Renting a garage?

"TurboSloth" (TheTurboSloth)
01/26/2016 at 16:32 • Filed to: None

I think the last time I posted here was like 2 years ago. A lot has changed for me since then. I graduated college, moved out of mom and dad’s, and moved to a new city (Baltimore) which is 3 hours away from home for work.

But basically, I need a new hobby (kinda). I no longer have the luxury of using a garage everyday or a garage to store a possible project. I live in a high rise with a parking deck, but I can’t really work on my car there (making a mess could get me evicted). I don’t even have any tools with me (all left back at mom and dad’s) except a screwdriver, some duct tape, and a hammer.

I thought of maybe jumping into rallycross or SCCA or something like that, but beating on my daily driver (and only car) kinda scares me, especially when I can’t work on it/try to fix it.

Is there such a thing as a place where I can rent a garage (or at least a bay in a garage) that has a lift/tools, where I can work on my car myself?

Pic somewhat related. My neighbor’s car and me.

DISCUSSION (19)

Matt Nichelson > TurboSloth
01/26/2016 at 16:41

I see you and your neighbor have good taste in cars. Some may knock the Ghibli, but I rather like it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TurboSloth
01/26/2016 at 16:48

There ARE places like that.

For example this one is near me, I haven’t used it but it’s a thing

http://mymechanicsplace.com/

The majority of them tend to have a certified mechanic on hand for advice.

Tripper > TurboSloth
01/26/2016 at 16:51

DIY garages exist but they are few and far between. I did a quick search for them in the Baltimore area and one came up (Self Service Auto Repair), but the first comment says that they no longer offer a “self-service” option:(

You could try and work something out with a local garage for after hours or whatever, but that is probably a long shot. I think you would probably have to rent a garage (monthly) somewhere. CL is your best bet for that.

I always keep my eye open for garage rentals in the Philadelphia area, but I have yet to find one that ticks all of the boxes.

Needmoargarage > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/26/2016 at 17:05

Hey, I know a guy that co-owns that place. It’s a pretty cool setup.

Needmoargarage > TurboSloth
01/26/2016 at 17:07

The DIY garages are pretty common here in the Detroit Metro, but they are pretty rare in most places. I’m imagining this is due to high insurance costs and relatively low demand. When I was in college and working in a parking garage, I actually posted on Craigslist about renting a garage to work in and had quite a few responses.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > TurboSloth
01/26/2016 at 17:59

I don’t have a garage, I really need to rent one. Haven’t done too much research yet.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TurboSloth
01/26/2016 at 18:00

My suggestion for a new hobby? Go Kart racing!

http://baltimoregokarts.com/index.php

http://www.autobahnspeed.com/

And if you want a place to work on your car, I would suggest you check your local Craigslist:

https://baltimore.craigslist.org/search/prk

And then tell the people what you want. An individual home owner renting their own garage space might be able to accomodate you.

I rented my own garage to someone who needed to store and maintain a classic are they owned.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage
01/27/2016 at 09:16

Oh awesome! I’ve thought about going in there if I need some more tools.

I need to learn how to weld, do they have welders there?

Needmoargarage > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/27/2016 at 10:00

Yeah, they have a few. I’d call and see exactly what they have. I think I’ve seen a MIG or two, but I’m not sure if they have a TIG setup.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage
01/27/2016 at 10:10

Would be awesome to figure out how to weld and fix my floors my self in the Montego.

Needmoargarage > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/27/2016 at 10:24

I had to go about that learning process. Honestly, it might be more economical to buy a MIG and learn in your own garage. It’s a pretty long job and having a shop w/ lifts and all might not help all that much. If you run into a hiccup (new floor doesn’t fit well enough or something) you might be in trouble at a shop where you pay by the hour.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage
01/27/2016 at 10:39

Fair point.

Any good at welding? Wanna come over? lol

Needmoargarage > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/27/2016 at 10:54

Haha I would say I’m one you’d not want to learn from. I can stick metal together but it isn’t pretty. There are some pretty awesome youtube videos that help, but what I’ve found is that welding is all about practice. The basic concept is simple but even if you have a pro teaching you it takes a lot of time to get the feel of it.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage
01/27/2016 at 11:15

Hahaha ok

(continues desperate search for decent welder in metro detroit that accepts beer and pizza as payment)

Needmoargarage > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/27/2016 at 12:00

Haha I was in the same exact boat about a year ago with rusty floor pans on an MGB. Ended up just splurging and buying myself a Hobart 140 after finding out how much someone would charge me to do the pans.

MRtwo > TurboSloth
01/27/2016 at 12:01

Welcome to Baltimore. I am in a similar situation as you but am fortunate to have access to a military installation’s DIY auto shop.

I store my non-DD car in a storage unit. I’ve seen people use them as garages but I have yet to get into anything too serious or noisy to draw attention. I have been thinking of getting some suspension work done while I have a place to put the car when it is inoperable.

As others have suggested, search craigslist for a home owner renting their garage or see if a friend has a driveway or garage that you can use time to time and bring your tools from home.

Also, the Washington DC Region (WDCR) SCCA solo/autocross is a lot of fun and has something like 200+ entries for each event. I highly recommend going as they are very welcoming to newcommers.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage
01/27/2016 at 12:08

HMMMM

What’s the rental cost of your hobart?

Needmoargarage > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/27/2016 at 13:05

I’ll let you know when (if) I get it back haha.

Hint: If you buy a 110v welder, everybody and their mother will borrow it!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Needmoargarage
01/27/2016 at 14:08

proof of that is the above request to borrow your welder