Three things to add...

I went to an upscale place a couple months ago and when I came out my porsche was right up front. Best feeling in the world......my baby was the spotlight car. Awesome!

The MFI cars are tricky to start when cold if you dont know the hand throttle. Try watching a kid start an old 73 MFI car and crank and crank.

Lastly.....its still just a car. Meant to be driven and used.

True, but I'd rather break my own balky 915.

that is the reason I hate valet parking. They drive it, and they won't be responsible for it. What if the guy doesn't like you, he hit the curb by attention?

drove the SC from my reception to wedding night.

Had to hand over the keys to valet but enforced the must not prime/pump accelerator to start or you will blow the airbox....thats the biggest worry.

Not only that, if you feel the need for a Gallardo right now, to replace the one the valet just banged up, all it takes is walking into a dealership. Same for any new product. Heck, same for a GT3. If I drove one, I would probably happily give the valet the key. But my 930? The product of a long search for an unmolested, non-custom stereo drillings and wiring, non-sunroof grand prix white car and a six month long restoration? Find one exactly like it? Nah, the trouble to benefit ratio just does not coincide with valet parking. Price of car is irrelevant. A perfect scenario would be a guy in a Ferrari 430 and behind another guy in a pristine 512 BBi pulling up to a valet. The guy in the BBi would have to be nuts to valet park. Then there are other variables like body parts availability, wait, etc... Nah, I'll park it myself unless I'm driving some run of the mill Ferrari 430 or GT3. Just exepensive bic shavers in my opinion. There is a difference between just spending money, or spending money after long searches and waits. That's IF the parts are available.

nicely put ed.

well i should of known...i do own classic minis and don't let anyone drive them, due to the fact not only they are RHD but parts are ridiculously expensive for such a small car, the Porsche is even worst on parts, but it was for a friend wife birthday party and the direction given to this up scale restaurant was to the valet parking area...but you know what they say..you live and learn....just wanted you guys opinion on valet parking your classic porsche....well given guys and thank you for all the feed back....

I see that you're in FL, so this may not apply.

Here in MA, when you have your car valet-parked it's considered a bailment and the valet is responsible for returning it in the same condition -- regardless of what is printed on the ticket.

It might be worth a call/conversation with the valet parking company, or a lawyer.

I went to a really nice charity dinner/ball one night a few years back with my girlfriend at the time. Parking was by valet, but the valets were volunteers from the charity organization, with tips going to the foundation. My girlfriend's father was a big part of the foundation and when we rolled up in my freshly detailed Porsche, lo-and-behold it was her father who was the valet at the curb. I just laughed for a bit and then tossed him the keys and told him to have fun.. One of only a few times I let it out of my sight..

Years ago I had to go into a downtown building. The only place to park was a valet at the parking garage. I was in my 1974 914 2.0 at the time and the roof was off. When I parked in front of the valet I turned off the car, put on the emergency brake and put it in natural. I handed my keys to the valet and asked him if he knew how to drive a 914. He said he could drive anything. He fired it up and put it in 2nd and promptly killed it. He tried 3rd & 5th with the same results. I suggested it would help to release the parking brake. He looked around the cabin, under the dash and of course could not figure out how to get the parking brake off. I looked at me so I reached in and released the brake for him. He then tried 2nd & 3rd again. I suggest that 1st would be a better choice. Once again he look at me so I reached in and put in 1st. He pulled forward a few feet and put it in the 1st spot. I was back in 10 minutes and he let me pull it out of the space and leave.

I had a valet get all pissy at me a few mos. ago because I bypassed their podium and parked myself. He asked me why I didn't just valet my car (993). I jokingly said, "Because I used to valet park myself." He said, "Well, that's a generalization and I don't appreciate it." Blah, blah. He was some young kid, had no idea who I was and this idiot actually walked all the way up to the restaurant door, still busting my balls. He said they always get Ferraris and Bugattis in there and are happy to let them park up front. I said, "I don't want anyone else to see my car and am happy to park in the back corner." I didn't tell him I had two handguns in the car, which was the real reason I didn't valet it. But what an idiot he was. I was sorely tempted to go tell his boss about it. But in Scottsdale, his boss probably would have sided with the valet.

I will park 4 blocks away to avoid a valet--in my pickup truck. No one touches my cars but the mechanic and me.

I had a friend have his BMW stolen by a valet in Chicago. Turns out the valet "service" was working with a local chop shop. They'd phone in desirable cars and they'd be "stolen" from the lot. They keys would also be "stolen" from the booth.

A friend of mine was a valet back in the day. If the stories he tells are true, you never, ever want a valet touching your car.

Ever.

I've never had the opportunity to valet, but I don't think I would.

I do park cars all the time though at the country club where I caddy. Last summer I parked the brand new Turbo Cab of a guy I caddy for a lot. That was nerve wracking as he was standing right there as I pulled away and I really did not want to lug the engine nor over-rev it and look like an idiot. Luckily I made a smooth exit.

Never. I won't ever let anyone I don't know personally drive my cars. No exceptions.

Way too many horror stories about people getting cars back with new dents, scratches, dings, etc. and they simply say "eet wuz liike dat wheen yoo geev eet too mee senor". Good luck proving it. Even if you could, good luck collecting.

I also find it obnoxious that these guys expect to be tipped for doing something I can do myself (and prefer to). I understand some people really like valet service and are willing to pay/tip for it. That's fine. However people should have the choice - in L.A. a lot of the underground building garages utilize tandem spaces and therefore building codes REQUIRE valet service. Makes it a major pain because I refuse to use such things (for the above reason) so instead of availing myself of convenient parking, I have to drive around for a half hour to try and find something on the street that's not at a broken meter (illegal), in a tow zone (illegal) or will take so long to walk to/from my destination it will exceed the meter maximum time (illegal). One more reason to hate L.A. I guess. At least I don't go there more than once or twice a year.

Why am I totally not surprised by the above post!

But did you have fun!

It was a nuts in the 1960s.

5 guys who hung with each other all the time and drank our asses off w/cheap beer was the valet staff.

One of our best acts was turning around traffic flow in front so we could hide the opposite damaged side of the car. As soon as car left the premises it wasn't our fault what he complained about later.

At one place the coat check girl was giving bj's to Only high end customers while their wives waited at the table. We figured that if one of us was hanging outside the coat room when it was unlocked and he walked out we'd get a big tip. It always worked.

Otherwise we'd pick the biggest lux car to hang out in.

The "fine print on the ticket" can be overcome if you have proof (say security cam footage) that the employee was really reckless, etc. It will help if your uncle is a lawyer...

I would never let a valet near my 911. Of course, we don't even have valet car parking here.

We do have valet bicycle parking at all major events. Dunno if my neighbors with the fancy bikes trust them -- I just have a cheapie 10 yr old Univega - it does have a Campy front hub tho.

If I have to go anywhere that has valet parking I leave the 930 at home and take the Civic and this happens very rarly , most valet parking establishments aren't my style

My mom had the trunk of her BMW introduced to two long bolts. I believe they noticed after leaving the restaurant. They took the car back, valet and the manager of the restaurant looked at it took care of it. Ironically, the shop the the restaurant recommended, was the same one that we use from time to time.

No issues at all.