I have school after work tonight and there is a SEVERE HAIL WARNING in effect for the entire time I am in class.

I am going to have to run home (20 minute drive) and switch to the Alfa and try to hurry back (another 20 minutes). The area has NO covered parking, so I usually try to have the MINI in the garage as much as possible during bad weather situations, but I sort of don't have a choice.

 

Get the Alfa (Which one? Milano? Spider, 147?, 156?) and leave the MINI under covered parking for sure.

 

1989 164 Twin Spark. I think I paid $3500 for it, and that was three and a half years and two accidents ago.

 

Remember, if there is no other choice you can use your body to protect at least your MINI's bonnet.

Good luck!!

Think you could get me a Vespa Scooter cheap?:smile:

 

ACH!

Would an outdoor car cover offer any protection, at least against small size hail?

I have no covered parking or indoor garage available for me.

 

surely they'd let you park inside..... just this once?

 

No covered parking available for me at work, either. I'm lucky enough to live only 3.5 miles from home, though, and we have a spare vehicle. If hail is in the forecast, I skate home at lunchtime to tuck the MINI under the carport and swap vehicles.

If I'm caught where that's not an option, I look around to see if there's an overpass, bridge, or other structure with a shoulder or safe pull-off space close by. Worst case, I can excuse myself, sprint to the car, and make a mad dash for cover before the ice cubes hit.

At work, I have my emergency shelter already planned out. There is a wide, covered, but not-oft-occupied sidewalk at one end of our building. The curb has access ramps molded into it. I've measured the distance between the uprights supporting the roof over the walkway, and it's plenty wide enough for a MINI. When it's pouring rain, the nicotine addicts usually found milling around there dash inside for cover- as does everyone else, for that matter.

That leaves a deserted, paved strip of precious shelter-- that will, if it comes to this, be unashamedly occupied by one very small car.

This contigency plan does, however, carry the risk that if I succeed, all my colleagues with storm-damaged cars will vent their frustrations on me for escaping the worst of it.

Good thing for me my satisfaction with my MINI is higher than that with my job. Jobs are replaceable; my MINI, I'm often tempted to say, is not.

 

Ain't that the truth......

 

I have all kinds of contingency plans for if I am at work, driving home, etc. School is the only tough part, but I should graduate this winter. Won't be an issue after that!