Keeping a maserati outside

[TrevS]

Hi all

I am looking a buying a Maserati Granturismo but my garage is borderline big long enough to fit the car in. I've never had one of the 'nice cars' parked on the drive and wondered do any owners keep their cars outside? Given the issues I've read about rusting subframes is it a bad idea and do any owners use outdoor covers over the winter?

Thanks

Trev

 

[jasst]

A. They wont dissolve if you leave them outside
B. Never use a cover, cause more problems than they save.

 

[Mavster]

Why not use a cover ? I have mine under one currently

 

[conaero]

The covers trap moisture and dirt, the wind blows and the two act like a scouring action on the paint. Also they can’t breathe properly. They may get wet but open air breeze will dry them fully

 

[Mavster]

Good to know, thanks.

My plan was to keep the cover on and remove once a week and take her for a 20 min drive to avoid any issues with being parked for 10-16 weeks.

It is a 4 layer tailored cover, so hopefully not as damaging too as some available.

 

[TrevS]

I've always thought outdoor covers would cause issues with rubbing against paintwork (bad) but might protect the car from any buildup of water in areas prone to rust like the the chassis/bodywork (good).

 

[namaste]

Its keeping them in a garage thats more likely to cause the rotten subframes I suspect. You get moistue build up overnight that doesn't get the opportunity to dry off during the day due to lack of airflow. As said covers will scratch and on all the wrong parts of the car like edges where the lacquer is finest. IMO a car port is the best way to store cars unless you have a well insulated or temperature regulated garage. Water isn't the enemy, its lack of airflow.

 

[Scaf]

These are modern cars and are happy outside, only down side:

1. they get dirty even if you are not using them
2. if you are under or close to trees, drainage holes more likely to get blocked.

Mine lives outside and the only time I use a cover (Maserati outdoor one) which is a very snug fit so does not really move in the wind etc, if if I have washed and prepared the act to go somewhere the following day.

The subframe issue is much more associated with it being untreated and regular use in wet / slated roads.

 

[philw696]

It's all about airflow moving around them.
Keep the car well waxed and protect the underside of the car regularly.
My favoured method is old engine oil mixed with diesel as we used to do in the 70's.
The guys that carry out the French MOT love my cars.

 

[Nayf]

Hi all

I am looking a buying a Maserati Granturismo but my garage is borderline big long enough to fit the car in. I've never had one of the 'nice cars' parked on the drive and wondered do any owners keep their cars outside? Given the issues I've read about rusting subframes is it a bad idea and do any owners use outdoor covers over the winter?

Thanks

Trev

Chap on my estate keeps his 2010 car outside

 

[philw696]

All of mine lived on the driveway when I was in the UK the 4200's the 456 and then the 360 with no issues just use them on good days.

 

[safrane]

It will be fine as long as there is no salt about. Salt attracts moisture and then creates a nice mild acid to rot your underside.

 

[CatmanV2]

A. They wont dissolve if you leave them outside
B. Never use a cover, cause more problems than they save.

Untold Alfas, 3 Masers, couple of Jaaaaaags and a Bentley. All lived outside. All were there in the morning (1)

C

(1)OK, a couple of the Alfas weren't but they were they older ones

 

[mjheathcote]

Its keeping them in a garage thats more likely to cause the rotten subframes I suspect. You get moistue build up overnight that doesn't get the opportunity to dry off during the day due to lack of airflow. As said covers will scratch and on all the wrong parts of the car like edges where the lacquer is finest. IMO a car port is the best way to store cars unless you have a well insulated or temperature regulated garage. Water isn't the enemy, its lack of airflow.

Totally depends on the garage.
Ours is integral to the house and is like another room of the house.
Totally different to say a concrete prefab!

 

[CatmanV2]

Totally depends on the garage.
Ours is integral to the house and is like another room of the house.
Totally different to say a concrete prefab!

Ours is brick on the side of the house and rampant for condensation <shrug>

C

 

[redsonnylee]

My neighbour has kept his QP outside since he bought it 12 years ago, we live 100 meters from the river Thames, the underside gets checked every year and anything dubious is treated. So far all good.

 

[jasst]

Why not use a cover ? I have mine under one currently

I used a cover on my old 4200, caused the paint to blister

 

[montravia]

The covers trap moisture and dirt, the wind blows and the two act like a scouring action on the paint. Also they can’t breathe properly. They may get wet but open air breeze will dry them fully

As Matt says.
I do have an Oem outdoor cover but it means cleaning the car at the end each journey.
Mine lives outside in all weather's, often relatively harsh.
Matt has thoroughly stripped and refurbished my underside, including the important front subframes.
And I mean thoroughly, not reflected in the price. I did have a quote from Maserati/Ferrari. It was ridiculous

She's fine and dandy.

 

[Andyk]

There is a chap who lives in my little town who has had a GT S for years (about 6) and he leaves it on the road day in day out as he doesn’t have a garage. He also can’t always park it outside his house so leaves it in other streets and he still loves it and has never missed a beat. Don’t worry about it as long as it is safe.

 

[flexwing]

As Matt says.
I do have an Oem outdoor cover but it means cleaning the car at the end each journey.
Mine lives outside in all weather's, often relatively harsh.
Matt has thoroughly stripped and refurbished my underside, including the important front subframes.
And I mean thoroughly, not reflected in the price. I did have a quote from Maserati/Ferrari. It was ridiculous

She's fine and dandy.

As above. I've used an outdoor cover on a variety of cars. They MUST fit perfectly and the car must be absolutely clean before you put the cover on. I suggest this a long term strategy, say over the worst winter months. Even taking this action, I have badly scratched the roof due to grit and any rubbing areas can go dull and require polished back.
On the other hand, if you don't have a cover, birds can destroy your paintwork. Take your pick!