Parking Lot Strategies...

[billyk]

I've owned cars that cost more than my new FR-S, like Acura sports sedans and SUVs. I always park away from the crowd and have done so for decades of owning and caring for nice, clean, new Acuras, Hondas, and VW's. Typically, this has worked out just fine.

But, the FR-S is something else. There is a definite pattern of a**holes parking within inches of this car. Today, I parked at a local supermarket and as usual, I chose a spot in the way-back. There were at least 50 parking spots closer to the entrance of the market and there were no cars within 30 yards of my car. When I came out, you guessed it, the prototypical big, old, rusty, construction contractor truck parked within 12" of my FR-S. Driver's side door facing my car, of course. Just my car and this POS truck way out in the middle of nowhere. On quick inspection all looked good.

When I got home I noticed damage to the paint in the area where that truck's door would have hit. I might be able to rub it out, but it's too damn cold outside today. A job for another day.

So, have others noticed this with their FR-S/BRZs?
Is it just a**holes with POS trucks being a**holes?
Are they actually trying to say something? (I realize they may be non-verbal).

Maybe I have to give up on the "parking away from the crowd" strategy. I seem to be attracting too much attention.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by billyk

I've owned cars that cost more than my new FR-S, like Acura sports sedans and SUVs. I always park away from the crowd and have done so for decades of owning and caring for nice, clean, new Acuras, Hondas, and VW's. Typically, this has worked out just fine.

But, the FR-S is something else. There is a definite pattern of a**holes parking within inches of this car. Today, I parked at a local supermarket and as usual, I chose a spot in the way-back. There were at least 50 parking spots closer to the entrance of the market and there were no cars within 30 yards of my car. When I came out, you guessed it, the prototypical big, old, rusty, construction contractor truck parked within 12" of my FR-S. Driver's side door facing my car, of course. Just my car and this POS truck way out in the middle of nowhere. On quick inspection all looked good.

When I got home I noticed damage to the paint in the area where that truck's door would have hit. I might be able to rub it out, but it's too damn cold outside today. A job for another day.

Have others noticed this?
Is it just a**holes with POS trucks being a**holes? Are they actually trying to say something (they may be non-verbal creatures though).

Maybe I have to give up on the "parking away from the crowd" strategy. I seem to be attracting too much attention.

The non-verbal types will try to say it with actions, by that token if it is intentional then yes, they are.

But for real there's no true set-in-stone strategies when it comes to the wild west that is public parking lots... just a lot of tactics

[DAEMANO]

Never park near a car that is likely to have kids in it.

EVER.

[Braces]

It's a losing proposition regardless of where you park.

[billyk]

Originally Posted by Braces

It's a losing proposition regardless of where you park.

I am coming to this realization.

But, isn't it worse with a FR-S/BRZ?

[Koa]

Originally Posted by billyk

I am coming to this realization.

But, isn't it worse with a FR-S/BRZ?

nope, subjective ownership fear

[Takumi788]

I find myself constantly thinking of new ways to outsmart the annoyance of the door-ding. I found that the general societies mindset is to stay in-between the lines of a parking spot. So find an end spot and park as close to the curb as possible on the passenger side (as long as you dont have a passenger). This way, even the asshat with the rusty pickup that you always find yourself next to, is in between the lines of the next parking spot far away from your car.

Also remember that in order for a car to park next to you, someone had to drive it there, but they may not have a passenger. So park in a spot where they can only hit you with their passenger side door to minimize your chances of the dreadful door-ding.

It's a science.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by billyk

I've... I ... I ... I... I... my ...my... I ... I... I ...I ... I... I seem to be attracting too much attention.

Taking the liberty of showing how many I's and My's you wrote...

Just remember that:

1) this is just a car
2) if you don't want it touched, don't drive it anywhere
3) this is just a car, even the most rare cars will have people parking next to it that don't give a rat's ass about what you think

The sooner you get over this, the more you will enjoy your car.

-alex

[Jake360]

i try to park next to the nicest cars in the lot, hoping that they dont want to hurt their car either.

[billyk]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Taking the liberty of showing how many I's and My's you wrote...

Just remember that:

1) this is just a car
2) if you don't want it touched, don't drive it anywhere
3) this is just a car, even the most rare cars will have people parking next to it that don't give a rat's ass about what you think

The sooner you get over this, the more you will enjoy your car.

-alex

Alex,
You're right.
I wrote that text too fast, it's too long, and I wrote it as soon as I got in from the store, so I was momentarily annoyed.

I am past it. No prob.
(too many "I"s this time too)
-bk

[strat61caster]

I regularly park my POS truck next to nice cars.

It's handily so narrow that I can fit into spaces most people with big fat wide expensive cars think they are safe from neighbors in.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by billyk

I wrote that text too fast, it's too long, and I wrote it as soon as I got in from the store, so I was momentarily annoyed.

Just remember:

You can go out and plan your daily routine all you want, but life will always throw curveballs with you.

If you give up after the first curveball, perhaps a loveable car like the FRS isn't the right car for you.

I thought a bit the same way with all my previous cars, used or new. Even with my BRZ, everything was new and how I liked it.

I went to Streets of Willow on Saturday and one of the cars in front of me dropped two wheels and sandblasted the front of my car. One of the stamped lines in the hood now has a sizeable dent & paint chip in it...

Am I sad that it happened? Sure. But it's not going to be the end of me nor my car, and I shaved 3 seconds off my best time at the track with the BRZ on that day.

-alex

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by billyk

So, have others noticed this with their FR-S/BRZs?

Yep. Last Tuesday:

[lantsalot]

It seriously drives me insane.