Parking a 458 outside all year a bad idea?

Bazle1 - No I don't use a car cover. Of course the English weather is variable, but we don't suffer the extremes of some parts of the USA.

My insurance premiums are very realistic - I don't think that UK insurers excessively penalise cars that are not garaged. Where I live my guess would be that only 1 in 50 residents has one.

As for the battery, it would be very rare for me to leave the car for more than a few days -but even when I have been away for a week, I haven't yet had a problem. I have a battery charger but have never used it.

However, I think RBK has hit the nail on the head - if you are going to worry more than enjoy, don't do it.

 

I only pay about £300 fully comp on a 430, i bet it would be 3 times more if outside. I ended up with it outside 1 night not starting and had to inform insurer , policy is in garage after 11 pm or not covered

 

Hiscox will cover outside. Im paying £2k per year any driver over 30 can drive , with me driving any other car fully comp with no no claims and just an introductory bonus....with it on the drive covered.

 

Yep anyone over 30 can drive it with my permission. And i can drive any car fully comp even a zonda...

Only exclusions with hiscox are gumball rally/cannoball run europe etc

 

Car cover keeps the 458 very snug, about 90 seconds to put on, has soft lining.
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I would simply move first and thus fix the problem cleanly. Your place of residence clearly does not meet your personal requirements and this "project" is just going to be an unwelcomed distraction. Life is short enough and busy enough to have to contend with such hassles. Keep it simple.

 

I'll just add that putting a car cover on a wet, dirty car can be worse than having no cover at all. The dirt and contact with the paint will act like sandpaper, and eventually get ingrained into the inside of the cover. No matter how soft the lining, it will scratch a dirty car.

 

LMAO it took 34 posts for someone to finally mention this.

Car covers every time you park? Hello scratches!

Dirt and bugs? Welcome to the paint-eating party!

You need a garage at least a covered space like a carport. No protection from the elements means the car is taking a beating 24/7 whether it's being driven or parked.

For the poster that has insurance where his car has to be in bed by 11 PM I have to ask one question: Why would you do that to yourself???

 

I would not get a Ferrari and park it outside 24/7. too stressful. Much higher likelihood of vandalism than a nondescript car. If OP is so wealthy as to not care about a $200K+ car, he can spring for few hundreds/mo to lease a covered parking spot.

 

Do not do this constantly, and do not leave it like this for an extended period of time.

 

Car can handle it but can you?

 

Yes bad idea. I'd wait until you had a place with a garage.

 

Try AVIVA as very good with ferrari, i live in low risk area , getting on a bit and pay a few hundred, u r getting quotes of £3350.
Glad i dont live in manchester mate.
Bear in mind if you have a claim because some drongo has jumped on the bonnet, the new premium is going to be huge.

 

Wasn't there an Enzo which was parked outside for several years somewhere between in the Middle East.

I think that aside from faded paint the plastic and rubber trim and seals suffer from pre mature aging

 

Unless Ferraris and other exotics are quite common in your neighbourhood be prepared for some passersby to take photos of themselves with your car, sometimes draping their bodies against or even over your car (bonnet).

Where I live, owners who drive them into public areas either just drive them pointA-to-PointA or park them in secure spots, preferably away from where there is a lot of people or vehicle traffic. Parking lots are very dangerous places for body damage because a lot of people and cars constantly pull in and pull out.

Personally, I would never park my Fcar in an uncontrolled public area on a regular basis. The belief that these cars can be "daily drivers" like any car is USUALLY MISTAKEN. While driving these cars on a daily basis may actually make sense to you or me, or even to many members of Fchat, it isn't so with the general public unless as I mentioned earlier, exotic cars and Fcars are common in your neighbourhood or if you can afford to buy and replace these cars on a yearly basis without concern.

Fcars are desirable in large part because they are rare and not a daily event. The public is largely responsible for that cachet so be prepared for them to respond in that manner. There have been 458 owners who sold their cars because they couldn't handle the amount of unwelcomed (sometimes scary) attention they generated.

 

You should go for it - life is too short. You could put it into professional storage for the worst of the winter months. Car copes well with being a daily driver. Either a stone chip film or a ceramic coating will help with the elements and A plan insurance can usually get some pretty good deals.

 

If you know you can not afford it, don't buy it. The car will be more of a headache than an enjoyment at that point in time. I am around your age and trust me man, it is not worth forcing yourself into an exotic before you can comfortably afford it.

 

Bazle- Don't listen to any of the Nay Sayers man !!!!

Life is so very very short and fragile, if you like me have always dreamt of owning one, just go buy it and drive the nuts off of it. If and when you come to sell it, don't worry, there will always be someone on auto trader looking to get in the ladder and wanting the cheapest 458 that they can get there hands on, if it doesn't have that pristine look.

For what it's worth:-
Buy it and don't even think about it
Keep it serviced by a main dealer
Get a cover for it
Get some clear wrap to protect the paint
Drive it like you stole it
Get a top notch valet on it when you go to sell it
Job done!

I am similar to you...I saw a picture of a testarossa in a magazine in 1985 when I was a kid and said to myself I have to have one...well I tried the Ferrari thing 20 something years ago with a 308gt4 and I did get some pleasure from it but tbh the car was crap!

I am not a wealthy guy but I have just got the means and have just ordered a new 488GTB - man that car is something else. Had a test drive for about an hour a few weeks ago, man - my mum could take it to tesco's with no problem, and I could scare myself to death in it to! It drives as well as a golf around town when you need and will frighten you to death with the traction control off.

I don't have a big house, but I am lucky enough to have a nice double garage at the side to keep it in.

Just go do it, and send us some pictures, I'm jealous that you will have your car before me! If you are down this way next year lets go for a drive!

Regards

Michael

 

This thread is INSANE ---- Enzo is spinning in his grave at the thought of keeping a car outside. Really cannot believe anyone would seriously consider this.

 

Come and visit London - you will see a whole range of high end motors kept on the street!!

I'm not sure that you meant to call it insane? Why not have your dream car and use it, these are not Garage ornaments, nor are they exclusively available to the super wealthy either.

If he has the means to enjoy it, then why not just wish him good luck with it.

As for the comment about Enzo spinning in his grave, you are clueless!

I have only been on here a few weeks and the bit I can't stand is people making judgement calls on people's life style and means. This is a car forum -we all love these cars equally and want to drive them around.

Do something useful and give the guy some practical advice for ownership, don't discourage ownership- do some research for him on ways to make this work for him, for example offer some thoughts on PPC and best car covers etc.....Dare you, or are you chicken!!!!!

 

Well said Michael.

I live in London and don't have a garage, but surprise surprise, the Ferraris that I have owned cars haven't melted away in the rain.

 

Hi rob

It does make me laugh some of the comments that I see on here!

Some seem to think that these are so fragile they need to be looked after like humans!

The reality is the 458/488 is a pretty robust usable everyday motor and no more susceptible to being outside all the time than a 911 which from what I know most live outside !

I think reading between the lines, some are just a bit snobby and think only really rich guys with big houses should own these cars... Reality is that most will be in that bracket, but there are a bunch of true petrol heads/ enthusiasts that do whatever they can to own one of these.

There was a good thread on piston heads about superstars outside modest houses. There was even a zonda outside a 3 bed terrace parked in the front garden!

Happy days!!

Regards

Michael