Storage Options

[bonou2]

Hi All,

I live in the Northeast right outside Boston. I am thinking about storage for my Boxster and want to avoid storage facilities because they are too pricey. I also sought out Craigslist, but why store it at a complete stranger's house? Any quality car covers I can look into to simply keep it on my driveway?

Thanks!

[White987S]

I would never store a car outside with a cover, but that's just me. I think the car is worth the $75-150/month storage fees. I store my car in my neighbors garage for $75.

You should reconsider.

Also look at storage facilities further away from your home. They will have better (cheaper) rates. Good luck.

[paulv]

Hi All,

I live in the Northeast right outside Boston. I am thinking about storage for my Boxster and want to avoid storage facilities because they are too pricey. I also sought out Craigslist, but why store it at a complete stranger's house? Any quality car covers I can look into to simply keep it on my driveway?

Thanks!

I agree with White987S -- I would never store a car like ours outside where we live.

Regards,

paul...

[stef]

Also remember that you need to drive it a little bit every couple weeks even when it's stored. Apparently, seals start to deteriorate from misuse and brakes can mess up the rotors, not to mention battery drain. It should be on a trickle charge.

[White987S]

Also remember that you need to drive it a little bit every couple weeks even when it's stored. Apparently, seals start to deteriorate from misuse and brakes can mess up the rotors

This is not mentioned in your Owner's Manual. I do not believe your statement to be true either. I hybernate my car from mid October till early April. I NEVER start or run the engine during this time period.

I use the Porsche battery maintainer, over inflate the tires, stabilize the fuel, store with clean oil, and do a few others things. The car has been perfection the past 2 storage periods.

FYI, the brake pads do not touch the rotors when stored out of gear, with the wheels blocked. Do not use the parking brake.

To each their own.

[fokinel]

FWIW, if you are going to store it outside you should save/repurpose some cash and invest in winter tires instead. My spanking new Blizzak LM25s seem to work dandy in the light snow we've had so far - looking forward to a bit more snow to give them a good traction test...

[kbrandsma]

Anybody heard about winter storage with gasoline that contains ethanol?

[White987S]

Anybody heard about winter storage with gasoline that contains ethanol?

Most gas, in or near large cities, contains up to 10% ethanol. I can buy gas in a few places that does not contain ethanol, and try to at all times. More importantly, the gas for storage needs to be stabilized.

[stef]

Also remember that you need to drive it a little bit every couple weeks even when it's stored. Apparently, seals start to deteriorate from misuse and brakes can mess up the rotors

This is not mentioned in your Owner's Manual.

Anecdotal evidence withstanding, I read it in the owner's manual about the brakes. This is not in the section about storage.

Seals on AC need to be exercised, even in the winter. This is fairly well-known, common knowledge, and that part was my editorial.

I'll see if I can find it, and give you a page reference.

Here it is, page 58 of my owner's manual (retyped, so ignore typos)

Vehicles without Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB)

Even though the brake discs consist of alloyed grey cast iron, they will unavoidably start to corrode if your car is parked for an extended period. The brakes will tend to "rub" as a result. The nature, extent and effects of corrosion depend on the amount of time the vehicle was parked, whether granular or liquid road salt was spread and whether grease-dissolving agents were used in car washes.

So, I respectfully reaffirm my statement. Parking for extended periods can indeed affect the rotors, and you have a reference from the owner's manual. I can provide references on AC seal maintenance if you like, too, but not from the owner's manual. I would also block the wheels and not use the parking brake, to help avoid this issue. However, I've changed enough brakes to know that brakes often do touch the rotors, if only a tiny bit, because there's no spring to push the calipers apart. You can hear them brushing the rotor, even though it's not pressing on it hard.

Edited November 12, 2008 by stef