storing car for future use?

securityguy

joyfull wrote: »

Thanks so much for the responses. This will really help the decision. Starting to think keeping it is not an option.

If you do decide to keep it (and like everyone else, I think you'd be most unwise: it'll turn to scrap fairly quickly) remember you need a SORN, as otherwise you'll get nicked for it being uninsured and untaxed.

mgdavid

joyfull wrote: »

Thanks so much for the responses. This will really help the decision. Starting to think keeping it is not an option.

can't say without info about the other car and your criteria; logically you want to keep the nicest / cheapest to run / newest / most reliable or whatever your criteria are. Keep the better of the two - a rational decision based on facts, not on a whim or the advice of people on a forum who don't know you or half the facts that will inform the decision.

Rolandtheroadie

mgdavid wrote: »

can't say without info about the other car and your criteria; logically you want to keep the nicest / cheapest to run / newest / most reliable or whatever your criteria are. Keep the better of the two - a rational decision based on facts, not on a whim or the advice of people on a forum who don't know you or half the facts that will inform the decision.

The beauty of thoughts (as requested by the op) is we give them, the op slots them into their circumstances and makes an informed decision.

TrickyWicky

joyfull wrote: »

Thanks so much for the responses. This will really help the decision. Starting to think keeping it is not an option.

Rubbish!

For some reason there is a myth that keeping a car on your drive means it will magically turn to worthless dust-rust. It doesn't. It's still a car, it's still made of metal, it still has an engine, gearbox, wheels etc. Sure, the value may decrease and yes you might need to do a bit of work to keep it serviceable but that is the same with your home too. You have to clean and hoover don't you? I'll bet you also change lightbulbs too right?

Seriously, if you're going to start thinking that you should get rid of it based on a bunch of annonymous people saying you should then you really do have a problem. Many people lay their cars up long term. I have a neighbour with a classic car on his drive. It's been there every year that I've lived here. Never moved once, never been taxed or insured, it's just sat there. It's a 60's vehicle too (maybe even older) yet he's not worried about it rusting away (although in fairness, he's replaced a lot of rusted metal when he bought it and restored it).

jaydeeuk1

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Rubbish!

For some reason there is a myth that keeping a car on your drive means it will magically turn to worthless dust-rust. It doesn't. It's still a car, it's still made of metal, it still has an engine, gearbox, wheels etc. Sure, the value may decrease and yes you might need to do a bit of work to keep it serviceable but that is the same with your home too. You have to clean and hoover don't you? I'll bet you also change lightbulbs too right?

Seriously, if you're going to start thinking that you should get rid of it based on a bunch of annonymous people saying you should then you really do have a problem. Many people lay their cars up long term. I have a neighbour with a classic car on his drive. It's been there every year that I've lived here. Never moved once, never been taxed or insured, it's just sat there. It's a 60's vehicle too (maybe even older) yet he's not worried about it rusting away (although in fairness, he's replaced a lot of rusted metal when he bought it and restored it).

Can't exactly compare to a classic car. Its a 10 year old Rover worth £1000 at best and will never ever be worth more than that. Depending on length of storage (12months+)If OP has the funds to remove tyres (will go egg shaped if kept on outside, losing air, and hot/cold weather perishing rubber), replace engine oil, coolant, brakes, replace rusted metal before restarting her up.

Quote

"We're both on v low incomes and it seems a shame to let go of the car which may have many more yrs left in it."

I fear the OP may not have the funds to treat an old 25 as though it were an E type. As suggested, selling up, loaning to trusted family members/friends who will maintain it may be best option.

TrickyWicky

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Its a 10 year old Rover worth £1000 at best and will never ever be worth more than that.

*SIGH*

Thats the point I'm trying to make. It doesn't matter how much its worth if you want to keep the car. The value of it isn't the end of the world you know.

We have a car on the drive that is worth £500 on a very good day yet it's kept not for monetary value but simply because its a nice car.

Why is this such an issue?

joyfull

TrickyWicky wrote: »

Rubbish!

For some reason there is a myth that keeping a car on your drive means it will magically turn to worthless dust-rust. It doesn't. It's still a car, it's still made of metal, it still has an engine, gearbox, wheels etc. Sure, the value may decrease and yes you might need to do a bit of work to keep it serviceable but that is the same with your home too. You have to clean and hoover don't you? I'll bet you also change lightbulbs too right?

Seriously, if you're going to start thinking that you should get rid of it based on a bunch of annonymous people saying you should then you really do have a problem. Many people lay their cars up long term. I have a neighbour with a classic car on his drive. It's been there every year that I've lived here. Never moved once, never been taxed or insured, it's just sat there. It's a 60's vehicle too (maybe even older) yet he's not worried about it rusting away (although in fairness, he's replaced a lot of rusted metal when he bought it and restored it).

I've asked a perfectly courteous question on a money saving website regarding an issue that relates directly to saving (or not) money.

I've been far too ill to clean, hoover and change lightbulbs, so the effort involved in maintaining an unused car is too much for me.

I appreciate the polite and help ful replies.

I do not appreciate your completely uncallled for rudeness and sarcasm.

steve-L

You really should look at getting rid of one of them.
Neither your health or the condition of the car will improve with time.

I laid up a car at my fathers for a couple of years, was initially meant to be a couple of months. After a year my father transferred it to my brothers.

Anyway, it was plagued by electric faults ever after.
Clutch release needed replacing.
....

It didn't turn to dust, it just needed so many small things doing it was uneconomic for a car of that value.

You can't compare a 'modern' Rover with a classic or even older (non electronics) car where wiring can be simply accessed and replaced if needed. The cost of just fixing a electrical fault can be quite prohibitive.

ffs

No one has suggested investigating the possibility of trying to a friend who will dry store it for you (for free). Again this is only worth considering if you have an emotional attachment to the car, and this option would still require some (presumably impractical) preparation.

jaydeeuk1

TrickyWicky wrote: »

*SIGH*

Thats the point I'm trying to make. It doesn't matter how much its worth if you want to keep the car. The value of it isn't the end of the world you know.

We have a car on the drive that is worth £500 on a very good day yet it's kept not for monetary value but simply because its a nice car.

Why is this such an issue?

Of course the value matters - the OP is struggling for cash and looking for a cost effective route. Spending £1000 for 12months storage, future maintenance, another MOT and probably insurance in case of fire/theft, for a £1000 car that isn't needed doesn't make financial sense. If it was a classic (Top gear gave examples of e types worth £20k, being worth £100k 10 years later) then that outlay could be seen as an investment, regardless of any emotional attachment to the car. Sure, if you have the cash and space then I'd agree with you, but I don't believe the OP does, and thinking with the head rather than the heart I'd suggest selling would be the most suitable solution.