Parking Lot Strategies...

[Tt3Sheppard]

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.

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.

I've parked near other vehicles probably a total of 10 times besides my driveway. 3 of those times I was hit...

[Teseo]

I use handicap spot, i have a false carnet for it. Some people surprised when i get out
the car and see a man in his early 30's. Police dont give a crap and me also

[Mr.Impreza]

I think sometimes when you park your car far away and someone parks beside you, it's most because they know you care about your car as they do also and know you won't hit the car.

I generally try to park beside curbs, or nice cars. Don't really care too much though, I have some door dings on my Subaru and they don't bother me.

I'm more worried about someone hitting my car in the parking lot when they leave the spot or enter.
Also salt...that's why mine sleeps in the winter

[Campo]

Originally Posted by Demandred7

I seem to get a disproportionate number large trucks parking beside me and sometimes almost too close to even get in my car without some sort of weird yoga like move. Pretty sure they just don't care about anyone but themselves (or don't know the size of their vehicle), but, it certainly gives the appearance of douchebaggery (real or not).

I've actually come to expect some bro-dozer parked beside me every time I park despite having numerous other spots available.

That made me laugh out loud more than it should have for some reason. My wife drives a lifted Tundra bro-dozer, but she's one of the best parkers I know regardless of gender.

As far as door dings, I'm 50/50 with the consensus so far.

I always park against a curb to limit the possibilities to 50%, but I drive the car like I stole it, and don't stress if something happens on the track or on the road.

I guess it comes down to this for me - If I screw up my car by driving it, that's my fault and I am responsible for it myself. If someone else dings my door, there's not much I can do or say about it, and it's out of my control.

I just realized I am apparently a control freak.

[robr]

I bring chalk and make my own spot.

[tennisfreak]

So here is how I have kept my car safe and "ding" free:

1. Always, ALWAYS, park in a space where it is the end of the row and there is some structure (island, curb, wall, etc..) making it so only 1 person can park next to you.
2. In that space park as close to the structure as humanly possible leaving maximum room for the space next to your car where someone can park
3. If the lot is not flat ALWAYS park where the open space next to your car is on the downward slope. Gravity is your friend and it will keep doors from easily swinging open onto your car.
4. Do not park in "convenient" places. This is an art but people tend to park where it is convenient. Easy to get in and out of the parking lot, easy to get in and out of store, far out away from everyone else. Try to look for those inconvenient spots where you think someone would not want to park because it would be a PITA.
5. If it is windy outside ALWAYS park in a spot that will force the person next to you to open their door INTO THE WIND. This will keep the wind from grabbing their door and swinging it into your car on accident.

Oh and just in case someone "dings" my door I keep one of these in my car:

This let me remove the valve stem cores from the asshats side of the car. I place the cap and the core right next to the tire so they know the tire is not slashed but hopefully get a very clear message

[billyk]

Originally Posted by tennisfreak

So here is how I have kept my car safe and "ding" free:

1. Always, ALWAYS, park in a space where it is the end of the row and there is some structure (island, curb, wall, etc..) making it so only 1 person can park next to you.
2. In that space park as close to the structure as humanly possible leaving maximum room for the space next to your car where someone can park
3. If the lot is not flat ALWAYS park where the open space next to your car is on the downward slope. Gravity is your friend and it will keep doors from easily swinging open onto your car.
4. Do not park in "convenient" places. This is an art but people tend to park where it is convenient. Easy to get in and out of the parking lot, easy to get in and out of store, far out away from everyone else. Try to look for those inconvenient spots where you think someone would not want to park because it would be a PITA.
5. If it is windy outside ALWAYS park in a spot that will force the person next to you to open their door INTO THE WIND. This will keep the wind from grabbing their door and swinging it into your car on accident.

Oh and just in case someone "dings" my door I keep one of these in my car:

This let me remove the valve stem cores from the asshats side of the car. I place the cap and the core right next to the tire so they know the tire is not slashed but hopefully get a very clear message

Yikes!
You are hard-core, man.

At work, I park way, way, way out at the end of a very large parking lot. It's good for keeping the car ding-free, but mostly because it's a great hike to build into my day, twice a day.

[luelanski]

If you wanna beat the assholes, you have to become one.

Take up two spots right near the entrance of the facility, preferably at the end of a parking row. As an alternative, you can get 4-5 shopping carts and place them in the spot next to you. 95% of people will just look for another spot.

Park near the entrance of the facility because people are more careful if they think they're being watched. Usually there are more people/cameras near the entrances.

If you''re gonna be less than 10 mins, leave your parking lights on. They'll think you're inside and they'll be more careful. (window tints are helpful)

When you can't do any of the above, keep a folded cardboard box in the trunk. Unfold it and place it right near your door. That way, your car is protected from any swinging doors of cars that park next to you.

I have a rear bumper guard that hangs from my trunk and a rubber front license plate holder that sticks out about 2 inches. I wish I wouldn't need to have these things, but in NYC, they are necessary.

The above has kept my car ding free thus far. However, bicyclists are a whole different monster. One day I found a 2" scrape near the bottom of my front bumper which could have only been caused by the pedal of a bicycle.

[Demandred7]

Originally Posted by Campo

That made me laugh out loud more than it should have for some reason. My wife drives a lifted Tundra bro-dozer, but she's one of the best parkers I know regardless of gender.

As far as door dings, I'm 50/50 with the consensus so far.

I always park against a curb to limit the possibilities to 50%, but I drive the car like I stole it, and don't stress if something happens on the track or on the road.

I guess it comes down to this for me - If I screw up my car by driving it, that's my fault and I am responsible for it myself. If someone else dings my door, there's not much I can do or say about it, and it's out of my control.

I just realized I am apparently a control freak.

Short of retaliation, there is little one can do when the inevitable occurs. Fortunately, I know a guy that can take care of dents as long as they haven't broken the paint.

I had a Walmartian in a Pontiac Montana park beside me to get his Big Mac attack in a hurry and dented my passenger side door within the first month of owning my car. My friend did such a good job, I would never be able to tell it ever happened, but, when I discovered it that night, I was so close to retaliation, but, there were way too many witnesses in a busy mall parking lot.

[86geek]

Had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago....Old man parked next to me and there were tons of stalls....when I came out of the store, he had moved his car across the lot and was parked illegally...go figure....I try to park away from others but that won't last...the newbie car will fade after a few yrs... LOL!

[dentalprodigy]

Originally Posted by Demandred7

Short of retaliation, there is little one can do when the inevitable occurs. Fortunately, I know a guy that can take care of dents as long as they haven't broken the paint.

I had a Walmartian in a Pontiac Montana park beside me to get his Big Mac attack in a hurry and dented my passenger side door within the first month of owning my car. My friend did such a good job, I would never be able to tell it ever happened, but, when I discovered it that night, I was so close to retaliation, but, there were way too many witnesses in a busy mall parking lot.

Lol at “walmartian" ... Good one

[humfrz]

I don't seem to have that problem.......


humfrz

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I don't seem to have that problem.......


humfrz

Sorry, wouldn't work for me! That blue handle is a dead give away (as it was meant to be or it could be really embarrassing in combat)

[billyk]

Originally Posted by dentalprodigy

Lol at “walmartian" ... Good one

Agreed...

Two hilarious words I learned in this thread:

"Bro-Dozer"

"Walmartian"

Both are now a permanent part of my vocab - thanks to you guys!