Does anyone keep a 911 parked on street overnight?

[cc000001]

Hi everyone,

I'm very close to taking the plunge and buying a 911 (997), probably a Carrera S. I currently have a Z4 Coupe, which I do love but the time has come for an upgrade I think. Plus, I'm not sure how long I'll have the freedom to do so in the future - could end up married/with kids within a couple of years.

The thing is, I don't have a garage or off street parking. I've never had any problems with my Z4 and it is a nice area (for Halifax!). It's a quiet road for traffic but fairly busy with pedestrians - having nice views and next to some woods, it's popular with general walkers/dog walkers.

Anyway, I know it's sort of irrelevant because all it takes is one idiot to walk by, even in the safest neighbourhood, but I wondered - does anyone else have any experience/advice/warnings here.

I think I will look at renting a garage somewhere nearby but think this might have to be a private arrangement with someone as I don't think there are any general rental garages around here (that I'm aware of). So need to find someone who's willing to rent.

Cheers!

Edited by cc000001 on Wednesday 6th February 22:12

[J-P]

Loads of people do. If you want the 997 then I wouldn't worry about the parking arrangements unless you live in an awful area (which doesn't appear o be an issue). Go ahead and enjoy

[Kenzle]

My C4S stays on the street overnight.

Once found that someone had spat on it but otherwise haven't had any problems.

I too fretted a bit over parking before I began 911 ownership, but soon realised that life's too short....

[Tino]

Mine is currently street parked, but insurance has hiked this year for street parked cars.
Its had the bumpers scuffed, and a couple of panels keyed.
I hate leaving it on the street!

[kingston12]

Tino said:

Mine is currently street parked, but insurance has hiked this year for street parked cars.

Looks as though they have changed it back again in that case. My quotes last year were most expensive for garage parking, next for driveway and cheapest on the street.

[exigepete]

If you do choose a neutral colour, avoid Speed Yellow, Guards Red, Riveria Blue etc! My old C2S in Basalt Black used to blend in nicely with lesser machinery when I did have to park in car parks, on road side visiting friends etc.

[anonymous-user]

Tons. Mine is technically off street, but it's on hard standing (calling it a drive is a push) between the pavement and the front of the house, and the nose overhangs the pavement. This is pretty common round our way. The next road to ours has 6 911s from 933s to 991s with everything in between, plus a DB9 and a GranCabrio. All parked similarly off street, save for a 6 C4s cab, which stays in the road.

[cc000001]

Thanks for the replies.

Regarding colours - I have my eye on a really nice GT Silver one but really holding out for black. So yes, will be a neutral colours.

Having experimented with price comparison sites it seems that the insurance costs are actually pretty small - annual price difference is only around £50.

I think I've decided I'm happy parking on the road.... next problem is figuring best way of paying! Torn between part ex'ing my car, plus some cash and rest on finance. Or, just sticking my car in and putting the rest on finance. To make it more affordable I'm thinking of 5 year finance term - is this a bit mad and should I go for a shorter term?

[Tino]

kingston12 said:

Looks as though they have changed it back again in that case. My quotes last year were most expensive for garage parking, next for driveway and cheapest on the street.

A few that were giving decent quotes last year will now not quote at all for a london street parked car, including Henderson Taylor amongst others

[RatBoy M3CSL]

..Mine lives outside too, if it's going to live on the street, play safe on colours, silver/meteor/slate/atlas/basalt etc... riviera/speed yellow is a poor idea..!

[Shewie]

My 996 C4S lives on the street in Bristol and despite this the insurance isn't too bad. I don't recommend it though as I spend all my time worrying about the car. That said I've not really experienced any malicious damage other than catching a couple of schoolkids trying to lever the badge off the bonnet

The biggest problem I have is that valium mothers in my street in their family fun buses seem to think it is fine to use my car as a parking aid which annoys the hell out of me.

Moving to a place with parking in a couple of months which will be a joy! The only downside is that its in Guernsey so I'll be struggling to get out of second gear most of the time... Oh well, life always has it's compromises!!

As above - I'd avoid bright colours as that'll always attract idiots.

Good Luck

[cc000001]

Shewie said:

That said I've not really experienced any malicious damage other than catching a couple of schoolkids trying to lever the badge off the bonnet

Wow... not sure what I'd do if that happened!

[chris_w]

cc000001 said:

I think I will look at renting a garage somewhere nearby but think this might have to be a private arrangement with someone as I don't think there are any general rental garages around here (that I'm aware of). So need to find someone who's willing to rent.

You could do this or just put it on the street (which will be more convenient) and put the money saved in the bank in case something does happen one day (or put it towards a yearly detail/dent correction).

My 996 was parked on the street in Fulham a few hundred yards from Craven Cottage for four years. Despite having hordes of football fans walking past it on a regular basis the only damage it ever suffered was a parking scrape (dopey neighbour) and a bashed wing mirror (dopey truck driver).

[Shewie]

They were only about 12 years old and must have been coming home from school. What they failed to realise was that I happened to be working from home that day and had noticed them through the window purely by chance.

To say they were startled as I came out of the house was an understatement

I chased them down the road and they both headed off in different directions

Luckily no damage had been done and needless to say I haven't seen them since!

[SEE YA]

I know its not want you want to hear this but a 911 does stick out a bit. I would have not got mine, if I could not put it in a garage. Before people say its not at my home, I do have not garage just a driveway for now till we move soon then a nice double garage with a house.

There is always some nice cod piece who loves to damage a PORSCHE for whatever the reason?
Also it helps with insurance as well, and peace of mind for you and the car.

Edited by SEE YA on Thursday 7th February 14:36

[PGN 500sl]

Yes. Mine lived outdoors on a busy'ish street in Central London. Never any problems. Had a Z4 previously which also live outside.

Local roads have lots of exotic metal parked on street too. Grancabrio, turbos 360, DB9 etc.

The faff of hiring a garage and not being able to just jump in whenever you fancy would irritate me. Especially if the car is a dd.

[cc000001]

chris_w said:

only damage it ever suffered was a parking scrape (dopey neighbour) and a bashed wing mirror (dopey truck driver).

Things like this are so frustrating. I've never damaged my own car but have had various scrapes and dings that have occurred whilst parked. Not where I live at the moment though - when I lived in Liverpool city centre and also in dreaded supermarket car parks!

Shewie said:

Luckily no damage had been done and needless to say I haven't seen them since!

You must have been a bit paranoid for a while though!

SEE YA said:

There is always some nice cod piece who loves to damage a PORSCHE for whatever the reason?
Also it helps with insurance as well, and peace of mind for you and the car.

This is true unfortunately. But, I guess it could happen when parked up anywhere... luck of the draw! (this is what I'm telling myself at the moment!)

PGN 500sl said:

The faff of hiring a garage and not being able to just jump in whenever you fancy would irritate me. Especially if the car is a dd.

I did think about this and have a feeling I'll get lazy and end up just sticking it on the road anyway.

[Poshfpg]

Like Chris W my 997 C2S has been parked on street in Fulham for 5 years now. Apart from some really annoying parking scrapes applied by others the only thing of note was the centre caps from the wheels being taken once. It happened to the other 911 and Cayman on the street the same night too.

Assuming it's not a bright colour I wouldn't worry about it.

[Ady128]

I'd be scared to death. Mine doesn't get parked anywhere except M & S in Prestwich. Rent a garage and you'll sleep peacefully.

[beeej]

My 996, I'd park it on the street. Left the sunroof tilted open on a summer night... some joker dropped a biriani in! Sigh