oryas

I have a black RX8 which is only 3 months old. I like to keep it clean and shiny with zaino gloss enhancer. When I go to work I park on the residential streets as opposed the my office building's parking garage in order to avoid door dings(which happen frequently in that garage). But I keep having problems with lawn sprinklers, it's happened to me half a dozen times at different locations. I was thinking about getting a car cover, but reluctant to get the RX8 car cover because it looks too thin to repel water. Plus it looks like a tight fit and I don't want to have to struggle with putting it on especially when I'm in a hurry to get to work. Finally I don't like the way the cover says RX8, it's signaling to everybody whats underneath the cover, so I will probably go with a generic car cover. My question to people with car covers, do they keep your car dry against lawn sprinklers?

stanfordcole

I have a custom car cover. I do not have a garage so it is my only way to protect it. It does an excellent job with rain, and even snow. It was funny to uncover that thing with all the snow last year and it looked beautiful. The one I have also prevents dings. I'll take a picture when it's light and show it. I'll find out the brand and be right back.

stanfordcole

This is the one I have, http://www.carcoverworld.com/Technalon.asp

oryas

Thanks for the link. I'll look into it.

cwilliams3

I got the rx8 cover, the mazda one, off of ebay for about 1/2 retail price. There are not many on there so just be patient for one to show up. it is made of I think 7 layers of matierial (I am sure someone can correct me if I am wrong on this) but any way it will repell water from sprinklers without a doubt. I have heard that some of the cheaper covers will leak and can cause more damage than not covered because the water will be trapped on the cars surface.

Regarding the fitting, the cover goes on pretty snug especially if you have a spoiler like I do. After time it will "break-in" and honestly the fact that it is tight is no problem at all. The problem is using zaino, thats right I said it, Zaino, it adds 2 minutes to the process of getting that cover on for me!! That stuff makes the surface of the car so damn smooth that the cover glides off one side or the other about 4 times before I can get it right! Its actually pretty funny watching me try to get that thing covered with a nice coat(s) of zaino.

I say go for the Mazda cover or a comprable in quality other...don't go the cheap route.

8_is_enuf

I have never talked to a sprinkler, but I am willing to bet it is not afraid of a car cover and a car cover's presence will not deter it from doing its job (watering a lawn).

Now.. The car cover may deflect the water that comes out of the sprinkler, but that was not your question..

Hope this helps..

nuf

sideways8

I've received this california car cover(calcarcover.com) with the stormweave to protect my 8 from the evils of lawn sprinklers, rain, snow, hail as well as the occasional door ding/run away shopping cart. was about 180 after shipping.
(also got a bag to stick it in.)

stanfordcole

Here are the pictures I promised. I took them this morning. I zoomed in on one of them so you could see the water beaded on it. I don't have a spoiler and the it is tight on the bumper. I imagine they will custom fit it for a spoiler. I dn't remember if that was an option.

Bodacious 8

Did anyone with a cover have a problem when it snowed on the way home and then you put the cover on? A few years ago I had a cover for a car but if the car got wet and then I put the cover on it would freeze to the car and tear when I went to take it off.

Rotary Titus

You should carry a bigger tire iron in your trunk and beat the living hell out of any nearby sprinklers when you park. That way you won't need a cover :p
lol kidding, but seriously, I thought covers were for long term storage? Do they put swirl marks on your paint if your car's not clean (then you'd have to clean it everyday before you put the cover on and even then after you drive to work there's still some dirt on it??)?

stanfordcole

Yeah you have to keep your car clean. Anything that is done always comes out with a waxing, but I have never ahd that happen on my 8(I had that happen when I had a Miata). I will definately go with a cover more than without. Although when I do put the cover on it, it is when I don't drive it for a week or so. I agree putting it on every night and taking it off every morning would be a big pain. The part about the cover freezing to the car if you put the cover on wet, yep, I don't see any way to avoid it.