NYC Pelicans, i need your help.

IanW505 · IanW505's Garage

NYC guys, i need some help and/or advice. I'm driving up from Philly on December 20th and staying until the 21st, visiting a friend. She lives in Little Italy, close to Chinatown.

My question is, where is a good (read, safe) place to park for the night nearby? Or, perhaps someone lives near her that has some garage space and wouldn't mind storing my car for 24 hours? I would be happy to provide a bottle of your favorite liquid, or some cigars, etc. in reimbursement.

Any ideas?

-Ian

Eric Schaeffer · 12-09-2004, 04:27 AM

Plenty of pay by the hour garages, many are self parking where you get to choose your spot and hold on to your keys.
All of them are equally secure.
As for where to park, that's an interesting question, if you aren't used to NYC driving there is a better chance of damaging the car (potholes, taxis, etc) getting to her neighborhood than getting it dinged by a careless garage attendant. One option might be to self park at Port Authority (Lincoln Tunnel) which sits atop a major subway artery (A,C,E & 7 lines) and gives you easy access in & out of the city.
I wish I had private garage space to offer you, but I don't. I am jealous of anyone who does.
Park it, forget about it and enjoy yourself in the city.

svarooom · 12-09-2004, 08:12 AM

Ian, I used to live in Little Italy for 12 years- Best place to park indoors is on Mulberry between Prince and Spring Streets(indoor garage)a little pricy but inside. Overnite on the street isn't bad(safe) but you have to move it in the morning

- Overnite inside expect to pay at least $16-20bucks a day.(peace of mind)

Steve

'66 912
'67 911S

kqw · 12-09-2004, 08:19 AM

I would contact a high end hotel and talk to the concierge about parking in their secured parking facility. or...

Make an appointment at the Manhattan Porsche or Ferrari or Rolls Royce dealer and ask for a minor repair such as a relay replacement or new fuses installed or a tire balance or fan belt replacement or etc...you get the idea. Drop it off on the 20th and say you'll pick it up on the 21st.

Be creative. I feel your concern on parking on the streets of NYC.

Porsche virgin · 12-09-2004, 08:32 AM

If you are REALLY worried, find a friend who lives outside of the city, park the car there overnight, and take mass transit in. A bus or the Path train from NJ, Metro North from Westchester, or LIRR from Long Island.

kqw · 12-09-2004, 08:46 AM

Why not just hop on Amtrak in Philly. You'll be in NYC in 1.5 hours.

Manhattan around the 20th of December is going to be crazy busy. But for what it's worth, Little Italy is one of the least crime ridden areas in NY. It's cosa nostra thing.

304065 · 12-09-2004, 10:31 AM

Typical day south of 14th Street

svarooom · 12-09-2004, 11:04 AM

Yeah, Go ahead an listen to the someone who DOESN"T live here and take their advise.
I just gave you the best spot. If you want to park outside the area -then park in Tribeca. walking distance. You won't have to worry ,They are used to parking '04-'05 High end cars all day. and the traffic is the same all year round.

Steve

kqw · 12-09-2004, 11:12 AM

Hey Steve...My condolences to you for still living in the city. I lived in NYC for 15 years and I know what it's like.

Tell me you park/drive your car on the streets of New York....

304065 · 12-09-2004, 11:32 AM

No condolences needed here. NYC, for all its faults, is still the greatest city on earth.

However, I would sooner take a sledgehammer to my car's fenders than park it on the street. The $550 per month in parking is WELL worth it.

But if you must, set the parking brake. SOP among street parkers is to bash into your bumper and move your car six inches or so in order to fit into a parking spot. This can damage the drivetrain if you leave it in gear.

kqw · 12-09-2004, 11:41 AM

I must agree that New York is the greatest city. However, the protocol for parking, driving is a bit different than in other areas of the country.

In other cities, where auto circumstances/incidents may be considered criminal, in NY it's no big deal.

Other than that...I love NY

svarooom · 12-09-2004, 11:46 AM

Living 'In the city' and Living in the AREA he is asking about are two different beasts. Depending on when you left, My 12 years are recent(1991-03). And I still live and work here. We all know the Horrors of the city(any city) but there is nothing wrong with driving you pride and joy wherever you want to take it. I am just saying the area he is going to easy and not a bad area. Stick w/ the garage I posted.

Steve

IanW505 · IanW505's Garage

Thanks Steve, i think that sounds like the best idea so far. Amtrak is a good idea, but the point of the trip is not so much to visit as for her to get a ride back to Philly for the winter. Amtrak is a little expensive for that

$20 is no problem for an overnight spot in a nice parking garage. Thanks to all!

-Ian

gaijinda · 12-09-2004, 11:57 AM

I say split the baby in half. Park in Tribeca - a short walk to Little Italy, but put it in a garage/open lot. Considering the cost of the trip, you do not need the agro of worrying about the P-Car. Cheaper over there anyway.

Traffic is a drag that time of year, best to arrive/leave during non-commuting hours. While you are here - cab it, walk and use the subway. The best way around NYC.

adamred · adamred's Garage

If your 911 is lowered be very careful leaving the lots. They often drop off severly from sidewalk level to street...see the damage below after leaving a typical NYC parking garage....

Adam