HONKER24

iTrader: (2)

I have an '89 Maxima that I would like to do some more serious work on but am not sure where I can take my car to do it being that I don't have a house with a garage.

I thought that the local IdiotZone parking lot would be an acceptable place seeing as how I see a few people every now and then working on their car there until one day as I was replacing a fuse to my amp, I noticed a sign stating that they do not allow people to work on their cars in the lot and that they will tow the car at owner's expense. I've had my car towed once already and I sure as hell don't want to go through that again!

I've currently done the following light work while my car was parked on the sidewalk in front of my apartment:
-replaced window regulator
-replaced master switch
-temporary patch on Radiator leak (JB Weld)
-Gauge cluster replacement and cupholder installation
-Secured third (interior) brake light onto bracket and replaced blown tail lights
-Replaced battery cable connector

I currently am looking to replace my radiator and do a bit more thorough inspections and cleaning (MAF) but I refuse to jack up and lay under a car that can be easily sideswiped.

Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

Friends house??

Move??

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

rent a garage?

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

i don't know of any public place that would let you work on your car on their property. if you will be done in one day, go to a shopping center and park out in the far reaches. i'm sure they don't allow that, but just tell the rent-a-cops that the car broke down while you were there. if you are going under the car, get some jack stands to support the car while you are under it - no matter where you work on your car.

falseicon

iTrader: (2)

I don't know where you are in the Bronx, but I know some people in Queens who drive to a local park, there is ususally no one in the lot this time of year, so i doubt it'd be an issue. And as noted above you can always tell the cops your car broke down. Better yet, check on the east coast regional forum, there has got to be someone on the org who has access to a driveway near you.

Loco7

iTrader: (1)

I knew a couple of guys that did that split the rent 4 ways only worked out to be like $75 per person a month. plus they had somewhere to store all there stuff and car if it was a major project. it was a good size you could fit 4 cars if you packed them in tight

HONKER24

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the suggestions! I may end up driving to LI to get this radiator work done (hopefully before it gets too cold).
I never thought of splitting ownership on a rented garage, I might look into that if I can find anything close and reasonably priced.

Thanks again!

GeorgeTown

Try a Self Storage place. I work for a self storage company in south florida and they rent bays (12 X 32) for $230.00 a month and I have a couple of people who rent and build up a car or two. Just dont tell them you a working on your car until you are inside and then if the manager is cool he wont bother you as long as you dont bother no one else

tripleGmax

iTrader: (8)

what i did last winter when it was freezing out and the wind was blowing hard, is I went to a car wash bay. IT worked the 30-45 minutes i was there. it was cold but not as cold as it was in the wind.

ke5adb

I'd be looking for a new place with at least a level driveway. Never thought about renting a storage place. Then again, I don't recall ever seeing one with accessible electricity. (Wow, 2 big words in a row!)

Phoenix

I painted an entire car in a car wash bay... in the middle of San Diego... in the middle of the night. Long story...

Otherwise, parking garages are nice to do work in. Some even have electricity available. Either way, prepare to work fast as cops/security aren't keen on people working on cars where they're not supposed to. Especially if the only reason you're there is to work on your car.

tripleGmax

iTrader: (8)

haha what did you boost it and try to get rid of it?

twinkle

iTrader: (1)

nah, if it was something as siple as that he would have gone to the "pay and spray"

hotsoysauce

a nice one is look for a farm or somethin near you, usually you can find someone who let you use there barn for the winter for cheap, nice and some are even heated we found one last year (in michigan) for 150 we have it for 3 months bg enough for 4 cars heat+eclectricty and his daughter was nice also (wink) best place i thought
azn dan

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

i doubt you'll find too many farms around the bronx NY.

nismosleeper

iTrader: (11)

Oh that's easy; use an adapter for the light socket. A lot of the local punk bands rent out storage facilities and run gobs of power through a light fixture. Hit me up if in a couple of weeks if you need somewhere though.

Phoenix

Wait... Why do you live in the bronx? Move to Albany or something and get a house with a garage.

95turbo gxe

iTrader: (25)

I love nice Concreate

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

concrete?

95turbo gxe

iTrader: (25)

oh snap yeah my bad ..got me

tripleGmax

iTrader: (8)

i just took it as your southern accent.

medic

autozone can't tow your car if you're there and working on it. I think the sign is there so people don't leave POS cars in the lot to work on over several weeks. Minor stuff should be fine - especially stuff without fluids. You can just tell them you want to do it there so in case you need something you can buy it right from them. I've done this a few times.

Also, for your radiator, you can do the entire repair without jacking up the car (or you can with an SE, not sure if GXE is different). I did this myself. It's not too bad becasue all the hose connections are all at the outer edges of the raditor and easy enough to reach under to disconnect.

staticlag

Hmm, working on a car, in a parking garage, in New York + Terrorism paranoia,... =

Can't end well...