Sadly have no garage for my MX5, and have 2 rather poxy car covers at present which are leaking and causing rain spots on paintwork.
I’ve seen some awesome and pricey covers that are tailor made: http://www.thecovercompany.co.uk/evolution_car_covers.html, but I’m not quite in that budget.
I’ve currently got 2 ebay covers, one is the classic lightweight breathable one everywhere sells for £19.99. This has been quite good, but it not waterproof, just breathable. The other one I’ve tried putting over the top of the first one was sold as waterproof - roughly £40 worth, but the silver plastic is so thin, that once you have a tiny tear in it, (bloomin’ cats) it rips wide open and is rendered useless. It also is too big, even as a Small size.
Has anyone got any good solutions for outdoor storage?
Try Classic Additions http://www.classicadditions.com/car-covers/outdoor-car-covers.html I keep one of theier half-covers in the car for snowy days, really heavy rain, and emergencies (e.g. knife through roof fabric).
I’ve found that even if I put it on with the roof slightly damp, the roof will dry out underneath it sometimes.
Thanks, I’ve also spotted that Mazda do an OEM version but for the latest MX5. If it’s well built, it would probably fit a Mk1 (but perhaps be a bit baggy?)
http://mazda-mx5.sgpetch.co.uk/pages/accessories/detail/model=267/category=essentials/accessory=Car+Cover/id=1455
A cover will never be waterproof and breathable, unless it is made from a material like Gore-Tex…and that kind of amount of Gore-Tex would be £hundreds for the material alone.
You’ll have to choose between the lightweight/breathable ones, or the heavyweight waterproof ones.
I agree Jon, also take into consideration how long the cover is going to be on the car and what the weather is going to be like. I haven’t got A garage either and have thought about A cover but seeing as my 5 is in daily use and will be through the winter, the thought of having the hassle of removing and replacing the cover everyday, I think that 'll just continue with A weekly wax wash and polish which takes me about a hour and half. Can’t see the point in covering an already wet car.
Regards
Simon
I use one of these from MX5 parts, pricey & may be above your price range but does keep the car dry & with the straps running under car it doesnt flap about in the wind (anything moving on car will eventually damage paintwork) . Only 5 mins to take it off & put on. I don’t put it on a wet car but its just a case of waiting for a gap in the rain to dry the car off & mine is a second car so no hassle. Downside with the price is if some toerag nicks it, we live in a nice quiet village so no probs for us. Oh & its cat proof (main reason I bought it was to protect paintwork from cats that seem to take great pleasure in scratcing it!!!)
i had cover on both my weekend cars only cheap £40 ones
decided to get a very good one for my mustang £270. breathable /fitted great/ proper straps /etc looked good
within 3weeks all the paint had micro bubbles , took it to my local paint shop a real expert,
he said a cover draws moisture out of the paint and would never advise a cover, after 3 weeks all the micro bubbles
went which is unusual but a few on the mustang forum have had the same problem and had to have a respray , the old flapy cheap one never a problem so if anyone wants a free £270 car cover for a 71 mustang its free
so be aware , since then i dont use any cover but was looking at the pram type that covers the car without touching it
doug
I had this happen on a MG i had (a real MG) and had to have a full strip and respray
So got one of these type in the end, covers are ok out side for short amounts of time.
M-m
I have tried both the half cover and the full cover and wouldnt recomend anyone using one. The car doesnt dry out and the paint ends up marked, and with the half cover if its windy nthen the straps run the paintwork. So all 3 of mine live outside.
We now only use the half cover on the track car becasue the roof leaks.