
You can get a basic car tent starting at about 300-350 quid (well, that's how much they cost here). Roll up the sides once or twice a month for the day to let the air circulate. See a few of them around, being used to cover summer cars, caravans and boats.
Not much room to move around in the smallest ones (which i guess is what you'll want) but you can drive in and drive out without too much issue.
If its outside no point. As others have said it will only aid to scratch the car.
Its also not going to stop moisture getting on the car, if anything it will trap it around the car.
As others have said run it ie drive it every so often and keep it clean. If its going to be used very infrequently sell it ! Or can you even SORN it?
I regularly cover my car, but in a totally different way.
Do not use an outdoor cover. They are famously absolutely terrible, will destroy the paint, they stop the car breathing, flap about in the wind, an elastic strap for instance can be incredibly abrasive and will rub right through to the metal in no time.
Clean the car, keep the paintwork well waxed/coated and try to avoid parking under a tree.
This - good.
This - bad, very bad
Why not sell it rather than sitting on a depreciating asset that isnt getting used?
Why not sell it rather than sitting on a depreciating asset that isnt getting used?
It's getting on for 20 years old so it's not exactly depreciating! Also she's had it since new and likes it, so will keep it for the odd trip until she's faced with a big bill when decisions will need to be made.
Thanks for the concensus - no room for tents or anything like that on the drive and the garage is a) tiny so you couldn't open the doors in it and b) full of bikes and stuff.
absolutely terrible, will destroy the paint, they stop the car breathing, flap about in the wind, an elastic stra
......
This - good.
If I had one of those [inside] I'd want to see it rather than cover it up!
We've got a Carcoon for our old Merc SL. It is very good and doesn't take up much more space than the car's footprint (they sell various sizes). It has to be plugged in and the fan inflates the tent which keeps the car dry and air circulating. It also has a trickle charger built in so the battery doesn't go flat.
Now't wrong with an old car - I sold my 22 year old Nissan last year as I was getting a van/car - loved the car but we use the van for carrying tents/bikes and sleeping in it. Don't bother with a cover then, just keep it clean and a weekly drive. You may want a trickly charger to maintain battery health.
I wouldnt, I had one on a project car for a while outside, it scratched the paint, plus the they seem to end up "sweaty" where the car still gets wet, but cant breathe properly to dry again.
Unless you go for a proper carcoon etc, but thats only worth it for expensive cars.
Indoor soft ones on nice cars that are cleaned before being put away work well as dust sheets.