[Dr. G]

So I need to make a trip home for 23 days to be exact. I was thinking of parking my car at a hotel parking and just flying home since I don't really feel like making a 1300km drive twice when I can just fly.

Now the hotel parking is outdoors at the hotel I was wondering if having my car outside for 23 days not driven would be a bad idea in any way? Would this also be an unsafe decision to leave it at a hotel not moving spots for 23 days?

Have to make the decision soon so ANY input would be helpful. Bit concerned about leaving it just sitting outdoors for 23 days because its winter, I'm gonna start googling the subject while I wait for replies... and while I study for my last final haha.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[GTiceman]

Safety is a big concern ... anytime you leave your car somewhere public and open and not move it for a long period of time is kinda like saying hey look who isn't around. Also, you may want to check with the hotel. Many hotels will have cars towed if they haven't moved for a period of time, usually you can get away with weekends or even a week as they tend to have guests who stay that long

As to conditions the car will be exposed to, I can't speak on that as my car stays in covered parking whenever I fly. Maybe you should look into that for the airport you are flying out of. Pre-flight parking and Park-N-Fly are two great companies that I have used in the past where I could park my car in a covered spot and they would take me to the airport. Also, both usually have coupons on the website.

[GreenThree]

Originally Posted by GTiceman

Safety is a big concern ... anytime you leave your car somewhere public and open and not move it for a long period of time is kinda like saying hey look who isn't around. Also, you may want to check with the hotel. Many hotels will have cars towed if they haven't moved for a period of time, usually you can get away with weekends or even a week as they tend to have guests who stay that long

This

I leave my car outside year-round. No issues.

[scheherazade]

23 days isn't bad.

If you want, unplug the battery so the electronics don't drain it.

And if you don't want rain/snow on it, get it washed so there's no grit on the paint, and put a new car cover on it ($20 wal-mart cover is fine for a one time thing).

-scheherazade

[CHCCubs]

I think the weather will be the biggest gamble/issue. If there is lots of snow/ice while you are away it might become quite a task to clean off or even get into once you get back. Covered parking is available at Pearson (since I see you are from the GTA), although the cost is quite high. You might considering taking a cab to and from the airport instead which I did last time I had to fly out somewhere in the winter months as it was far cheaper than covered parking and saved me having to dig out my car when I got back as there was a major snowstorm the day before I returned.

[Rustler]

For the money you will spend for 23 days of hotel parking you may be able to rent a storage unit that allows car storage for the month. I have a storage unit that would fit a car (and others around me have cars stored although I do not) and it costs about $150 a month. Parking at a hotel around here for a month would cost $350+.

[fdriller9]

Are you a guest at this hotel? If not, they have the right to tow.

Also not moving your car for 23 days will grab attention to thieves.

[Dr. G]

First off just to clear things up, I’m not gonna just park at a random hotel, they have parking availible at a daily cost and I was thinking of parking my car there and then taking a shuttle to the airport.

GTiceman – I will look into those parking options thanks for the suggestions!

The location I’m flying out of is St. Louis International Airport and I haven’t been able to find many options in terms of parking.

I will keep searching!

[Schm]

If you study at university, you could park there and then take a shuttle or something to the airport. At least in my situation that was the best, I already pay for parking at college and had a nice, safe garage spot and took an airport shuttle. I probably wouldn't leave your car sitting that long in an unfamiliar parking lot. Maybe you could leave it at a friends house? I live in KCMO, and have been to St.Louis and there's a lot of places I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my car for a night, much less 28 days.

[Tallest]

car's fully insured, right? so why get paranoid on theft! If anything, id be wary of the simple fact it won't start after 3 weeks not being used.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by research

car's fully insured, right? so why get paranoid on theft! If anything, id be wary of the simple fact it won't start after 3 weeks not being used.

Exactly. Car cover on it flapping in the wind is going to do more damage than leaving it out in the weather.

[LagMode335i]

Originally Posted by Leaker

Exactly. Car cover on it flapping in the wind is going to do more damage than leaving it out in the weather.

To add to that; I left my car outside for a four day trip. Someone broke-in the car just to steal the seats...unbelieveable. At that time, I lived in Florida; the rain absolutely drenched the car's inside. All of this was just for days in a gated nice community. The insurance covered all damage that was obvious to the eye. I would still get a storage unit.

[hipnotic]

but something over it and take out the battery

[DASHOCKER]

Leave the car home & take a cab.

[Kikken]

Any car that can't handle 23 days outside should have it's license to exist revoked.

[PeteW84]

Originally Posted by Rustler

For the money you will spend for 23 days of hotel parking you may be able to rent a storage unit that allows car storage for the month. I have a storage unit that would fit a car (and others around me have cars stored although I do not) and it costs about $150 a month. Parking at a hotel around here for a month would cost $350+.

^ This...

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

Leave the car home & take a cab.

What he said

[Dr. G]

Found a solution! Indoor Airport parking garage with security 24/7 surveillance etc etc...

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Originally Posted by Schm

If you study at university, you could park there and then take a shuttle or something to the airport. At least in my situation that was the best, I already pay for parking at college and had a nice, safe garage spot and took an airport shuttle. I probably wouldn't leave your car sitting that long in an unfamiliar parking lot. Maybe you could leave it at a friends house? I live in KCMO, and have been to St.Louis and there's a lot of places I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my car for a night, much less 28 days.

Not at university here, just here for a couple months for some medical conferences and staying at a hotel for the short period of time I'm here. Since I'm not really from around here I don't really have any friends with houses where I could leave the car.

Originally Posted by research

car's fully insured, right? so why get paranoid on theft! If anything, id be wary of the simple fact it won't start after 3 weeks not being used.

I'd rather not have something happen to the car

Originally Posted by Leaker

Exactly. Car cover on it flapping in the wind is going to do more damage than leaving it out in the weather.

Yeah, not a fan of the covers

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

Leave the car home & take a cab.

I'm flying home Leaving my car in the US while I'm home for X-mas.

[TheRox]

Originally Posted by Dr. G

First off just to clear things up, I’m not gonna just park at a random hotel, they have parking availible at a daily cost and I was thinking of parking my car there and then taking a shuttle to the airport.

GTiceman – I will look into those parking options thanks for the suggestions!

The location I’m flying out of is St. Louis International Airport and I haven’t been able to find many options in terms of parking.

I will keep searching!

You at SLU med or something? Lot of Cdns there.

Consider taking public transport...last time I was in St. Louis they have shuttles too don't they?

edit: nm I see it has been resolved.