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

[Reiver]

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

No, never.

Peter Z. made it very clear in his book.

Some things you don't need a book to tell you, this is one of them

[daleflesburg]

I have never had any of the 911s valet parked. Would ask to park them. When my 914's were street cars, we could not afford to go to places that had valet parking. However, with my Boxster, I promised my wife that I would not act silly and totally anal about the car, like I do with the other P cars. I had a 930 and would not even park it at a mall or a park, and would not take it many places if I had to leave the car unattended. We have had the Boxster valet parked at numerous hotels (Hiltons and Hyatts and other high end city hotels) in Chicago and St Louis. A few expensive restaurants in Chicago and St. Louis. Most of them park much more expensive cars than mine. I have not had a problem, and have received a lot of compliments on the car. Always a compliment from the fellow who brings it to the customer.

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

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.

Sorry ! I forgot the
The only good thing about Taz apart from the glorious empty roads is the absence of smog laws. (And documented cleanest air in the world ). And no MOT's/RWCs. Suck on that , other states of Australia!

[Dottore]

I left my 911 with a valet once. It was a horror show. The guy had never driven a standard, completely fried the clutch and stripped a gear.

I was stupid to leave it with him, but at this restaurant there was no alternative. There were plenty of witnesses, and I took their names. I then threatened legal action against the restaurant.

A couple days later the valet (a young chap from India) shows up at my office, and throws himself at my feet, literally hugging my ankles and begging me not to sue the restaurant because he would then lose his job and have to go back to India where he is supporting many family members yada yada. I didn't think it was an act, and it was heartbreaking, and I ultimately relented and paid for the damage myself.

[DWeg1998]

Took my significant other to a high end restaurant in downtown Chicago shortly after getting my car. Didn't think about the valet drivers other than they regularly drive six figure cars which cost 5 times over mine, so why should I be worried. After dinner and waiting 15 minutes at the curb for my car to return, I was told that they needed to send another valet to get my car to the front of the restaurant as the first one couldn't. I was pissed and told them to give me the keys and walk me to the car. In hindsight, it was pretty much my fault in the first place.

[HawgRyder]

The one time I was asked to have the valet park my car...I was driving a FiberFab Avenger...kit car...twin turbo 1835cc...only 40" tall.
The valet pleaded with me to let him park it.
So...I let him get in...I am 5'8"...he was almost 6 ft...after 3 tries he gave up.
His buddy gets in..5'6" or so....asks how to start the car...I tell him HE can't...only I can (special card on my person locks out everything...ignition, Brakes, and fuel system).
Also...car had paddle shifters...they were less than pleased with me...the drool to drive it was very evident.
Oh well...never went to that building again in that car.
Bob

[azzarule]

Originally Posted by tazzieman

Sorry ! I forgot the
The only good thing about Taz apart from the glorious empty roads is the absence of smog laws. (And documented cleanest air in the world ). And no MOT's/RWCs. Suck on that , other states of Australia!

Hey Tassieman,

I remember back in the day, my sister who had just got her license in Bridport at the local cop shop, came into Launceston for a drive, and to visit me, and she said that she had a lot of people abusing her on the way through the city. I asked what she had been doing, and she said (no joke), "If the light is green in front of me, do I still have to give way to the people on my right at the intersection?"

I laughed so hard I nearly died. Bridport then didn't have any intersections controlled by lights and she didn't know what to do. aaaahhh Tassie, beautiful food, wines, countryside, cheese, driving roads!! I was back there last year in my HSV doing the tour around the west coast, and drove one road back from Queenstown to Mole Creek, man that was the most beautiful driving road I have ever been on, was absolutely fanging around the curves, cambers beautiful on that road, had an absolute blast, would love to do it in one of the 911s. Maybe when we get back. You must go do it.

[midnight911]

that can not be the question.

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by azzarule

I was back there last year in my HSV doing the tour around the west coast, and drove one road back from Queenstown to Mole Creek, man that was the most beautiful driving road I have ever been on, was absolutely fanging around the curves, cambers beautiful on that road, had an absolute blast, would love to do it in one of the 911s. Maybe when we get back. You must go do it.

Done ! - and the Targa Tas drivers get to play the same game each year. We're organising a tour of Tassy with the P car club this year. We may even swap rides - even though not everyone is au fait with the 915 , and certainly not my LHD Frog. There will be no talk of valets either.
Because parking is not exactly an issue , we don't really have valets here - except at the airport. And I don't have air conditioning because it doesn't need "conditioning"

[tirwin]

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?

Dear Eight Pound, Six Ounce, Newborn Baby Jesus, don't even know a word yet, just a little infant, so cuddly, but still omnipotent, how I wish that was true!

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Some things you don't need a book to tell you, this is one of them

That is so true. I would not have trusted the car to a valet before I read Peter's book, but now I have a solid, in-print reason to say "no" that cannot be given the stink-eye from the Mrs.

She is already jealous of my machine.

[cdavidson]

I've actually had valets ask me to self park my car; they admitted to their inability to handle the Porsche clutch and transmission. This made me very happy.

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by tirwin

Dear Eight Pound, Six Ounce, Newborn Baby Jesus, don't even know a word yet, just a little infant, so cuddly, but still omnipotent, how I wish that was true!

You mean , not even anything like this ? http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/49096/road_rules_booklet.pdf

And this?

[whiz05403]

I was a Valet in the mid eighties during college at the Hotel Intercontinental San Diego for a couple of years. The hotel was pretty high end so we saw some very nice cars. I routinely parked 911s, Rolls, Bentleys, Ferraris, etc....

Based on my experience, don't valet your air cooled 911. Too tempting for that valet to mess around with.

I once got a sweet Vette up to 80 MPH just on the way to the lot! Damn near lost control trying to slow down to enter the lot.

A fellow valet scratched the crap out of a Ferrari after he pushed in the clutch while looking for the key hole and the car coasted into the car I was driving by. It was pretty funny. He stood in front of the car while recieving his tip and off the went the scratched up 308.

We even had many nights where we would drink a few too many beers on the job and park all those nice cars. Sometimes our girlfriends would come "visit" us on the job. That is where the Lincolns and vans came in handy.

College was great!! Don't Valet anything!!

[irl]

simple. pull up, offer then 25 bucks to keep it up front and it always works, they usually want a porsche in front anyway.

[aigel]

I would never valet my 993 or any stickshift car for that matter. I would valet my 10 year old SUV with an auto trans, no problem.

A stickshift car can be money-shifted and the clutch can be burnt up. Good luck proving that you had a good clutch or straight valves before the car arrived at the valet.

As far as not being able to park yourself - go find another venue. Or admit that you are loaded and don't worry about it. I haven't eaten anywhere where I need to valet to get in. AAMOF, I enjoy my home cooked meals or a picknick cooking out of the back of my SUV best!

G

[rinverso]

ok i guess thats 95% say no valet. thanks for your expertise, i now tend to agree. merry christmas.

[zippy_gg]

Maybe I am just cheap, but I don't see the need to pay some stranger to park my car a hundred feet from where I am. I also feel it is an invasion of privacy. And then I have to wait in line to get my car back...
Whenever possible I ride my 850lbs Beemer motorcycle and they pretty much let me park it myself...

[CountD]

I kinda have to take the other side on this one...

Not all valets are clowns and goofs - and they are certainly not all teens who know nothing or don't respect the cars they are parking. They certainly aren't negligent here in California.

If you currently own any pre-owned 911 of any vintage (like a 30-year-old SC or a 10 year old 996) it certainly, most positively has had a thrashing by one of the past owners who was negligent or didn't care a bit about the car - past owners who ground gears, didn't change oil, left it outside in the winter, or didn't wash, and the horror show goes on, not to mention mechanics who knew nothing about what they were fixing. Surely a couple hundred feet of parking can't hold a candle to this. Past owners who were horrible owners - if only used 911s could talk....

And you also gotta remember, these things were brought over on a ship, and if you have ever been to the pier in Jersey or Long Beach, you outta see how fast and disrespectful they drive them when they come in - and they are the first miles on the car on this continent...I have been there and seen this...

[JINKATIN]

Can't trust them with my baby. So It's a no for me.