I am rather paranoid whenever I have to park my roadster somewhere other than in my garage. Normally I try to avoid taking it and opt for taking my wife’s car. But sometimes it cannot be avoided and the ZR is at the mercy of all of those who don’t give a crap about their cars, let alone mine. So I thought it might be helpful for people to post here some of their parking strategies when they are forced to park their Z in a public parking lot. Here are a few of mine; some of them are no brainers:

• Get some exercise, park at the farthest part of the lot where few people park.
• Park next to a handicap spot. They are wider and rarely used.
• Park next to a four door car.
• Park next to a compact car.
• Park next to a four door compact car.
• Park on the passenger side of the car next to you.
• Do not park in a spot marked “compact.” They are designed for cars the size of ours, but invariably a Ford Excursion will squeeze into the one next to you.
• Park at the last stall in the row. It will decrease the chances of your door getting dinged by 50%.
• Park next to an equally (or higher) valuable sports car.
• Park next to a motorcycle.
• Use a car cover (minimal protection, but protection none the less).
• Avoid parking next to a car when you see kids getting out.

That is all I can think of at the moment. Please share yours.

 

THANK GOD you didn't mention taking up two spots. You can still smell the smoke from the last guy that suggested this. I have nearly $15k invested in my TT and still have no problems parking up front. I do try to avoid parking next to the car that is nearly rusting apart however. If it looks like it's not taken care of very well, i'm sure they couldn't give a **** less if they gave me a door ding or two. Bastards.


Your parking in the last spot doesn't always work either. You run the risk of someone turning to sharp and hitting your corner. Around here, people drive BIG trucks and side swipe everything in their path.

 

I think all this can be chalked up as common sense....I for one never park far away from everyone because I think it makes you a target. Kids think that they can get away with ****ing up a car that is off by itself on the other side of the lot .

 

At work I park in the last stall by the stairs. I park it a little angled though so that my front is sticking out into the no-parking area away from the parking spot next to me. At this angle, the guy next to me couldn't hit my car even if he opened his door all the way.

Oh, and parking in the furthest spot doesn't work because there is always somebody who parks in the very next spot next to yours

 

+1[*]Get some exercise, park at the farthest part of the lot where few people park.
+1[*]Park next to a handicap spot. They are wider and rarely used.
-1[*]Park next to a four door car.
-1[*]Park next to a compact car.
-1[*]Park next to a four door compact car.
-1[*]Park on the passenger side of the car next to you.
-1[*]Do not park in a spot marked “compact.” They are designed for cars the size of ours, but invariably a Ford Excursion will squeeze into the one next to you.
+1[*]Park at the last stall in the row. It will decrease the chances of your door getting dinged by 50%.
-1[*]Park next to an equally (or higher) valuable sports car.
-1[*]Park next to a motorcycle.
-1(impractical)[*]Use a car cover (minimal protection, but protection none the less).
+++11111[*]Avoid parking next to a car when you see kids getting out

 

park next to a curb, that way at least one side is safe for sure.

park under a light post, (if night time).

park and stay IN the car if you can.

if you're forced to park in between cars, park nearer to the nicer car.

park where you can see the car (if possible)

NEVER valet park the car....if you want to show it off, drive through the valet and park it yourself.

take license plates numbers/pictures if forced to parked in between crappy cars, or close proximities...

bring a b.b. gun in the store just in case you come outside and find that someone is IN THE ACT of tampering with your car...

that's all i got for now....

 

park between the lines...

 

You could also do what I am thinking about doing. Get yourself a $1,400 anti-ding device!


http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/car/268409699.html



Actually, I was thinking about buying a hooptie because I am going back to college and I know that there are too many people at schools who don't have respect for other people's cars. With the parking all screwed up at Cal State Long Beach, I'll probably be better off spending $1,400 on a hooptie that will be sitting in the parking lot all day instead of eventually paying $1,000 for dent removal at the body shop.

 

+1 When I get my 07, the GSR will be the hooptie. Fun to drive hooptie at that. CANT WAIT!

 

I never put so much thought into parking. You should be a parking engineer or something.

 

No matter were you park you will be getting a door ding sometime... Cant let it bother you. Rember its a Z not a lambo!!!

 

pessimist...lol. i'm ding free (knocks on wood)...but i do have a beater...

 

Don't be a princess...

Get some exercise, park at the farthest part of the lot where few people park.

 

Well, according to my neighbors, my Z is a Porshe

 

Parking By Design:
http://www.parkingbydesign.com/parkingframeset.html

 

I just park out in the open , if i have to park next to someone i always pick a car i believe the owner would take care of.

 

+1k
At least now I know I'm not alone.

-LamaZ

 

I followed most of these and STILL got a ding on my door. I wanted to cry when i saw it the first time . Now every time i wash my car i linger near the dent and cant help but want to strangle whoever did it .

I religiously just follow parking in no man's land next to a curb so only one side is exposed.

 

1- Buy insurance

2- Pay insurance

3- Drive your car like it's a car, not your first born child!

 

find some1 that's handicapped, and buy their handicapped sticker....
i worry so much less now