Don't have a garage; does this rule me out?

[DrSebWilkes]

Hello everyone!

So I'm afraid I don't have a garage. Living in the UK, AKA the wettest place in the world, I'm worried that buying an old car would be killing it from day 1 if it is not indoors. I've thought about tarpaulin over a car, and placing silica gel bags on the inside but something is telling me that won't be enough. 

Thanks for any help in advance!

[Wilk]

The classic car specialist down the road said the next best thing to a garage is a car port type of structure that will keep the rain off but allow a draught to circulate to stop moisture building up.... Plus as most car ports are temp structures they're not within planning restrictions

[taurus]

Depends what you're after and if it's a daily or not. In my experience a car out of doors used daily lasts better than one put into a garage when it's wet. Wet cars in garages rust more. On the other hand a classic used only in the dry will do better if stored indoors.

The thing with a car used regularly is that airflow and more constant atmospheric temperature are good for them. Better than being garaged from wet.

Tarpaulins are pretty bad at damaging bodywork and holding moisture in. If you have to use a cover get a good quality breathable cover. A lot of caravan owners have found that covers do more harm than good.

[Deleted]

Tarps and covers are the worse thing to use as they trap moisture even with the really expensive ones you have to remove them weekly to air the car, it may come as a surprise to some but cars were made to be used outside so as long as they don't leak and you clean it now and then leaving it outside won't cause any issues.

[AB car pix]

In my experience salt is the killer, not rain. Just buy a car and use it!

[DrSebWilkes]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I do like the car port idea (might have to think of some DIY solution) but it might not be doable where I live

[batman]

Look at it like this - if it's an old car that has lived it's life in this country and is still here, it should survive a few years under your ownership! All but the most pampered of cars will detoriorate, just keep on top of repairs and enjoy using it, thats what it's all about. All of mine live outside, I've garaged cars in the past and just found it a pain to be honest!

[BT]

It does not rule you out.

You have a few options, car port as already said.

A temporary garage, I am after one to do some work on my mini whilst my garage is in use, around about £150 for one large enough for my abnormally large truck. They seem to be pretty heavy duty and hopefully good enough for what I want!

Alternatively, get onto your council about a garage. I was paying a crazy amount of money for a private garage, around £75 a month. I then got a bit hacked off when the price went up again, so I went to the council. I got a garage less than 100 meters from my house for £25 a month.

[highvoltage]

I keep mine out on the drive and to be honest i agree with what was said above,salt is the major killer not rain.
Generally JDM imports are way more solid than equivalent UK cars at the same age,they get plenty of rain in Japan but don't use salt on the roads.
A damp garage is much worse than no garage imho.Cars dry quicker outdoors,they air better.
I use a breathable half cover that just covers the soft top to save it from cracking and fading etc.

Main drawback of not having a garage for me is not having anywhere to work when the weathers curse word but i don't think the car deteriorates outside.