to valet or not to valet, that is the question.

[canamfan]

Never, ever, not even with my winter beater, it's a personal item/environment, why would I ever trust a stranger in there without my supervision??

[shadowjack1]

Never have never will. I did let the guy at safelite auto glass drive from the front parking lot to the rear to install the glass, about 75 feet. Never installed the glass, another story. GOt in the car, the shifter was as sloppy as could be. Not his fault, the bushing just gave way with hin at the wheel. The bushing was 25 years old and it's time was up. Still I was PO.

[Chuck.H]

I'm of the same opinion, Hell NO! But let's think about this - why are our cars so freakin fragile that nobody can be trusted with them? Even with my G50 I don't let people drive it because I'm afraid they will manhandle the shifter. But a trans that can go behind a turbo motor should be stronger IMHO...

In my Jeep transmission I swear you could dump a bunch of rocks in the top and a month later drain sand out the bottom, no harm done.

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 343k miles

[Quickstep192]

I almost never valet for the reasons you guys mention, but mostly because I hate waiting for them to bring the car when I'm ready to leave.

[MConn]

Don't forget about the Seinfeld valet -

Seinfeld - The Car Stinks - YouTube

[86 911 Targa]

As per 80-911SC, I give the valet a nice tip, and park the car myself.

Also, have a look at this:

Rockstar Parking - YouTube

Merry Christmas to all......

Gerry

[David]

As a former valet, I wouldn't valet any car I really care about.

Now that I'm single, I've been valeting my truck a lot more lately. That's also one of the deciding factors in my next car purchase. I would never valet my 997 and probably wouldn't if I got another one. I don't think I'd worry as much about a Cayman though so guess what's on my radar

[yazhound]

As a former owner / manager of a valet service that parked for two restaurants in Destin FL, my opinion is yes valet. But that is only based on our track record and the way we handled high end cars. Generally we parked them up front where we could keep an eye on them, even if it entailed moving others out. As the majority of our lots were located across a very busy four lane, this kept em safe and resulted for much quicker ingress/egress for customer. My friend and I ran the services for four very busy years and no accidents, locked keys, or complaints. .... as for the rest, cannot comment.

[Hnichols]

Sometimes you have little choice: this summer I was passing through NYC, had the hotel park the car. I don't think you can park the car yourself in the garages in Manhattan, and parking on the street carries its own risks.
I was very reluctant to surrender the keys, but in the end all was OK.

[mrm930]

Only at high end events - but I still have to explain how to start the car. The M5 is alittle different to start up.

[manbridge 74]

I like to get my exercise if there is safe parking elsewhere.

But I think elevators are for old people. YMMV.

[tazzieman]

In Tasmania you have to show prowess at the license test practical in a manual car if you want to be legally able to drive a car with a manual gearshift. I guess that's not the case in the USA?
Apart from the fact that our gearboxes are a little cantankerous to the unwary or inexperienced.

[aoncurly]

I had a valet park my Porsche only once, and the one time I did, the valet parked my car close to an adjacent car which of course opened their door and dented my rear quarter panel. Right in front of me.

Never had a valet touch my Porsche since.....

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by tazzieman

In Tasmania you have to show prowess at the license test practical in a manual car if you want to be legally able to drive a car with a manual gearshift. I guess that's not the case in the USA?
Apart from the fact that our gearboxes are a little cantankerous to the unwary or inexperienced.

I think you are spot on!!!!

Drinking and Driving...........

Only an Aussie could pull this one off!

A true story from Mount Isa in Queensland.
Recently a routine Police patrol car parked outside a local neighbourhood pub. Late in the evening the officer noticed a man (Luke Sandery) leaving the bar so intoxicated that he could barely walk.

The man stumbled around the car park for a few minutes, with the officer quietly observing. After what seemed an eternity and trying his keys on five vehicles. The man managed to find his car, which he fell into. He was there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off. Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off (it was a fine dry night). Then flicked the indicators on, then off, tooted the horn and then switched on the lights.

He moved the vehicle forward a few metres, reversed a little and then remained stationary for a few more minutes as some more vehicles left. At last he pulled out of the car park and started to drive slowly down the road. The Police officer, having patiently waited all this time, now started up the patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and carried out a random breathalyser test.

To his amazement the breathalyser indicated no evidence of the man's intoxication.

The Police officer said "I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the Police station - this breathalyser equipment must be broken."

"I doubt it," said the man, "tonight I'm the designated decoy".


Cheers,

Gerry

[monovich]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is so particular about the 915 that the uninitiated can't be trusted with it? I haven't had any trouble with mine and my wife has gotten along fine the few dozen times she has driven it.

[SpeedracerIndy]

Timely post.

Here in Indianapolis just this weekend we had a valet incident. Indianapolis Colts player Reggie Wayne decided to valet his Bentley at a place that routinely deals with high end cars. One of the valets took the Bentley and decided to go for a joy ride, have a few beers and not return the car. They caught him drunk early the next morning. Not sure if there was any damage to the car. Hope the kid at least got laid because he's in some serious trouble now.

To answer the original question. He!! No I wouldn't ever valet my 911, let alone any of my other cars that I care about. I have a friend who runs a valet company and I've heard some scary stories.

[OttoB]

This is a weekly point of contention between my wife and I... We usually take my 965 when we do go out, but the caveat is the place(s) we go to will only offer valet, or else, go you crazy trying to find a spot yourself (which I never mind, but she thinks I overreact and/or being cheap). But with her always wearing heels - and now preggers - its a losing battle even though I had an expensive pair of sunglasses picked out of it by one valet, which of course I only found out the day after... However, I am very particular about my car for all the reasons above and cringe EVERY time I hand the keys over. As a matter of fact, due to some insurance policies, they won't let you park your own car in their lot either, so it becomes a catch 22 and sucks royally. I don't know what to do, other than take another car out and make sure, now standard, that nothing is left behind for the taking. But, did I already mention it s-u-c-k-s?!?!

[fxeditor]

Originally Posted by SpeedracerIndy

Timely post.

Here in Indianapolis just this weekend we had a valet incident. Indianapolis Colts player Reggie Wayne decided to valet his Bentley at a place that routinely deals with high end cars. One of the valets took the Bentley and decided to go for a joy ride, have a few beers and not return the car. They caught him drunk early the next morning. Not sure if there was any damage to the car. Hope the kid at least got laid because he's in some serious trouble now.

To answer the original question. He!! No I wouldn't ever valet my 911, let alone any of my other cars that I care about. I have a friend who runs a valet company and I've heard some scary stories.

Here's a link to the article:

Valet Named Gordon Belcher Arrested For Drunkenly Joyriding In Reggie Wayne's Bentley

[Danny_Ocean]

Originally Posted by tazzieman

I guess that's not the case in the USA?

OMG. That's funny.

US Driver's License Test (at least here in Florida):

1) Are you alive? Y/N
2) Can you see (somewhat)? Y/N
3) Do you have $35? Y/N

Yes to all? Pass.

[Dirty Marty]

Think about it.......

You've usually got some young testosterone ridden buck that's been parking Bimmers, Mercedes and Lexus and SUVs all shift and he's probably bored and tired from running back and forth to the auxilliary lot.......

You drive up in a hot Porsche and give him your car. If you're lucky he knows how to handle a manual transmission let alone a 6 speed pattern. He experiences the rush of "There is no substitute" and decides to take an extra lap around the lot to beat the time that he set with the Corvette Z06 he parked the other night when all of a sudden the infamous Porsche oversteer/understeer/oversteer kicks in and they page you to the manager's desk to explain that your car is now perched on a parking island with its under carraige very bent.

It really happened to a a friend of mine in Palm Springs.

NEVER VALET.