Hello All,

I am a new s2000 owner with a concern regarding the storage and preservation of the car.
Right now, I keep it covered and parked under an outdoor awning on the side of the house.

My concern is when the season changes back to winter. How much of an impact on the condition will the weather have if I keep the car covered and parked outside?

I'm thinking of paying for indoor garage storage during the wintertime.- is this going too far?
I plan to hold on to this car for a long time and keep the miles low, which is why I am worried about keeping it outdoors.

Let me know your thoughts...

 

What region are you in?

The issue you'll have with out door storage in any season is moisture. The more it precipitates, the more issue. Also, humidity, aninals, etc.

So outdoor storage isn't ideal for any season.

In "driving" season, you're battling this by driving the car. In storage season, it will sit in dampness/wetness for months at a time and that can cause the chassis parts to rust.

 

I'm in NY/NJ Area - I figured the moisture and weather will be a big issue. But if it is stored in an indoor garage - we should be all good.

 

Yeah, with all the snow and temp changes y'all get...you'd definitely be better off with indoor storage.

Maybe find a friend with an extra garage spot?

 

My car is similar under an awning and with a cover.
Biggest issue I have is animals go beneath it for shelter. Mainly rats. So I put traps and such around it.
Neighbor has cats now so we no longer have rats. But the cats climb the car, the cover being slippery means they use their claws for traction and the cover gets damaged.
Neighbor has paid for a new cover and keeps his cats inside now because I have security footage of the incidents.

Just some info for things I deal with.
We have racoons and possums but for some reason only cats climb on cars

 

I don't have "friends".

 

I'm worried about animals too! Urgh, Why can't I be like Jerry Seinfeld and own and underground car lot in Manhattan. Sighs...

 

If you are planning on keeping the car for a log time with as few miles as possible. I'm going to say "collectible-like" condition.
Winter weather in the NE will eat away at the value of your car. Even though the miles may be low there will be extensive rust for the moisture. Not to mention the possibility of animals nesting in your car. If you want to keep the value of your vehicle up and preserve it in the best condition possible a garage is a MUST have not an option. There are lots of guys and gals here who store their S a garage in the winter. Your car will be valued against theirs and any other S2000s that will be around.

 

Unless I'm out of town with the car it's always garaged when not in use. Winter or summer. Fully enclosed garage seems the best way to preserve and protect the car for my enjoyment. And probably some more cash for my widow when she sells it.

In the Cleveland snow belt I put my S2000 to bed for the winter around Halloween and she awoke around Easter. She stayed in my attached but not heated 2-car garage following the storage instructions in the owner's manual. Due to local heavy use of road salt the car didn't venture onto the roads during the storage time as the salt dust is everywhere. (There's a salt mine off shore under Lake Erie so there's no shortage of salt or brine spray.) In addition the car was off the garage floor a couple of feet to avoid the slush and brine brought in every day. Battery on a maintainer. Dust cover on the car. Liability insurance suspended for the duration.

If I didn't have a good garage the S2000 would have gone in a barn at the county fairgrounds along with my travel trailer and boat which were put away during the same time frame.

Here in Richmond? I think I was driving this year on New Years Day.

-- Chuck

 

good good. loneliness is key