Storing My Car For 2 Years

[aurora2]

Hi everyone,

I did post this on Skylinesdownunder New Zealand but it looks like that forum has closed down! What is the world coming to. At least Aussies are still getting their Skyline fix

Anyway, I'm off to London for 2+ years and I've decided I don't want to part with my car just yet. So I've decided to store it in a secure garage. I want some advice from anyone who might know about storing cars for long periods of time -

- should I take out the battery?

- should I drain the fuel? oil?

- is there any issues with the car sitting in one point for 2 years, will this cause the tyres any issues?

- any other advice for storage of car

I'm hoping that when I come back, the storage wouldn't have done any lasting 'damage' to the car. Obviously I'd get it taken to be serviced straight away and make sure its all sweet, but I want to try and do everything I can to prevent potential issues.

Appreciate any tips :sorcerer:

Cheers,

Aurora2

Nissan Skyline R34 GT-T

Tein Adjustable Suspension, 19" Drift R wheels with 245/35/R19 Yokohamas

A bunch of other performance goodies

One pretty fast car

Edited March 27, 2007 by aurora2

[race_snooze]

its better to leave fuel in so as you dont have an empty tank for air to help generate rust. As for tires they will be flattened on one edge permanently after that time frame. Put it on stands. Its better to have anything in your lines then nothing. I would disconnect the battery.

Then when you get back dump all the fluids and flush with clean new ones.

[GTAAAH]

Either drain your radiator or put plenty of rust inhibitor in your water, oil won't matter, fuel may stagnate over that amount of time and be useless, but it shouldnt cause any damage. Make sure the car is getting some fresh air into the interior to, that should prevent mildew and mold and make sure it's not left in direct sunlight. I'd take out the battery just in case to.. something weird might happen to make it overflow, bubble or blow up

[racsov500]

your bushes and seals will cock out too. best idea would get someone you trust to start it and take it for a drive once a month or so

[Wheezy]

Also, there is no way I would start the car when you get back without fresh oil. Making the oil go cold (I mean really cold) and warm again in the winter will break down the oil, making it waxy.

But as racsov said, get it driven every now and then

[Angus Smart]

i remember hearing when you wish to start it back up again it might be advisable to put a bit of oil into each cylinder, like you were doing a wet compression or leakdown test and crank it over a few times by hand or without ignition. maybe do some reseasrch on that.

[n15m0]

2 years is a pretty long time to store a car which will be depreciating the whole time. If I were you, I'd sell now while you can still get some $ back for it. In 2 yrs time GTTs will probably cost 15K!

If it was property then it would be the other way around

[akeenan]

SELL IT

I sold mine before I went overseas and am very happy I did. Because I havent come back. That was over 3 years ago. Oh and I also got 19.2k for a fairly stock 93 r33. As n15m0 said these things depreciate. Look how much the price of r33s(mine being the example) have depreciated in the last few years.

[Guilt-Toy]

you would need to leave the car with someone that can start it every month and take it for a quick spin around the block. safest way.

[Al-R33]

2 Years??

I would definately sell it too! You may love the car but 2+ years is a bloody long time... If you keep it I'm sure that not even 1 year will pass and you will probably change your mind and want to sell it while you are overseas..

Get it over and done with now I say.. 2 years is far too long to have a car sitting away in storage / garage... like a few of these guys have already stated, the car will depreciate.. and you won't even be enjoying it...

P.S. Sorry I don't have any helpful info on storing your car

Edited March 28, 2007 by Al-R33

[Modena]

I dont think R34 GTTs will be worth 15 k in 2 years.

If I were you I would still sell it though... for a high price lol

[ctjet]

2 Years??

I would definately sell it too! You may love the car but 2+ years is a bloody long time... If you keep it I'm sure that not even 1 year will pass and you will probably change your mind and want to sell it while you are overseas..

Get it over and done with now I say.. 2 years is far too long to have a car sitting away in storage / garage... like a few of these guys have already stated, the car will depreciate.. and you won't even be enjoying it...

P.S. Sorry I don't have any helpful info on storing your car

*seconds motion

[nickcorr]

Definitly sell it.

Given the choice of cars you Kiwi's have access to, with your much more realistic import regs, think about what you will be able to purchase with the money you get from selling this car now, plus two years bank deposit interest, and two years of earning GB Pounds when you get home!!!!

You know it makes sense...

Do it!!!

[Nth]

i fi were you i would sell it.

[Beer Baron]

definately sell it. apart from the damage done after 2 years storage and the costs to get it back into shape when you get it out don't forget the cost of 2 years of storage, and the risk of something happening to it, and the depreciation. unless we are talking Mclaren F1, or Ferrari F40 there is no point storing a mass produced car like a 34 GTT for 2 years. do the smart thing and sell it, it's easily replaceable.