Heh...almost wanted to title that 'Detailing for Dummies', but that's not what I mean.
Thanks to a run-in with a Lyme-infected tick some years ago, I have severe arthritis and contend with a fair amount of pain and fatigue daily. Not enough to slow me down (much), but I work full time and have a toddler and a Civil-War-era fixer-upper house, so I have to make a fair amount of judgment calls everyday as to what gets my energy and attention.
The MC Cabrio that I have on order will not be garaged (no garage, alas, and as it is a historic district there will never be one). We do have plenty of off-street parking, but also quite a lot of pollen/sticks/beech nuts/bird crap et cetera due to our big trees. I have a very short commute and hope to keep the car 10+ years, maybe give it to my son when he reaches driving age and demonstrates sufficient responsibility (and get another one for myself of course!). I want to take good care of it, but let's just say I know my limitations.
Some questions, then, with advance apologies if they are duplicated elsewhere:
When I take delivery, do I need to do anything right then (i.e., wash, wax, anything else that springs to mind) ?
Should I have an outdoor car cover? If so, any suggestions as to the brand?
Is taking it through an automatic car wash utter anathema?
How often should I apply wax, and what kind would be best (keep in mind: joint pain, fatigue, limited mobility)?
Is there anything else--simple--that I can do to keep my new baby in decent shape?
I have been going through the threads but am quite overwhelmed at this point. Hopefully I'll have the car before the end of August and can do right by her.
Thanks in advance, what a great resource these forums are for MINI owners and future owners
.
-Gail
