If you own a luxury or sports car you have an investment that’s worthy of the best care possible. All it takes is a little extra care for your automobile to retain as much value as possible. That’s only important at trade-in time, but the proper care needs to start on day one. For the money, there’s no better way to keep your fine machine in excellent condition than using a car cover when the vehicle is parked.

To best understand how custom car covers  resale value it’s important to be aware of the used car market and how buyers and sellers appraise cars. Almost universally the information published by Kelly Blue Book (KBB) provides the basis for the value. The “Blue Book,” as it is called, rates vehicles by their condition. A standardized grade of poor, fair, good or excellent is applied. From my own research on KBB, the difference between full grades is approximately 15% of value.

Let’s use a 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 sedan as an example. With all other conditions being equal, a 2007 S550 sedan with an “excellent exterior” condition is valued $2,100 higher than the same vehicle with an exterior in “good condition.” This is only a single example. In my research, I discovered other Mercedes-Benz models with a much higher value difference between excellent and good, including the incredible CL65 AMG Coupe. A 2008 CL65 AMG Coupe in perfect condition is valued at $98,530 but drops a whopping $4,900 if the exterior condition is degraded to “good” condition. The difference between the excellent and good can be something as minor as a few door dings or paint scratches from shopping carts.

Before you head off to your local auto parts store to look at covers, know this. All you will find are ready-fit products. The price is right, but I suggest you do your research before you even consider one. My personal experience with ready-fit car covers is that they can do more harm than good. I’ve had a lot of cars (thirty-two at last count) and all but my Bronco and trucks have had a Covercraft or Coverking. Let me explain why.

Not only are these the top two brands, but they are right here in the USA producing jobs. I like that. What you get for your money is quality, computer controlled construction, using only the very best fabrics. A perfect fit for your vehicle is guaranteed. A ready-fit hangs on a car like a sack. Custom-fit is pattern-perfect and snug so it shows off the beautiful lines of your vehicle. It’s the snug fit that prevents the possibility of damage to the paintwork.

There is one alternative, and that’s a visit to your car dealer. In most cases you can get a factory branded cover. It might even be made by one of the top manufactures. The problem here is that they treat it as if everyone has the same basic need. Don’t take me the wrong way; I’m not suggesting it’s inferior. It’s just that your car dealer can only offer you a single choice. If we all lived in sunny San Diego, California where the humidity is low and the rainfall is lower, what the factory offers would be okay. I say that because factory covers are light weight fabrics made for basic protection from the sun and dust.

For your luxury car you need a custom-fit Coverking or Covercraft cover. It’s the right choice and I know you will be thankful for the incredible selection of fabrics. You can choose a material for indoor, outdoor, waterproof or a mixture of conditions. And, let me tell you, the fit and good looks are second to none. If you’re a car enthusiast, you might even want to color coordinate or take advantage of special features, like racing stripes. It’s all possible when you go custom.

For the ladies, here’s a gift idea for you. Some men are impossible to shop for, especially the affluent ones. Let me suggest that a custom-fit car cover is gift he will love. I can say this with authority because I still have mine, and it was gifted to me over ten years ago. Trust me on this suggestion, ladies. Car guys love receiving gifts that acknowledge their passion for the automobile.

If you’re planning to give one as a gift, plan ahead. Each one is strictly made-to-order and it takes a few weeks. For the holidays, including Valentines Day or Father’s Day, it’s best to order about six weeks in advance. Be certain to figure out how he will use it, too. There’s a big difference between indoor and outdoor fabrics. Also, if he’s a sports car owner you’ll need to think about storage space. A bulky waterproof cover might be inconvenient due to the small trunk area. If he parks both indoors and out, compare fabrics carefully. There are fabrics that work in and out but you need to be sure to get the right one for your climate.

In all cases, consider a locking cable and a storage bag. The locking cable helps with theft protection. You will sleep better at night knowing both car and cover are safe and sound.

If your car’s long term value is important to you, invest in the only car accessory that will keep it in excellent condition. Luxury cars, including BMW, Cadillac and Infiniti, loose 5% or more of their value when the exterior condition drops from “excellent” to “good”. The difference is as minor as a few preventable paint scratches or door dings. Custom car covers help you avoid the common hazards that chip away at your excellent finish.