Returned after a long hiatus!

[M6TTF]

Good afternoon

I was a member many years ago, and through one thing and another, never managed to end up owning an Elan. Time has moved on, and I now find myself in a position to be able to consider buying again. It would be a run around for my wife. Short trips here and there, used most days.

Questions!

No room in the garage - will living outside be that detrimental?
I presume most of them are showing their age now. Her current drive is very no frills, so there wouldn’t be any creature comforts missed.

Am I mad to even consider buying at this time of year?

Had to make a new account, as my password reset didn’t seem to work!

Thanks all!

[Jamie N]

Probably a good time of year if you are buying, although most owners know this too and will not be advertising now unless they are desperate to sell, most sellers with a nice example
will wait until spring.

As for keeping an Elan outside..... I wouldn't, even if it has a cover over it the underside is going to be subjected to moisture constantly, unless you seriously cover
everything thats going to rust with protective coatings. Might not be so bad the further south and east you are but certainly up here in Scotland an Elan living
outside in winter will deteriorate rapidly, algae, moss, mould, corrosion of parts, we've got it all up here.

[Steve A]

The best advice given to me before I bought my Elan, "don't buy one unless you have a garage"

[dapinky]

When I got my first Elan, it was a 'daily driver' and lived outside, without a cover. My second one was the same (we had both on the road for a fair few years, one each).Then the red one went, I built a carport for the blue one, and set about a full restoration. It had survived better than expected having lived outside for 20 years - but still many parts needed to be changed (not counting those which were changed from choice or general 'wear-and-tear'). The inner sills needed work, the suspension arms were replaced, and all other corrosion was addressed.

2 years later we moved house and the car now lives in a garage (as does Angies) - I want them both to last our lifetimes without needing full restoration again.

So, from this, I would say that if you are using it daily, then living outside isn't a big thing - but be aware that the old metalwork will suffer a bit. That said, it also depends on what you buy - there seems little point on insisting it is kept in a garage if it has already been outside for 30+ years, and now needs work (unless you intend to get the work done, and then leave it outside again - which isn't a problem, so much as a consideration.

Some people have no choice on where the car lives - just be aware of the potential issues, which are either long-term corrosion (which may have already been addressed) or short-term water leakage (which can be prevented, or at least diminished, with a suitable cover).