Although I am committed to getting the GT4 or Z06 for the track, I am really hesitant on selling the Spyder. I really think that I will regret it. I don't have garage space, but I can get climate controlled storage place. Is it feasible to take a car off the road for 3-4 years and not have it go to hell?? I know the obvious….get it partially off the ground. Unhook the battery and add fuel stabilizer. What else?

 

Any chance you could drive it once every 2-3 months?
Rubber seals and electrical parts don't like extended dormancy.
If you really are going to let it sit for 3-4 years, I would drain the gas tank completely and evacuate fuel from all of the fuel lines.
You might search the forum or the internet in general for further suggestions regarding oil, cylinder treatment, etc.
If you park the car on your tires, they will likely be too flat spotted to be used.

 

Instead of partially lifting your car. By these or something like them. http://www.raceramps.com/flatstoppers.aspx

I wouldn't let it sit for that long though. how about 3-4 months at a time, and then drive it for a week or 2?

 

No, not really.

After about 2 years the fuel will degrade to the point the engine will not run. In one case of a 993 Turbo S which was left unused for 2 years, the fuel system was shot due to the fuel turning into muck. The fix involved replacing the entire fuel system from tank, pump, lines, and injectors.

Fuel stabilizer can only do so much but I doubt you'd get 4 even 3 years out of it.

Seals will shrink and leak, so after you get the fuel system sorted out, and begin driving the car you can expect to have to deal with engine oil leaks from the RMS and other engine seals, water pump, A/C system to look forward to when you bring the car out of mothballs.

If you can't arrange to drive the car at least every month or two for 30+ minutes, during which time you use the A/C system, and I'd limit the time the car was unused to just a month, you would be better off selling the car.

I can't understand how one could possibly regret selling a car to the point of keeping the car in mothballs for years, yet not regret driving it during that time.

 

I agree with others, why mothball it? Just seek out a storage facility that is close enough to allow the ocasional drive.

I have exchanged emails with a few guys that have sold the Spyder in favor of something else and more than 70% regretted it to the point that they purchased another. So there is something to be said about keeping it. But I would definitely make time to drive it, otherwise what's the point of keeping it.

 

Just such a facility available on Long Island...

Donn

 

Keep it. Drive it when the weather is perfect. Swap as needed for the GT4. Simple.

 

I would want to have the car to enjoy after my track days are over and until I'm done with fun time work in 3-4 years. It’s a chore to drive what I have now on a regular basis. I was hoping to stuff it away. I would sell off 2-3 cars then pull the Spyder out and drive it full time.

 

Wait. Tell me more about using the a/c system. I drive my car plenty, but only use the a/c maybe twice a year.

 

I keep mine off too, but try to remember to run it every once in a while to keep the pump and seals lubricated...

Donn

 

Since it never seems to get cold here I've run mine often but I will tell you after spending 2k refreshing my 951 A/C system I learned my lesson about running my A/C on all my cars.

 

What donn and others have said.

The A/C system needs to be used/run once in a while to circulate refrigerant and compressor oil thorough the system. This also helps keep the seals fresh and prevent them from shrinking.

I like to switch between the various vent choices: windshield, center vents, floor vents; and recirculate and defrost to force the A/C control system (my cars have auto climate control) to move the various flaps in the A/C to direct air flow through the various vent outlets. This exercises these flaps and helps to prevent sticking due to lack of use and movement.

I know it can seem kind of OCD like but I have to point out my 2002 Boxster has never had an A/C problem, never even had to have the A/C serviced in 14 years.

After running the A/C for a while the compressor is turned off and the vent fan allowed to run and circulate air to dry out the A/C evaporator and the air vents to remove moisture in which mold and mildew can grow. The evaporator is a particularly vulnerable spot for mold and mildew to develop. Once this develops the car will have a foul odor and this is hard to eliminate. The mold/mildew has to be killed and cleaned from wherever it has started to grow.

The activated charcoal cabin air filter can also develop a foul odor regardless if you run the A/C with the compressor off and needs to be changed every so often. (Roughly I have found yearly is about right.)

 

No AC in my car

 

Thank for the suggestions Macster. I had learned the A/C lesson from 928 ownership but I never thought to acutate the HVAC system flaps or run without A/C to dry the ducting. Thanks!

 

Thanks macster!