Thoughts on Car Covers

[nate1121]

I'm still just window shopping at this point but in the next few months I plan on getting into a gen3. Major issue I face is that the townhouse I'm currently in (and will be until at least January) does not have a garage... I opted for a nice deck/patio model at the time because I only had 2 vehicles and did not need to garage either one. Anyway, without a garage, if I do purchase, at the very least I would need a high quality outdoor car cover. Any thoughts or reccomendations? I'm in the military and won't be leaving my current duty station until I attand the Captains course (FEB 2014 at the earliest) so moving into a place with a garage just isn't a viable option at the moment... Anybody else out there using covers instead of a garage?? It would pain me to do it but I think i'd rather have the car to enjoy now rather than wait until I have a garage to keep it in.


Thanks as always for the input guys!

 

[TonyCool]

California Covers Outdoor Superwave cover. There is nothing better out there IMO.http://www.calcarcover.com/c_covermaterials/car/4/2004/Dodge/Viper/Roadster/Superweave/1/

 

[Steve M]

I've always been a bit leary of car covers for outdoor use...a good gust of wind can easily unseat it, and then it'll sit there and flop around on your paint until you discover it. The ones I've used also don't seem to keep the car very clean at all.

 

[jknappster]

Have you considered a storage unit?

 

[PeterMJ]

Car covers are great if you have to keep your car out during the day, well fitted cover and secured properly will not flip and will save interior and exterior from the sun damage. With that said, as already said, I would seriously consider getting a storage unit instead of living the car outside for extended periods of time.

 

[1bad540]

rent a garage from a neighbor!!

 

[denniskgb]

Have you considered a storage unit?

+1 .01c

 

[Mopar Steve]

Car covers can do more damage than the elements. Keep the car clean and waxed anf the car should be fine outside. Any dirt on the finish, when the cover is put on the car becomes sand paper as the cover moves on the surface. regardless of how well fitted the cover is, it will always slide on the surface to some extent, even when installing and removing the cover.

 

[Allan]

I agree about the cover thrashing the paint. The weather will do less damage to the car without a cover beating the crap out of it in the wind.

 

[Natrops]

+1 on the storage unit.

 

[MikeG]

Storage Unit.

 

[Wiretech]

Having a viper parked outdoors with a car cover is not a good option, it attracts thieves and jealous individuals IMO wait for a proper storage as everyone suggested.

 

[PeterMJ]

Car covers can do more damage than the elements. Keep the car clean and waxed anf the car should be fine outside. Any dirt on the finish, when the cover is put on the car becomes sand paper as the cover moves on the surface. regardless of how well fitted the cover is, it will always slide on the surface to some extent, even when installing and removing the cover.

I have to disagree with you and few others who claim the paint damage. Fitted covers made out of good quality fabric flap very little and certainly can be secured to not flap at all if this issue due to wind. No wax can prevent paint oxidation and damage to the rubber trim, tires and interior are a real thing, not to mention convertible top if this is a roadster. Storing car outside is not an ideal solution but if it has to happen, high quality custom cover is a must. Also, there is no reason why you cannot double bag a car, using high quality soft cover on the inside and using more rugged and/or cheaper "sacrificrificial cover on the outside. This way, you get very good protection for the car and prevent the expensive cover from falling apart. I have done it in the past and would never leave a car uncovered, letting it sit, susceptible to sun, wind, insect and bird droppings. Only cheap and mismatched covers can damage a car, do your research and do not go cheap and there will be no damage.

 

[nate1121]

Thanks for the thoughts guys!

 

[Black Adder]

i have just got a VCA cover for my 2010 ACR. it fits really well and is made of Weathershield HD. It is excellent quality, more features and no more expensive than the equiv from the many generic manufacturers

 

[Langford]

Try coverquest.com