Keep my GT3 outside on the street? - Page 2 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

At the risk of sounding a bit precious, what are people's thoughts on keeping a 7.1 GT3 on the street in terms of harm (or not) to the car from the elements? I've never kept either of the 2 donkeys I've had outside for fear that water will damage/corrode something - especially on the 355 after seeing a few engine bays of other cars that had been kept outside But.... The underground car park I keep the GT3 and 550 in is 15 mins away by car (the joys of living in London), but given that the GT3 does (or rather would) get used more regularly than the donkey, I'm very tempted to move it to outside our flat to remove the ball ache of having to fetch it. Anyone else keep their's outside and/or seen the effects (or not) of doing so? Note that obviously there is an associated potential extra security risk, but we're in a decent area so I'm not overly worried (famous last words!)

Since you've owned both, I think you will agree that the P cars are more robust than the F cars. This extends to their durability in relation to the British weather. Apart from security issues, I would have no qualms about keeping it outside. My CS lives in my driveway and has done since I purchased it nearly 5 years ago.

Hi, IMHO as long as the car is protected from birds droppings and is kept in a well ventilated area, there should be no problems. I am not aware of any particular leak issue on the 997, although given that 996 has some problems, best to get someone with more experience to check on this. Daily driving should help in reducing building up of dirt on the brakes. Hope Mario doesn't mind, I am also interested in this topic as will very likely buy in the next few days either a 997C2S/GTS or put a deposit on a Cayman GTS, car will be kept outside off street. Is there anything else to take care of? I was wandering about using an outdoor car cover if the beast is unused for a few consecutive days and would really appreciate other people thoughts. Many thanks

I think outdoor car covers are considered bad idea as dirt gets between the cover and the car, the wind rustles the cover and the paint gets scratched, happy to be corrected though

outdoor car covers also draw attention to you car, which is the last thing you want

Oh to live in a part of London where you could even consider parking a GT3 outside on the street!

PR36 said: Oh to live in a part of London where you could even consider parking a GT3 outside on the street! We're in Putney, where are you?!

I wouldn't think twice about it. At least from the elements point of view. And forget covers for regularly used car - evil things IMO that trap moisture (even breathable ones) and have to be put on a perfectly clean car so you have to wash it all the time.

Mario149 said: We're in Putney, where are you?! Dangerously close to Roehampton....... When I lived around the Putney area, I saw a lot of nice cars parked on the roads espeically in the area bezween Upper Richmond Rd and the Thames. If you live around Putney Heath then I would say park it in the garage and walk.

Can't you find a closer garage? There's loads within 5 mins walk of where I live (ok I'm out in zone 4). Check in the small side streets you never go down, there's probably garage sites you never knew existed.

Shaoxter said: Can't you find a closer garage? There's loads within 5 mins walk of where I live (ok I'm out in zone 4). Check in the small side streets you never go down, there's probably garage sites you never knew existed. I probably could, but I'd rather not pay another £120+/month in parking costs

Get one of these - I can guarantee 100% that no-one will try and pop it in a London Street. Helps if you attached the image... Edited by Asterix on Wednesday 10th December 13:15

I had my 997.1 GT3RS, Challenge Stradale, 964RS live on the streets of Central London...never had any mechanical issues. Cars started anytime under any weather all year long. Paint survived very well...every other week a nice hand wash and a full detailing per year Edited by 911Thrasher on Wednesday 10th December 15:45

Pros and Cons. If it's outside the flat, you'll use it more. But it could get damaged and more use will mean more mileage. In a garage and it'll be safe but you'll use it less and it'll cost more. It's a Porsche keep it on the street and use it! You only live once.

Depends if you are precious really. I live in a fairly affluent area in London yet have found my 911 with trainer prints on its roof. It's down to luck ultimately. Helps if you have a pretty 'normal' colour. If it helps aid your decision, the GT3 is in my mum's garage about 40 mins away...!

911Thrasher said: I had my 997.1 GT3RS, Challenge Stradale, 964RS live on the streets of Central London...never had any mechanical issues. Cars started anytime under any weather all year long. Paint survived very well...every other week a nice hand wash and a full detailing per year Edited by 911Thrasher on Wednesday 10th December 15:45 ...I thought the 964RS went missing?

I'd be tempted to keep it in the street, put aside the cash you would spend on a rented lock up and use it for pampering- you'll have change at the end of each year. I kept my Tuscan in a rented lock up because I was concerned about repairing the spectraflair paint in the event of any issue- reversed the feckin thing into the garage wall.. Kept my pork outside the flat (Chiswick) and never had an issue, will defo do this going forward.

Mario149 said: I think outdoor car covers are considered bad idea as dirt gets between the cover and the car, the wind rustles the cover and the paint gets scratched, happy to be corrected though Agreed - my 997.2 lives in our courtyard and hasn't had a problem other than rusting disks in 2 years. I too rejected the idea of a cover for the same reasons - here in the Highlands, making sure the car is clean & dry before putting a cover on is near impossible. Have had a full Gtechniq treatment done (recommended) and the bird and bat s t just wipes right off.

Thanks for the advices about the car cover. I knew about the bad points but wanted to get more opinions. Will definitely consider a good hand-wash every other week

LaSource said: 911Thrasher said: I had my 997.1 GT3RS, Challenge Stradale, 964RS live on the streets of Central London...never had any mechanical issues. Cars started anytime under any weather all year long. Paint survived very well...every other week a nice hand wash and a full detailing per year ...I thought the 964RS went missing? Correct...she went missing and replaced by a 575 HGTC But the OP question was more about surviving the natural weather elements, mechanical, paint, etc....so I thought. My 575 HGTC again lives on the street.

911Thrasher said: LaSource said: 911Thrasher said: I had my 997.1 GT3RS, Challenge Stradale, 964RS live on the streets of Central London...never had any mechanical issues. Cars started anytime under any weather all year long. Paint survived very well...every other week a nice hand wash and a full detailing per year ...I thought the 964RS went missing? Correct...she went missing and replaced by a 575 HGTC But the OP question was more about surviving the natural weather elements, mechanical, paint, etc....so I thought. My 575 HGTC again lives on the street. Ah - sorry to bring it up...may she rest in peace.

I'd avoid a lock up garage unless it's on a secure site or has much better locks than your normal garage. Speaking from personal experience in a nice part of North London......... Problem is there are plenty of scrotes that go round checking lock up's....it's very easy to bend a metal garage door just enough to slip the locks and once they are inside they can do whatever they want without being disturbed.

Slightly tongue in cheek, but have you considered moving out of London? I couldn't bear to live in a place where driving and parking are hateful inconveniences. (I work in London BTW.)

This winter my GT3 is going to have to stay parked on the drive as the garage is full of stuff at the moment. I am not worried about it as its only a bit of snow and frost etc. Also gives me a good excuse to take it out to keep everything 'ticking over' Morning drives on slippy muddy country roads strewn with a light dusting of frost and crispy leaves are awesome. What would you prefer to wake you up in the morning, coffee or oversteer?

Harris_I said: Slightly tongue in cheek, but have you considered moving out of London? I couldn't bear to live in a place where driving and parking are hateful inconveniences. (I work in London BTW.) Yes, regularly! Our next move is out and I'm going to find somewhere with a chuffing great barn to put my cars in, and preferably a double garage to put my favourite car of that week in to look at from the man cave converted other half of the garage. Frankly I'm getting tired of town and forking out a small fortune just to be able to park the cars let alone drive them.

I'd only park it outside if I wanted to claim the insurance when it gets stolen ( it's only a matter of time) high priced cars are top of theirs lists and yours is definitely on that list, hide it away

I've parked my GT3 on a driveway in East London for nearly a year, not had a problem so far. I do have a security camera on the car so maybe this has helped keep it safe. I do have an outdoor cover which I only use when the car is clean and I'm not planning to drive it for a few weeks or so, have a good ctek to charge the battery periodically also (once a quarter or so). I am moving to one of the better areas in NW London next week and will be street parking the GT3 - but it will be outside where I live and again I'll have a camera on it 24/7. In terms of GT3s coping with the elements, you do get leaves and crap caught up in the nooks and crannies - just need to be on top of it. I've not had a problem with water ingress and as I have PCCB don't get rusty discs. You can never guarantee anything parking either on the street, in a driveway or garage. If someone really wants to have a go at your car or take it, there isn't much that will stop them - unless you don't drive the car at all and keep it locked away permanently. If you can get some cctv then this is a better way of protection and gives you some evidence of something does go wrong - Id suggest this.