Where to park?

[RazorRacer]

I took two spaces at the farthest place to park in a fairly crowded, but plenty of spaces available, parking lot today. This is the note someone left on my windshield:

"Your narcisism is not evenly distributed! Good we all aren't so selfish."

Don't people understand what a door ding will do to me?

[ras911]

Nobody likes people who take two spaces. Parking lots fill up and people get pissed no matter what kind of car you have. Take a corner spot and tuck in close to the curb .

[emcon5]

Generally, the first open spot I come to.

It's a 20 year old car, if it gets a door ding, it gets a door ding.

Tom

[jyl]

I look for an end space, preferably on the passenger side of the adjacent car (since most cars are not carrying passengers) and park as far over as possible.

Sometimes driving a little further forward or backward in the space can put the adjacent car's door in a less threatening position relative to my door.

I also carry a magnetic door protector strip, that I stick on if things look tight. Takes no time at all.

But I never take up two spaces. It pisses people off, rightfully I think, and you're just going to get "keyed" eventually. IMO.

[David McLaughlin]

two spots can irritate people, but if there's no one neer by, why bother and why bother get irritated by it?

On a similar note, while trying to park at a crowded amsusment park yesterday, I noticed a full sized duelly pick up took not two, but FOUR!!!!! spots in the second and first few rows. Now that is irritating.

[widebody911]

I learned my lesson a few years ago. At the local sand volleyball courts, there was no 'formal' parking designation, but the tradition was cars pulled straight in. I decided I was cool and would park askance. These two guys who were trin brothers thought they were even cooler, and each parked bis big a$$ construction truck on either side of me, boxing me in. I couldn't leave until they felt damn good and ready to go home.

There's a lady at my work that always parks catywampus. I don't think it's ego or anything, I think she legitimately doesn't know how to park. Her Aerostar is full of scrapes along the sides, and she always seems to end up in the middle of 4 different spaces.

[pwd72s]

Locked garage or keep it moving...otherwise, you WILL get door dings...

[widebody911]

Hah! I've put door dings in my own car in my own garage, with the door closed, even!

Originally posted by pwd72s
Locked garage or keep it moving...otherwise, you WILL get door dings...

[Milu]

As well as all the above ideas it's worth looking at what car you're parking next to.

Classic cars = good, suburban mum vehicle = bad.

[epbrown]

Exactly - I used to wonder why all the Porsches in my office's parking garage ended up next to each other, but I finally got it: the only people that aren't going to ding you are other Porsche owners.

Emanuel

[Victor]

I try to take the family sedan as often as possible if the destination is likely to involve low grade/cramped parking facilities.

Soon, I hope to trade the beater for a "SUPER BEATER". - Subaru WRX. Developed in Rallye conditions to be beaten apart in shopping centre and creche car parks around the globe.

[Doug E]

End spot next to curbing tucked in tight works for me.

I agree that by taking two spots eventually some a$$wipe will key the car.

[Tinton]

Taking up two spaces can only bring more harm to your car I think. Anyone remember the seinfeld episode when George spots a 500sl taking up two and desides that he should spit on it? Best thing to do is park close to the post of the carpark.

[Victor]

Is that the same Sinfeld episode where George decides to take the handicapped space?

[A Quiet Boom]

Just park as far away as possible, next to a curb or something. Most people in this world spend so much time worrying about what others are doing that they can't take care of their own troubles, hence the jerk who left the note. I also find that if I wait and park right out front that my car gets left alone as well. At work we all sorta picked our own places one day, I picked a spot on the gravel right next to the building where no one else could park anywhere near me, a co-worker noticed this and made some comment about "over-protective". I had a good laugh explaining that I picked the only spot in the lot that's in the shade from 1:00PM on meaning I don't have to get into a hot car at the end of the day. Now they all want my spot, aww too bad hehehe! Never ever park next to a "soccer mom" vehicle though bad mysterious things happen when you do this, sometimes I think our little cars get scared and start leaking because of the evil soccer moms

[cegerer]

"This is the note someone left on my windshield: ...."

It's amazing to me that people actually have the time, anger, and jealousy to write a note! But it's reality. There're alot of very unhappy, unproductive people wandering around this world.

The PO (and original owner) of my car took it to a shopping mall in 1994. Very few cars there that day. Even so, he decided not to chance anything and parked it way, way out in one of the overflow lots. Not a car within 200 yards. Bright sunny day. Came out about an hour later to find a single key-scratch to bare metal on every body panel. This was the original mint condition 23-year old paint.

Bottom Line: Paul's advice is the only failsafe method. -- Curt

[RazorRacer]

I think I understand now about upsetting other people. Does P-Parts sell those magnetic strips?

Thanks for your kind replys.

[Bill Douglas]

Sorry Mate, but I think you're mad taking up two parks. I don't think my car would last five minutes around this place with that attitude. Bill 911 SC with fresh paint

[TedSlick]

Glad to see others out there deal with this dilemma.

Once I parked about 100 ft. from the next car. When I returned, there was a big truck parked not more than 6 inches from my driverside door...so close I thought my car had been stolen because I couldn't see it as I approached. Had to climb over the median from the passenger side just to get into my seat! And I wasn't even taking up more than my single marked stall . Looked pretty ridiculous...two vehicles so close together way out by themselves in the lot.

Often I'll just park out on the street, beyond the lot, if possible. Car gets a little more dusty from the road traffic, but I've never gotten a ding that way. At least a-holes in big trucks can't get their kicks parking slam against you just to piss you off.

And then sometimes I'll just take my lesser car.

[rstoll]

This is what they make Volvos for.