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Lotus in the Peak
28th - 30th June 2024

Cover Options For A Car That Lives Outside Through The Winter But Gets


Rich_p

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posted on Seloc too but thought I would try and get some opinions from here also

 

 

My Elise lives outside and will be used to commute every couple of days over the winter. (I’m on a waiting list for a garage but have only been offered one in a dodgy looking block so far!)

I’m considering a cover of some sort but can’t decide which style to go for.

Reading up on old topics the Specialised full tailored covers have good reviews however there are many mentions of insuring the car is clean before putting a full cover on to avoid damaged from the cover rubbing in wind. This isn’t always going to be practical as I shall not be standing outside cleaning the car in the icy darkness of winter after a day at work!
They also appear to be quite pricey.

The other option I am looking at is a Scrappington longtail shower cap. I like this option as it will keep frost and ice from the screen, hopefully reduce condensation inside and also stop water entering the engine bay area, I’ve had issues with wet weather and misfires already. It will also reduce the chances of damage from dirt that I may get with a full cover.

My concern with using a shower cap type cover is the paintwork being exposed to snow and ice and the possibility of bubbles developing in the paint which I have read can happen.

I’d like opinions from people who have had the same issues and wonder what option you took? Is it best to go with a shower cap and chance my luck with bubbles in the paint? u2u.gif  

 

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Hi there,

 

I kept my S1 outside for a number of years before I got a garage. I bought a breathable cover with a fleecy inner which stayed on it for long periods over the winter. (Was over £100) I always made sure the car was clean before I put it on.

 

However I found I got more bobbles in the paintwork with the cover on than off, because it never would dry out properly beneath (even though it was breathable) particularly on the hard top. Always seemed to get damp inside. So in the end I left the cover off more often to let the air circulate, just covering the engine itself.

 

I would personally just use a shower cap now and cover the engine. Especially if you use it fairly regularly too and it would be dirty.

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Managed to find a pic of my cover.  Got it online from 'Specialist Car Covers'.  Is great quality, and fitted perfectly.  Like I said it just seemed to stay a bit damp underneath (I used to leave it for a couple of weeks at a time between drives).  If you take it off and drive it more often, then it would probably not stay as damp as mine did.

 

 

DSC03585.jpg

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I cover mine in the garage over winter... and the last thing I do before covering it is polish and wax it. Knowing just how much pulling about there is to get the cover on, I think you're more likely to do paintwork damage putting it on/taking it off than the weather will, especially doing it every couple of days. 

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Mine has lived outside on the drive - without any covering for the last 6 years, I park it and leave it - just like a proper car -  last year I got some of the door bubbles (tadts) but apart from that no problems.  Never had a misfire.  Occasionally the rain gets in a bit round the door top, but usually OK.  It is used virtually every day.

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Managed to find a pic of my cover. Got it online from 'Specialist Car Covers'. Is great quality, and fitted perfectly. Like I said it just seemed to stay a bit damp underneath (I used to leave it for a couple of weeks at a time between drives). If you take it off and drive it more often, then it would probably not stay as damp as mine did.

 

 

DSC03585.jpg

Had one on my vx220 and rated it. A little damp when left for long periods but was always frost free in the winter.

 

The exige however gets covered over in a heated, carpeted garage....

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I'm in a similar position (Elise parked outside all the time and only used at weekends) and am on the verge of buying an elemental shower cap to help the soft top never drying out during periods of sustained rain. I've noticed it's developing a green hue (but which disappears when it has dried properly). However, apart from this, I've kept the car outside for 12 months without any other issues emerging and so I'd be interested to hear from other long term owners of their experience of keeping their Lotus outside. That said, £75 isn't too much to outlay so I may just go for a shower cap and see how we get on with it.

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I keep my Elise outside between March and November and have bought a Halfords car cover. It cost £50 is breathable and has straps to attach. I would recommend this cover for all year outdoor protection. I would say it takes about 5 mins to put on and take off.

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From my experience it makes no difference if you use a cover or not. If your car is going to micro blister it will do it regardless. I've had micro blisters on a couple of Elises, one was covered one wasn't, I also think S1's are far less susceptible, don't know if this is due to the clam thickness or the way the S2 clams are finished altimatelty I think the only sure fire way to avoid them is a nice cosy garage. I have recently purchased a carcoon in the hope of my latest Elise not being prone to them but it's more a long term thing and wouldn't recommend it for daily use. I've had pretty good results with specialised through the winter and the lighter halfords(medium size) for summer. I had one car that almost ended in a legal case and having done lots of research I could bore you senseless with why they suffer and some don't. Don't know why the pic is sideways but the Ginger "Security Cat" is an optional extra!

post-80-0-99572200-1443889983_thumb.jpg

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*Cough*

 

http://www.midlandslotus.co.uk/forum/classifieds/item/738-premium-outdoor-car-cover-exige-s2-%C2%A375/

 

Its a little grubby and it was made for the exige (so has an extra bump for the rear spoiler) but I have had zero interest so far so I am open to offers.

 

It served me well... I had no trouble with bubbling or rubbing.

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