I agree w/you 100%. It helps a lot when its raining too.

Vandalism / theft prevention - if they can't see it, they can't f--- with it.
Keeps it out of the sunlight (UV rays damage just about everything, high temps for interior is bad too)
Keeps it out of the rain when not driven, preventing water spots
Keeps it out bird spots from forming when parked.
Keeps it out of hail...
No door dings from idiots parking next to you
No key marks from idiots who think people shouldn't own nice things

Hell, I hate parking in a public parking lot, because of the levels of moronship in the world. I won't even park it at work because someone with an *** fatter than mine and with less concern for other people, more than likely carrying crap in the building, will manage to knock up the paint on my car.

I caught the dealer almost setting a clipboard on my Z once. People don't think about ****. Even my friends that I've let ride in my car, aren't careful enough - a friend of mine the other night popped the door open to get out, then was holding the door open with his foot on the speaker grill while he continued talking to me before getting out. wtf...

I think it comes down to a case of "it's not mine, I'm not paying for it, why should I care?"

~I can understand this one, guess I am lucky to have a private driveway for the most part
~Sunlight is nothing, proper protection and this will never be an issue
~When not driving? So all the water you get on it while driving is ok? Same as above, proper care and water is a non-issue
~This can be an issue, especially if you are away for a day or so and that stuff drys.
~Good point, but very little hail here (lucky)
~Last two are more public places, which we all know what to do (park far away).

My Z sleeps in a parking structure haha. I live in an apartment complex near school.

Yea my garage was full of arcade and pinball machines. Its amazing how quickly a hole was made when I bought the 370Z. A day after I bought the 240Z there was room for two cars. Now that I've got the 280ZX I dreaming of building my next house/garage.... or is that garage/house.... hmmm.... dang - and I just finished building this one.... maybe I should get a jackhammer and shovel....

kannibul hit everything on the nose. anyway BUY the Z, rent a garage, life is too short:tiphat:

For what it's worth, I live in Phoenix and bought my 370 on an all-day rainy day (toweled off after getting it home, of course) and that night we had the worst rain/wind storm I've seen in central AZ in the 10 years I've been in these parts... trees felled, tons of sideways water and sh!t blown from other yards... I just kept thinking thank GAWD it's in my garage and not outside at the dealership!! Gave my girl a good home just in the nick of time.

Not to scare, but even in Phoenix we can get bad hail sometimes, and REALLY bad hail can actually total a car. Something to consider.

I bought a house earlier this year with a 2 car garage. That was definitely a necessity for me. The funny thing was, right before escrow, I went out to test drive the new Z. I almost signed papers right there for the car, but decided the house was more important. Low and behold, when October came, I went out again to the dealership just for kicks. I made a ridiculous offer and they agreed. Now my Z is tucked safely in my garage.

I would definitely recommend at least a car cover. I have friends that park outside with their nice cars, only to wake up in the morning to see cat print/scratches.

Two car integral garage at home was not enough. I had one built at my office, too. Now my Z is undercover 24/7, except for limited highway time (5000 mi./yr.). I sleep well and so does she...

No garage here, i get to park under a large oak tree, YAY! :(

Nice post and a rep boost for the info.

I use a garage. 20 years in the military and never owning a home till the last 4 years makes one appreciate having one.

Too many people have one and then fill it up with lawnmower, tools, storage, etc. I see it all the time.

I should post a pic of mine. I painted stripes that I back up along (to insure I can swing open my door all the way and not hit my wife's RSX who parks along her stripe on the floor). Glued firm foam matting to the garage walls to protect the door edges on the sides of the cars that face the garage walls. Glued 2x4s to the floor with liquid nail to bump the tires to let you know when you're in far enough (and not hit anything behind you).

Our cars are daily drivers but they're inside overnight and inside during work. Hot Georgia sun is the main reason for a garage. After that, vandalism and theft. Our neighbor bought a Z for his daughter. Had a spat about a year later with a neighbor across the cul de sac and BOOM, one day gets up to see his daughter's Z key'd.

1) No comment
2) Being a person who can screw up paint by looking at it and fretting over every hairline (or less) scratch, the less I need to wash and wax the car the better.
3) Water when driving is unavoidable. Rinses off easily enough though. That's different than the car getting rained on, then the sun beating down on it.
4) In addition, see #2
5) Oklahoma gets around 1-3 hailstorm per year that will put dents in a car. My 97 Ranger and 2005 Civic have evidence of that.
6) I live in redneck country mixed with Walmart-land. Parking in BFE doesn't help..much.

No garage here.

The Z is my daily driver. Already has rock chips, and a tiny door ding which I fully expected when I made it my DD. When I own a garage, I will buy something garage worthy (i.e. GT-R). I love my Z, but I don't consider it a "must-have" garage car.

The funny thing is, I "down-selected" to a 370z because I DIDN'T have a garage.

You must be much older :) At 24, the Z is pretty much an up-select ;)

Anyway.. sounds like its comfortably okayish to go for it without a garage after reading all these replies.

Mine lives in a gated, underground, heated garage :tup:

I very seldom drive the thing though so I wouldn't want it sitting outside 24/7 (haven't driven it in over week as I type this :( )