OT: owning a classic in Silicon Valley

JFENG

JFENG

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Guys,
I've got a question that's completely inappropriate for this forum. Let's say, hypothetically, that a guy who has a couple of old BMW's plus a couple of daily drivers needs to move to Silicon Valley. Any ideas/suggestions on how he should house the old cars when 99% of the new homes I saw out there have 2-car garages and none of the lots have space for a barn or out-building. Finally, we're talking about homes for normal people, not tech millionaires (e.g. less than $2m homes).

John
 
If you are local to your in-laws you can leave them in their driveway.
 
Aahh, the car-guy challenge in the Bay Area.

There has been banter on various forums about a 'car club storage facilities'...but talk always comes to the same conclusion in the SF area: The real estate prices are too high, topography challenging and space is at a premium. Supply and demand....

Or consider living farther away where you can have more car hobby friendly space and just 'deal with' the commute. and telecommute if possible.

In the interim, get some nice car covers to reduce visual noise in your neighborhood to appease your new neighbors while trying to solve the storage challenge.

HTH,
-shanon
 
different part of the world - much more expensive houses than hot 'lanta. where there are some really ginourmous houses for sale for $500k or less. sure there are some multi $$$m houses too, but the average is way less. and yes the parking scenario is very similar - wife's car + the coupe are in the garage + the porsche sleeps outside.
 
ironic

shanon said:
Aahh, the car-guy challenge in the Bay Area.
r club storage facilities'...
Click to expand...
Ironic that the best place for old cars is so storage un-friendly. And if you have 3-4 oldies you are really screwed.

But a two car garage w 12ft ceiling will hold four cars


What
 
An RV pad is your friend, and can be found in the bay area. I too have the classics in the garage and the daily drivers in the driveway. My RV pad, with a nice looking fence in front, holds a couple more projects waiting their turn...

Dan
 
I've got one of those storage lifts

Unless all you own are Ferrari's and Lotus Europas, you need about 11ft if you want +6' clearance underneath. If you can live with less headroom the a 10' ceiling should work as most sports cars are not over 4'6" tall, the lift ramps themselves are about 6", and my unit has locking positions about every 8".

But must of the home layouts in SF put living space or the HVAC system, don't they?
 
I have considered lowering my garage floor and making a semi pit to drive into so I can get a storage hoist. I have just under 10 feet. Have had my eye on a Bend Pak 4 post lift for years. Torn between raising ceiling (just a hole for the roof of the car) or lowering the floor.
 
BendPak 4 Post Lift

I just installed a BendPak HD-9ST 4 post lift and jack stand that has a 9k lb. capacity in my 10'6" garage. It is free for 6 months with GE Capital from Best Buy Auto Equipment and the unit cost $2835 with free shipping. I didn't install it myself but I think most of the do it yourself types on this forum could do it now that I've seen it done. They recommend that you don't bolt it down. You can buy a similar one for approx. $1k less but the BendPak is certified and was highly recommended by my local mechanic. So far it is great and I keep my least used vehicle on it up in the air. It makes working on the underside of the Coupe a breeze. You need a small air compressor to release the brakes when lowering and I'm planning on buying some air tools. I'm relatively new to working on cars but having the room to work under the car and get a perspective on any job greater than 12" is a real boon. One month into it and I still think it is great.

I did have to change the auto door opening hardware to a side mount lifter and extend the tracks up to the ceiling but even with that expense I think it is a bargain to make my 3 car garage into a 4 car. I have the potential of making it into a 6 car one but I don't have the cars to populate them. I think my other half would put up some resistance but maybe I can make it into a 5 car garage over time.

If you want any detailed info on the lift PM me and I'll give you all the details I have.

I wonder if an E9 Forum bulk buy could reduce the price?!

Regards, Jon
 
For many years I used a drive in-drive/drive out storage facility geared for RVs (thanks Merhrdad). The double size stalls could hold two cars. I had two next to eachother and could hold six. Unfortunately, there was no provision for trickle chargers, so I paid more than my share for new batteries due to lack of driving them. The hit to the wallet was substantial in terms of batteries and rent, but then if you can't do the time, don't do the crime (or something like that). I've been culling the herd, but am pretty close to equilibrium in terms of passion vs. costs.
 
Really good deal on that Bendpak

Out here in New England, that same Bendpak would have cost $3300 delivered and another 600 put together. I bought an import for $1000 less. Not quite as well made but more than good enough as I don't think I'll ever put more than 3000 pounds on it. The length/width of these new units are made to handle big GM SUV's. I and to drill and remount my ramps as they were 10" too wide for one of my older cars! Even my XKE was just barely wide enough.

Advice: get one that has a locking storage height of at least 6' so you don't wack your head on it enough adjustment that you can minimize the space between the car and ceiling (maximize headroom).

John
 
lift

I am getting ready to order a lift, and had pretty much decided to get a side post for ease of working on the cars. Comments from those that have lifts please, thanks
 
repair vs storage

No question a two post, four arm lift is the best for repairs. But they aren't good for storage due to suspension droop.

The ramp type storage lifts are a compromise because you have to use a jack tray & don't have total access to components on the sides. But I've found my storage lift the right compromise as I can do topside work while the car is in the stored position walking around on the ramps.
 
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