Rent a Garage

[SkullyZ]

Hey, does anyone know of a garage rental in the charlotte area or have knowledge of some free space to work on/store a few Z cars?  I know I can get storage space like a 10x10, but I was hoping to find something more garage oriented (drain, better lighting, heat, etc).  I've been searching for several ways from commercial to craigslist, even toyed with the idea of a garage business, but there are insurance, epa issues there-

I have a two car garage, but it's full of tricycles, bicycles, toys and other crap and I need a place to work on my Z's - it's driving me crazy.  I've even considered buying land for a separage garage space...argh.  Any help, assistance is appriciated!

Skully

[NightOWL]

ahhh, the garage business. i looked into that once.
I hang bikes from the ceiling on pulleys and have storage boxes up high.
Maybe better garage storage utilization might help? or  shed?

[FastColor03]

This has beena serious thought at my house. I have done the same search. I have NO garage. I can (currently) get a frame lift pretty cheap.

I have even considered as biz model where, like, the 6x10 to 10x10 storage building storage model, creating a rental garage complex. Each row of garages would have outside walls, security (but be open from 8'ft to 12'ft ceiling w/ chain link), base space would be 12x18 and walls would be moveable to expand customer garage, common drain trench system to common sump (sump can be pumped out to city sewer, but has petrol constituent alarm/cut-off), on site fluid disposal, each row has frame lift (for rent), some specialty tools (for rent), compressed air system, fire protection, etc. Most spaces would not be conditioned, but if there was a call for that....... hmmmm. Even an onsite performance (Kwik Stop) like store for consumables (have you ever tried to find Red Line or a very good DOT 4 brake fluid in CLT?). Perhaps even 460V3PH electrical source for electric welders...
There would be on site covered (car port like) storage as well. With enough room, car trailer/hauler storage.

But anyway. I would be willing to ante up something towards a shared garage/storage area, where could keep 2-3 vehicles and have room to share lift use, and have reasonable assurance that my stuff would be treated as I would treat others. Nice to find corner of a big warehouse space that was at least heated, with 24/7 access, appropriater access and utilities.
Would also provide community tools and contribute towards necessary service hardware and components. I have seen such in a couple of warehouse space in cental CLT (one off N. Davidson, full of old VWs and parts bins). Have looked for old barns, gas stations, small (and old) country homes w/ shops. Even considered the $900 mo 1200 SQ/FT office spaces.   

[TheNazgul280Z]

Mike,

Move to the country and build your own garage to suit your needs!  One reason I'm in Lake Wylie is because I couldn't find any 3 car garages with high ceilings in Charlotte that weren't 500K+ homes.  I too had considered those 10X15 units but it didn't seem practical for anything but storage.

[As an aside, would you care to fill us in on what cars your looking to store and work on?  Did you find a 1st gen Z for a track car??  Did you go to GA and get the one you were looking at?]

I would offer my garage and lift for a weekend, but it sounds like you need something more permanent so you can work on a "roller", or something that will be taking more work than can be completed in a week.

The biggest speed bump in my mind is the cost of the tools and the sharing of the community tools.  The more people involved means a greater variety of care taken for said tools and equipment.

Maybe you could start calling some speed shops in the Charlotte area to see if they are willing to rent out a portion of their garage or storage buildings.  I picture hundreds of secret shops such as CC Boiler's place that have cut back and no longer need all the space they have.  This will probably be a costly endeavor, which is precisely why sometimes it is cheaper to pay someone to do the heavy stuff for you.

There are some pretty fancy and large storage units in the industrial park that Draco Performance is located.  I've seen people drive out of those things with $200K classic cars and the inside looked comfortable, heated, running water and even carpeting.  It sounds like you are willing to pay a premium for the opportunity to do your own work, because the monthly expense will probably be more expensive than paying a bodyshop to do the work for you.  Maybe call Draco and they can give you the phone number of the landlord there.

Sounds exciting!

[SkullyZ]

yes, I've looked into this from several perspectives - one would be a 'garage community' where the houses would be more like carriage houses - enough for 1-4 garage spaces and a very small to medium sized loft above the garage depending on the model - focused around the garage / gear head / collector - privacy, safety, etc are formost, but the idea would be affordable for someone to purchase as a 'second' home for a low amount and the property should remain consistant for those who wanted to sell down the road- When I talked to my realtor she contacted a developer who thought the carriage houses would run around 80-120K - seems mighty high but ok...Even looking at the rent - a - garage space concept has those drawbacks and most people found they ended up doing work for others with the tool rental, etc on-site concept and just turned it into a garage...

So perhaps with this feedback, we could pool our resources together to find a spot to live at?  I'm working on the 240Z in ATL, it's a matter of time now as the orignial owner applied for duplicate title for the transfer so at least that's in progress.  I may also one day get the opportunity to restore my dad's 66 Honda S600 that my evil brother is hiding from me under a few tarps and a  ladder in Ohio. And then there are the mods to the current Z's that I'd like to do and NOT pay someone else because I just don't have space...As for moving to the country- I would love to, but I would loose too much money doing it - Actually, my long term plan is to move out of this house in about another 6-7 years when the kids are tweens so we can live out in the country, I can have my Z barn, wife can have her horse barn and kids can be kids. 

Anyone interested in going in on some space, let me know- like G said - as long as there is mutual respect, I think we could work it out...

[flipside6400]

It sounds like something a number of people would be interested in. I could certainly use a little pratice turning wrenches and NOT snapping bolts off... Let me know as things progress, Thanks Phil

[TheNazgul280Z]

SkullyZ,

There are communities that cater to pilots where you have your own private airstrip to use, taxi your plane to your own attached hangar at your home.  Fly in and park it at your house!  John Travolta lives in one in FL.

What I picture here is a community of Car Guys (and Gals):

The Cheapest way to do it may be with Townhouse style living with the complete ground level floor dedicated to a garage/workshop.  Maybe a small kitchen, refrigerator and  livingroom area with TV could be a upgrade along with a half bath, sort of like a mini-Jay Leno deal.  One or two bedrooms upstairs and additional living space could finish it off.  The townhomes could be built in such a manner as to face each other in a semicircle to increase the community feeling.  The neighbors could gawk at each other's rides, and nobody will be too upset when their neighbor only seems to be able to get his project car running after midnight.

Another more expensive idea would be a central detached garage in the middle with small homes backed up all around it.  Each homeowner would have part ownership in the garage along with a designated space for their tools.  There would be a common area for the work to be done and a separated stall system to store your cars safely away from the work area except a large sliding glass window looking in from the work area to each stall so your vintage racer or supercar can be both admired and watched over while you work or hang out.  Again, a refrigerator and small kitchen in the community area with a couch and TV.

On the property deed there will be a provision that any new owner looking to buy in would have to go through an interview process and have references from at least one of the other owners.  In other words, the owners would have control of who is a member of the special arrangement they have, so you can keep the mutual trust and respect that would be necessary for something like this to work.  This could mimic a co-op in a big city like NY.

Heck, if you go out far enough in the country, you could even snatch up enough land to have enough to spare for a dirt track or a place to test and tune your car that is off public roads, such as a skidpad and a small parking lot to hold an autocross....

Some neighbors could get together and split the cost and form a race team.  Something affordable like Spec Miata.  Then there's a reason to use the garage space and it increases the camaraderie of the neighbors.

I would do this.


It's good to dream.  That's what gets us out of bed in the morning.