Storing Lotus Elise ouside

[ag2014]

Hi

what are everyones thoughts on storing Elise S outside? It has G3 glass coat paint which protects it from weather conditions and the hardtop is always on. But main concern is rusting etc.

I dont have a garage, is there anything to be worried about with this regard? I also have a storm force cover, but its a bit of hassel to keep putting that on and off (making sure car is also clean inbetween to ensure no dust scratches), but even with a cover im not sure about rusting or anything else of concern?

peoples thoughts here would be appreciated.

thanks

[Captain Muppet]

My 1997 Elise is stored outside and not under a cover. I've kept it like that for the last 6 years, and the previous owner kept it outside for 5 years before that.

I drive it all year.

So far nothing is rusty apart from a few fasteners. I took off the front clam a couple of years ago and the radiator fan mounts and tow eye mount were rusty enough that I replaced them rather than reuse them. Other than that it's been fine.

[ag2014]

Captain Muppet said:

My 1997 Elise is stored outside and not under a cover. I've kept it like that for the last 6 years, and the previous owner kept it outside for 5 years before that.

I drive it all year.

So far nothing is rusty apart from a few fasteners. I took off the front clam a couple of years ago and the radiator fan mounts and tow eye mount were rusty enough that I replaced them rather than reuse them. Other than that it's been fine.

how apart underneath the car, anything going rusty etc there?

[Leggy]

If you have the space those temporary shelters look interesting.
Plenty on line, never used one.

[ag2014]

thanks for info guys.

[Ej74]

I have a carcoon for storing my 2-11 outside

[ag2014]

Ej74 said:

I have a carcoon for storing my 2-11 outside

how do you rate these carcoons? any issues? can you store it directly outside or does it need anything on the base of the ground which the car then drives onto?

[Captain Muppet]

ag2014 said:

Captain Muppet said:

My 1997 Elise is stored outside and not under a cover. I've kept it like that for the last 6 years, and the previous owner kept it outside for 5 years before that.

I drive it all year.

So far nothing is rusty apart from a few fasteners. I took off the front clam a couple of years ago and the radiator fan mounts and tow eye mount were rusty enough that I replaced them rather than reuse them. Other than that it's been fine.

how apart underneath the car, anything going rusty etc there?

Underneath the car is aluminium, and it all looks like new after a wash.

The OEM exhaust had rusted through when it was 12 years old, so I replaced it. It's just routine stuff for any car. The advantage the Elise has is that anything that might rust can be unbolted and replaced, so you don't get the creeping chassis death from rust that you get in steel bodied cars (like my '97 BMW which has rust bubbling through the rear arches).

[Ej74]

There is a groundsheet you put down.
Then zip the top layer onto the base.
Inflate
Its been outside in strong winds and I have experienced no issues so far !.

[ag2014]

Ej74 said:

There is a groundsheet you put down.
Then zip the top layer onto the base.
Inflate
Its been outside in strong winds and I have experienced no issues so far !.


do you get any issues with dust with this?

[Ej74]

Car is the same as that day you parked it
Fans, have a filter housing

Also you can park a wet car in it and open the rear flap and it dry's it for you as well...

Its a very impressive piece of kit but cost around 500 gbp