Scottish Elises

Have been thinking about what options I have for protecting the Exige from its first winter.
As I live in the centre of town I don't have a garage and really can't be assed keeping it out in my parents garage all winter.

Does anyone cover their car in the winter months and leave it outside? I have seen a few outdoor fitted covers on the market but I'm still not convinced the weather would stay out and also the wind etc would perhaps rub the paint?

Finally, are the Exige's as bad as everyone makes out for corrosion if left out through winter un-protected?

Any thoughts/experiences?

A good proper clean followed by a good sealant and proper protection is your other option sir, followed by regular top ups will see your pride and joy looking great throughout the winter. Not a sales pitch by any manner of means, just advice!!!

Ally

Mine will be getting used through out the winter months. Craig, talk to the guys at polish bliss in Kintore. They have all that fancy polish pish, sold me a bunch of stuff that really seems to work and only takes half an hour to wash and polish he car. Should keep it looking and help protect it over winter. As for the metal bits, will just have to keep washing it so the salt doesn't get a hold.

Mike

as for car covers, i have seen a few poor fitting covers rub back n forth across tight corners i high wind on the paint and cause some damage so just be aware of that. like the others have said, a good premium wax/sealent should help keep the worst of the elements at bay.

I've been leaving mine out with a fitted cover. It does still sandpaper the paint due to the wind getting under it- need to put additional ropes and a soft sheet over the car first. The metal parts of the car will get fcuk-ed regardless- I was apalled at the state of mine when the car was 18 months old. Seems Lotus use sodium chloride as a preservative. Seriously- I've had 20 y.o. boats with less corrosion . The trick is to stop caring

As the polishers have said, the paint can be protected with certain products, but i wouldnt be so worried about the bodywork protection, and more about keeping the rust off the suspension components. For this, it really needs kept out of the weather altogether.


I bought my car a 14 months ago, it had been a dry weather car, and garaged all its life, and there was hardly any rust. Now, 1 year later with it living outside, its starting to look like the titanic under there.

The saving grace is that a full suspension powder coat and new bearings and bushes isn't hard or expensive to do. Looks like new and is a much harder wearing finish than what lotus use. That said yours is a bit new for that at the moment.

Leslie called to say that all the pats are ready Mike. Was gong to arrange to have them collected but of course they need to go back to you.

Still waiting on the Nitrons.

tut

Home on Wednesday, will pick them up on Thur or Fri. Depending how I get on with mine, still haven't changed the box and now have new exhaust, should be over at weekend, start of week if you've got your nitrons.