Tedz Pony

Wish I could do that Imatk. Sadly, though, I live fifteen miles away and many days I am unexpectedly there until midnight.

Fryguy

It also depends on where you live if you want to cover your car. If you live in a hot climate, then it would make quite a bit of sense to cover a car, esp a black one.

Is it extreme, perhaps. It is understandable, most definately.

Do I do it, no. It is a car and not an investment. Enjoy the car for what it is.

Imatk

Yeah that sucks. I'm about 8 miles away, but I generally get out before the sun goes down.

I would say if you have no alternative you could cover it.

For me when I HAD to drive I just made sure I used the sun visor (I also have tinted windows) and made sure the car was washed and waxed and the trim protected when it had to sit out in the sun.

But I don't know... I might cover it if I had no other choice... I say do what makes you happy. Who gives a crap what other people think.

07ShelbyWanter

I've got the same problem and I've found a solution. I just bought my '07 Black GT, and work in Newark, NJ in a crowded parking lot. Not exactly new Mustang friendly.

But the answer is simple. Buy a beater! You'd be suprised but I am actually a 25 yr old male with 2 points on my license and I have insurance through Geico. Now mind you insurance in NJ is out of control, but I pay $1300 per year on full coverage for my Mustang. Guess how much it would cost me to add a beater? I found a random VIN number of a 97 Jeep Cherokee for a purchase price of approximately $3000 and 100,000 miles on it. Then on the Geico quote I didn't put any collision or comprehensive on it, and I'd actually pay $50 less per year on my insurance! $1250/yr for both the Mustang and Cherokee instead of $1300/yr for just the Mustang.

The reason for this is pretty simple. Geico knows I will be driving a very expensive car much less because I have 2 vehicles.. which means the probability that I have an accident with an approx. $30k vehicle is much less.

Other reasons to buy a beater: Save money if you can get better gas mileage (depending on the car you buy), and Save mileage on your Mustang, aka more bucks if you decide to sell it.

Now all you gotta do is keep your Mustang in your garage, and find some spare cash

lowepg

lol- i looked on cars.com and found a 12 yr old honda accord for like $3000..... thats cheaper than the SC I was going to buy- and free insurance!

I just dont think I could bring myself to driving a piece of crap with that 'stang in the garage! Doh! Guess thats whats its all about!

simple06

I'm with 07 shelby and think a beater would be the way to go. I'm very lucky and have a garage at home and plenty of garage space at work. But to really care about your car and then have to worry about it at work would really get old. I feel for you.

1200custom

Almost the same here. I have an old Honda my sister gave me that needed minor work. When my 06 GT came in I was gonna get rid of it. I had my agent run some numbers and it only cost me 200 bucks a year more to insure both cars. It does seems like insurance companies cut breaks to get people to keep older cars and leave the nice new ones home. My primary car is the Honda and my GT is listed for pleasure, which is very true. Keep your eyes open for a beater that needs work. Try Craigslist or something like that . There are always people wanting to get rid of cars cheap that need a little work and they just can't be bothered. The best part my GT is almost 1 year old with only 6,500 miles and I save money on gas just going to work and back.

JoeP

You didn't mention if your lot is indoors or out. If indoors, the dent guards would be a good choice. If outside, then a cover is the only way to go as the sun is the enemy you need to avoid. As everyone said a beater is not a bad way to go - I've got a 2001 Grand Cherokee that is my beater.

karman

I got a cheap truck for daily driving. Brand new $10K after rebates.

biznazion

The old beater is the way to go for sure. I kept my 17 year old honda around after I got the mustang. It's actually cheaper for me to insure 3 cars than it would have been to insure just 2. I also have a vehicle that I can park anywhere and not worry about and I keep extra miles off both the other vehicles.

lowepg

You know- I was thinking about a beater, but then it occurred to me - the reason I fell in love with this car is becuase I love to drive it.

I have a crappy 30 minute commute to work- I used to hate it. Now - I look forward to firing up that GT and hearing it growl. I enjoy driving to and from work now..... and driving home- putting the top down- is ultimate stress relief for the day.

So, after doing a bunch of math on a beater- the emotion trumped the fiscal logic- just like it did in the showroom! I didnt buy it to look pretty in the garage- I bought it to drive!

So, I will take the best care I can, probably try those protector things, but I will be driving it. Nothing against those that drive a backup car during the week- but thats not for me.

Thanks to all those that offered their suggestions!

Tedz Pony

That's the spirit! I feel your pain. I drive mine to work everyday and park it right next to the flightline on a military airfield. But plain and simple fact of the matter is - I bought it to drive. If I could afford a spare truck for utility purposes, I might do that, but I'd still want to drive "the cool car" (as we call it in my house) as often as possible. Enjoy it for today - you never know if there'll be a tomorrow.

Boltzman

I dust mine with Cal duster before covering every day. I park it where I teach and can see my car every minute of the day up close . If it rains and the cover is on I just roll it up and drive 7 miles to my house and hang dry it on my wall separater in my garage. If the car is dirty ,i do not cover it.
I just purchased a nice scooter to drive to work so my baby can rest comfortably in the garage

Reminisce

Instead of selling my old car, I actually kept it and have it parked at my parents house. Its a 1999 Mercury Cougar V6, my first new car, and when winter comes (winter in Miami is a joke, but whatever), I'll probably pull that one out. The only reason I havent bought a beater is because I live in a condo and parking spaces are limited. Though with as much money as Im spending on gas and my commute to and fro work, I may park the GT at my parents' house a couple days a week and pull out the old Cougar. Though I fear my father may want to drive it, lol.

lowepg

funny thing is- with my kids taking their bikes in and out of the garage- and my wifes Suv parked next to it:

Im finding my own garage might be just as dangerous as outside parking! :-)

karman

You let other people in your garage unescorted ???

Even my wife avoids going in the shrine...uh...garage alone.

Tedz Pony

My wife's only allowed to park in the garage if she agrees to squeeze way up tight against the other wall when she parks the SUV. If she's not willing to do that, she has to park in the driveway...

mrkabc

Well, I guess I am the heretic here...

Mine is a daily driver. I take it to a car wash on Saturdays. I have never clay barred it, used Zaino, or even washed the 'Stang myself. I don't cover it up, I don't care about door protectors, and I don't pay particular attention to where I park(shrug). Parking in the boonies won't work, because invariably there is some POS that will park next to you, even if the lot is empty.

I bought this car to DRIVE. My previous two 'Stangs were garage queens since at the time I had a company car. Hell, my 2002 'Stang only had 29k miles on it when I traded it in for this one, and looked just as new! Didn't help my resale value any, and I'll bet that when it comes time to sell MY 'Stang's value won't be that much less than one that sat in a garage for it's entire life.

So I decided I am going to drive this one until the wheels fall off, and I am going to have a great time doing it. I love this 'Stang fiercely and believe that this is the best 'Stang I have ever owed, but no more garage queen! This time I'm getting my money's worth. Yeah!

Boltzman

I see what you are saying. With me though, once I quit caring about my car in the tiniest bit,I lose interest in it altogether and cannot wait for the "NEW CAR." I am not keeping it in mint condition for resale, I simply don't like any of my material possesions worn looking . I simply enjoy stuff more when it looks new,no matter what it is

Tedz Pony

I agree with Boltzman. I wash it myself, keep it waxed and looking nice, but in the end analysis, you can't take it with you, so enjoy it while you've got it. I drive it every chance I get, even if I have to go to Wally World, and even after having been hit in a Wally World parking lot (whole different thread).

But to each his own. For anyone who bought it to be a collector's piece and/or show car, good on ya - smart move. But to those who bought it to be their car, enjoy it, drive it every day and just do your best.