Storing a car in central Florida...

[goofy4tink]

Dh and I are seriously considering buying in central Fl....probably within 15 miles of WDW. But, since I will be sporadically (a month at a time), I don't want to rent a car. And I don't want to drive down every time I go..1300 miles solo isn't my idea of a good time! And finding a nice condo/townhome with a garage isn't always easy. So, I thought that perhaps I could store it someplace and then grab it upon arrival each trip. Has anyone done this, or know of a place that offers car storage? I've seen a few places but not sure which ones are better than others. Thanks!!

 

[OKW Lover]

Hmmm, interesting question. I guess I'd look for something near the airport so that you could just uber to there Diane.

Just did a quick Google search for car storage near MCO and a few possibilities show up. Not sure if the price is good. Also suggest you look for covered, if not actual inside, storage.

 

[NJ Goofy]

Most (not all) of the self-storage places offer car storage, outside (which I wouldn't recommend) ranges from @ $50 to $90/ month, and inside unit is in the $135 to $190 range. I think you may want to do the math on a rental car, especially if you belong to Costco or some other group that gets car rental discounts. When you start to figure the cost of the car, insurance, maintenance and transportation to it (Uber) it may be cheaper just to rent, just a thought.

 

[kaytieeldr]

1300 miles solo isn't my idea of a good time!

I would be happy to ride with you...

 

[NH-to-FL]

Dh and I are seriously considering buying in central Fl....probably within 15 miles of WDW.

Wonderful! So happy for you! I wish you success in your search!

And I don't want to drive down every time I go..1300 miles solo isn't my idea of a good time!

I here you... I wasn't interested in doing it with a co-pilot. We drove our car down once and left it there. I know that there are people that can jump in a car and drive for days. Not me, one drive down 95 was enough for me.

So, I thought that perhaps I could store it someplace and then grab it upon arrival each trip. Has anyone done this, or know of a place that offers car storage?

Sorry, I can't help... we have a garage. I pump the tires up good and hard and put a Battery Tender on the battery. These modern cars will all of the electronics can't go very long without a charger or a good drive to keep the battery charged. I measured my older truck and calculated that the battery would be totally dead in 90 days. Make sure wherever you store the vehicle has a place to plug in a charger.

When you start to figure the cost of the car, insurance, maintenance and transportation to it (Uber) it may be cheaper just to rent, just a thought.

This is a good idea. I confess I did only a very cursory examination of long term rentals.

 

[DVC-Don]

I leave a garaged car in central Florida from late April to mid October. I get an oil change (synthetic), top off the tank and add fuel stabilizer to the tank (and drive 20 miles to get it into the lines and injectors and then top it off again), inflate the tires to the max on the tire sidewall, stuff steel wool in the end of the tailpipe (to keep little critters out) and also use a battery stabilizer. Been doing this for 7 years without any issues.

I also do this for the two cars I leave up in Upstate New York for the winter.

 

[NH-to-FL]

I leave a garaged car in central Florida from late April to mid October. I get an oil change (synthetic), top off the tank and add fuel stabilizer to the tank (and drive 20 miles to get it into the lines and injectors and then top it off again), inflate the tires to the max on the tire sidewall, stuff steel wool in the end of the tailpipe (to keep little critters out) and also use a battery stabilizer. Been doing this for 7 years without any issues.

Yes, I forgot to mention the gas stabilizer and the oil change. Haven't blocked the tailpipe... might have to think about that. Especially for the northern vehicles. Those little furry critters keep finding ways into my garage. All part of the joys of snowbirding.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would be happy to ride with you...

You're so incredibly thoughtful!!! What a buddy. I shall keep that in mind!!!

The issue is that I would be going down for a month at a time, every other month or so. Not truly a snowbird. My dd works at WDW, lives in Kissimmee. And we're looking at moving there permanently when dh finally retires. So will buy something cheaper now, and then move to something nicer in 5 or so years. Hoping to find something with a garage. A rental would cost me about $800 a month. I'll have to see what buying a second hand car down there and putting it on the road would cost...then compare for the year.
Thanks for the storage tips though....I hadn't thought about critters!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

What about using the Auto Train? Instead of buying a car and leaving it there unused for long periods?

 

[goofy4tink]

What about using the Auto Train? Instead of buying a car and leaving it there unused for long periods?

A possibility. But, the car would only be stored/undriven for a month or so at a time. I would most likely be going down for a month at a time, every other month or so.
We're considering driving down, then dh can fly home. Reverse that to get home. Might make more sense in the long run, and cheaper.

 

[NH-to-FL]

I would most likely be going down for a month at a time, every other month or so.

Another part of the equation is the wear and tear from the mileage. 5 or 6 trips a year adds up to a lot of miles. High mileage impacts maintenance costs and will accelerate depreciation. I think I read that the average cost is around $0.60 per mile. Which varies depending on whether you have a economy sedan or a big pickup truck.

 

[goofy4tink]

Another part of the equation is the wear and tear from the mileage. 5 or 6 trips a year adds up to a lot of miles. High mileage impacts maintenance costs and will accelerate depreciation. I think I read that the average cost is around $0.60 per mile. Which varies depending on whether you have a economy sedan or a big pickup truck.

Absolutely. I have a lease CX-5. Mileage will add up quickly!!! A lot to figure out.