Outdoor Car Cover

[Zack]

Need advice on a good out door car cover for my Mini as the new place I'm moving into may not have a garage. Any advice would be most helpful.

[Minidave]

Waste of money....

First, you won't use it.

Second, it can damage your paint if you leave it on very long, as dirt and dust will get under it and the slightest wind will rub it against the paint.

Third, you won't use it.

The effort it takes to put it on and take it off means they're only really good for use in long term storage, indoors.

Cars are made to live outside, invest in a good periodic cleaning and waxing, it will do as much or even more to protect the finish.

YMMV

[Zack]

Why does Mini make car covers then? They are all over the Mini aftermarket sites (outmotoring, minimania, mossmotors) and even Mini sells them. I don't want some drunk idiot scratching my car or knocking my side view mirrors off because we won a basketball game and everyone else is doing it. Just a thought. I don't plan to park on a street if I can help it. If it will really cause more harm than good, then I'll be hoping I find a house with a garage at this rate.

[boxer]

Dave is correct. You won't use it. Maybe in the begining, but after a while, you will get tired of mounting and removing it everyday. Then there is storage.

[Zack]

Dave is correct. You won't use it. Maybe in the begining, but after a while, you will get tired of mounting and removing it everyday. Then there is storage.

Hmmm. Good point. That's what car insurance is for I guess lol

[IowaM1N1]

Agreed -- covers are ideal only for use on a perfectly clean car in a garage. Outdoors is just trouble waiting to happen.

And they are a hassle to deal with even in a garage.

[Minidave]

I've seen cars damaged with the car cover on, because said damage can be done and it doesn't show till the cover comes off - and the perp is long gone.

[mcconned]

+1 to what Dave and Greg said. When I had my driveway replaced it was suggested I cover my car in my garage due to all the dust, etc. from the work geing done. I found one at Walmart for under $25.00 and it was a 2 person operation to put on. maybe with practice and repitition you may be able to do it yourself. It probably wasn't intended for outdoor use which is why it was so cheap.

[Zack]

Well if you haven't seen my damaged roof post the malfunctioning garage door damaged the car so I think my new place sans garage will be perfect. Ill just wash and wax it and keep it looking nice.