How to find a place to work on my car?| Grassroots Motorsports forum |

Taiden UltraDork
10/8/12 9:44 a.m.

For the last few years I've had access to a 2 car garage thanks to my mother, she put up with a lot of my crap. Thanks mom!

But now that I'm up at school year round, I have nowhere to work on my cars. The school has really strict rules about these things. I once got harassed by campus PD when I was checking my oil. (Seriously?)

I'm used to doing all my own work, but I have nowhere to do it. For the first time in my life I'm at the mercy of local shops, and I have yet to find a decent one.

I even went around the local shops asking if they knew anyone who would rent out a lift and they all looked at me like I was crazy. I know about three guys back home who run legitimate businesses who would rent me lift space after hours for about $25 an hour.

What's the deal with doing work in parts store parking lots? Any other thoughts on where I might find some space, or how to go about finding it?

xflowgolf Reader
10/8/12 9:49 a.m.

First off, what City/State are you in? There might be a GRM'er in close enough proximity to offer some helpful space.

find a local car forum for whatever brand you own. Likely to find helpful space that way with a local connection. I found my second garage via a regional VW forum.

Or, look for a garage to rent on somewhere like Craigslist.

Otherwise go the old school door knock way if you live in a neighborhood. If you know of an empty/abandoned/rental house with a garage, hit up the owner/landlord, and offer to trade some work for garage use. There's a 2 car off the alley where I live with no garage door on it so it's just empty. The house is a rental, so I'm pretty sure the landlord would be happy to have somebody install a garage door or do some renovation on it in trade for use and/or future rent.

My dad also rents out an extra garage stall in the house across from his own from the widow who lives there.

Know your neighbors, ask the locals for space.