So I live in eastern Mississippi and am having to move. I'm in the military and an unfortunate delay in my training has forced my hand... I have to move out of my home (that I've been renting) and into a small apartment for the next 4-7 months. That means leaving the convenience of my garage... None of the apartments in my area offer any kind of covered parking or storage, and I've already decided an apartment is the way I have to go.

I just bought my 72' about 3 months ago. I bought it wanting something to work on in the garage and cruise in on the weekends. It has 75k original miles and very little rust. It is pretty obvious this car has been garaged all its life, it has seen very little rain. The one time I did have it out in the rain, it had a pretty substantial leak due to a poor seal in the t-top.

So I've come up with the following two choices:

1) Rent a storage unit for $60-100/mo. The storage unit is several miles from my home, on my way to work. The obvious drawback to this is that it will be very inconvenient to go dig the car out of storage for a weekend drive. I expect this will happen only one-two times a month at best. But the car (should be) safe and out of the elements.

2) Store it in my apartment parking lot. I could take the money I would spend on a storage unit and buy a very nice car cover - if anyone can recommend one. I think I could find a parking spot that will not get much attention, it would be right outside my door, and I could drive the car much more often. The huge drawback would be having it exposed to the elements.

Feedback very much appreciated. I am also considering re-listing the car for sale, if I do that it will be in conjunction with what ever method of storage I use. AND lastly.. there is a chance that this delay will extend beyond a year, close to a year and a half.

Thanks in advance.

 

While obviously a garage would be the best place to keep it, if you get a good all-weather car cover that fits right it will protect it from pretty much anything.

I am in the military too, and live in an apartment. I got a 4 layer universal cover for mine (was like $75 online I think?). It keeps the car completely dry even in the coastal SC rains, and you can put a lock on it which at least will deter thieves for a few more seconds if they decide to break in haha.

 

I would go with locked storage unit...
much more secure, you don't have the cover flapping in the wind, moisture coming up from underneath etc... a 72 outside would be a target for vandals/thieves

 

Hi N116,
I think the inside storage will be better for maintaining the condition of the car and the safety factor will be better for your mind's ease!
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

 

I would go with the indoor storage unit. No matter how nice an outdoor cover you may get, you will still have issues of moisture and condensation, not to mention the inevitable varmints that may choose your car for long term nesting

 

Here's something different:

A buddy of mine wanted to borrow some cash. I never lend money out so I had him pawn his car to me. Meaning that he would sign over the title to me, give me the car and he had 60 days to pay me back my money I gave him(less than the value of the car).

Since he was a friend, I charged him no interest.

The 60 days went by and guess what, he did not have the money. Now, he is still welcome to buy the car from me but has to pay the full market value.

BOTTOM LINE: Find someone to sell the car to with an agreement to buy it back.
Or find someone like me with space in their garage to store it for you cheaper than a storage unit. I would offer but I'm in Texas.

 

If you opt for the storage unit (my choice), make sure they allow cars in running condition with gas in the tank and all...

 

Storage unit hands down. It will be more secure, dry, no flopping cover, etc. May be a moot point anyway depending on your insurance- may require locked storage.

 

60 Days and he has to pay you full market value!!! I am glad he is your friend.

 

Im also in the military and have a '88 C4 in storage in Texas. Nice to know its secure and I dont have to worry about the car while Im away.

 

I stored a car under a car cover for several years. Even in the relatively dry environment of So Cal, it suffered significant rust corrosion problems. (my 1970)

I've stored my 68 in a storage unit in Palmdale (1985 - 1992) and also in a storage company warehouse (1975-1979). It experienced no or negligable deterioration.

I stored my 69 in a storage unit in Wilmington, California (i.e. near the port of San Pedro). It was stored from 1985 to 1991 (?) The manager of the storage unit stole it. My car insurance company paid me for it. $25,000 for a 68 BB Coupe in 1992. Wilmington is a high crime rate area, this made it a not a good storage unit (Public Storage) to do business with.

Keep your fire and theft insurance current.

 

be careful if you rent a private garage. if the property owner is foreclosed or sued, the car may be subject to seizure. even if it isn't, it's going to cost you legal fees to prove the car shouldn't be attached. plus during these legal proceedings, which as you know could last for a year or more, you won't have access to the car.

 

DO NOT store it in your apartment parking lot. No cover will protect it from theives or vandals. A storage unit is better, but a bolt cutter will cut off about any lock and you won't be able to keep it a secret if you drive it every now and then. That is still a viable option, as long as your car insurer knows how you are storing it and is OK with that.

Are there any boat storage facilities near where you are moving? They usually have some indoor storage; and I don't imagine that they care if it is a boat or a car.

 

I did the whole car cover thing at my last base...never well I do that again. Pay the money and store it. A few miles away isn't that bad when you're taking the car out for a weekend drive anyways. It'd be different if this was your primary mode of transportation, but it's not.

 

It's only $60-100, just get basic cable at your apt (or none) and call it a wash. plus you can also work on it at the unit and leave it disassembled until next time.
Storage Unit = CHEAP peace of mind
Hands down

 

Do you have any buddies in your unit that may have a spare garage bay a their home that they'd loan/rent for the duration?

 

Storage......