I'm 2 weeks into owning my ZR, and I took my wife out to a 5-star restaurant here in SoCal. The valet "boys" were so excited, hopping all around the car so as I exit the vehicle I say:

"After you're done parking it, make sure you return the keys to my table".

Dick move, or not?

They looked a little perturbed, and when my keys were walked in the valet said "Sir, we keep the keys stored in a locked box, just for future reference". I told him I know how valet service works, it's just that I don't know him or his co-workers personally.

What do you think? Would you be willing to fork over your keys on good faith to a bunch of 20-somethings? I'm sure they aren't given free reign to go joyriding, but the car is very hot right now and I'm not taking any chances.

 

Hell no, would i ever let those valet dudes drive my car. my supervisor got his corvette messed up by a valet dude.

 

I don't think it was a dick move at all.

Couple things else you could do if you are worried.

1. Remember the milage. Write it down on your coat check or some other item.

2. Set the REV limiter to something low so they can't take it joyriding.

 

I usually park it myself in one of their upfront valet spots, pocket my keys and then tip them generously for "renting" the spot. It also prevents me from having to wait in a long line to get my keys when the event lets out.
It's free money to them as they did no work for it and they tend to look after the car and what not.

 

Good idea. When I next come to that situation, I'll know what to do.

 

As a valet supervisor I would say that's probably not the best thing to say. You don't wanna insult the person that's about to get into your car and park it. As for having to give up your keys and let them park your car you have to remember they probablt have at least 10 other cars in their possesion that are worth more than a Z. One lady wanted to park her car right on the front drive of the hotel and go inside for dinner. I told her that's not possible. (Can't "rent" out the front spots @ my hotel, really sucks) She proceded to tell me all about her 01 Corvette. After listening to her rambling I said look I've a Ferrari down in the lot that I'm responsible for that is worth about 5 of your cars so either you can park your car, I'll park the car or I can have it towed. Then she gave me her keys. My suggestion is to rent a spot up front if you can. Usually costs about $20.

 

If they object, just lie and say your first car was damaged after a valet drove it into a telephone poll


Oh yeah, a valet at a university club dinner event drove a SL500, through a downsloaped one lane with cars parked on both sides, at more than 45 mph while students were walking back from class, backwards!!

All the while another SL500 was chasing it.

 

How is asking for the keys dropped off insulting him? I wasn't giving him any attitude or anything, just deliver the keys when you're done.

On the other hand, I don't know how you are still employed if you tell customers that you're towing their cars. Maybe the hotel gets enough business they can afford that kind of customer service. If so, hats off.

 

Because unless you want to make sweet sweet love with your car keys, the only reason you would ask for it's return is you don't trust them. Not that I blame you. (and yes, not all valets are bad)

 

you dont really wanna do anything that would give them an idea of you not trusting them...

but this is what i do if i have to valet... or let any one else have my car ie shop etc...

turn the clock function on the on board computer to the one where it shows time driving / milage... as long as the car is ON it will keep the time going and milage by mile... etc...

 

Well... My one and ONLY EVER valet parking experience cost about $500. when they parked the car and bent the side view out thus chiping the mirror on some tree or bush. This at a cancer doctors office! Would I ever let anyone park my car agian? NO. Do I care like ZU L8R thinks I should, as I didn't pay as much as others for my Baby, NO. This is my Baby. This is my joy in recovering from cancer. I really don't care a hoot what the stats are for Valet parking. My first inpression! It's not for me. I'll park it myself and take the keys! Thanks but no thanks! No offensive to anyone...

 

So let's say you get back from your dinner and there's 50 miles on the computer, burnt crutch, and smell of pizza in your car. What are you going to do?

I'd just make a fake phone call asking Lojack to monitor your car movement

edit: scrap that idea, valet probably driven cars enough to know no such thing exist

 

You cannot "set" the rev limiter. This is only done with a Consult (nissan diag unit).
Only thing you can do is set when the little flashy thingy lights up.

And I NEVER valet if i cant get a spot up ft. If there is one available it usually costs between $10-$20 and IMO worth it if your parking next to H2's and 911's
Ive never been a valet but i used to be a porter/lot attendant at a car dealership (@ nissan as a matter of fact) and we used to RAG THE CRAP out of our customer cars. DONT TRUST ANYONE WITH YOUR Z!

 

This really makes me feel good....

 

I always wondered if there was something I could add on to my 300zx to limit the RPM's (to something like 2000..hehe) when I hand the keys over to some schmuk for one of the above reasons. When I get the 350, I'll be even more ****. Anyone know of an affordable aftermarket rev limiter for the Z, or is there no such thing? (besides a multi-thousand dollar Consult tool)

 

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It's a given after you park a car you turn keys in. So your kinda telling him how to do their job. If this didn't happen you would have 10 differnet valet guys all have different sets of keys, so when you come back to get your car you'd have to figure out which one of the 10 guys have your keys. Most place have a # board set up with corresponding # on the tickets you receive. As for towing cars, I have a green light from the GM of the hotel to tow anyone @ my discretion. That doens't mean I tow people just to do it. The front drive is also a firelane, another reason people can't park there. I think I've only done it twice in 3.5 years. As for the business of the hotel, were the busiest in Florida.

The trip odometer is a great thing to do. I see people do it all the time and reccomend it to everyone.

For the record guys, I'd NEVER valet my car either.

 

Never valet.

 

Have only used valet once at a hotel in LA. Didnt think twice as they were very professional. If your parinoid, try setting the trip to zero so ya know if they take it out for a ride.

 

couldnt they do the same once they were done riding? Seems writing down mileage is the best idea so far.

 

...It's Kind of funny, I’m in college, and I valet every now and then..

Its like this with me, I ALWAYS, no matter what urban legend says, respect others vehicles as if they were my own...

However, I can attest to the fact that others may not (...I've seen some ****...)

The fact is valet is safe *if* you play the game, Hand the keys to the valet, and hand him a $10 or $20 (going rate around here) and simply say "Take care of her, and there will be more where that came from"

Valet's are usually pretty slick guys, and will go WAY (I can attest to this as well), and I mean, WAY out of there way to protect and take care of your car

At a local country club I worked at, A Young gentlemen handed my the keys to his M5, and a $100, because he had no choice but to let us valet his car, and was very polite in asking me to please be extremely carefull with his baby.

I took the liberty of making damn sure NOTHING happened to his car, we moved another car, parked this one in the closest spot, and actually ended up having two of the valets "stand guard" all night, and, as per his request, he got his car back without even .1 Miles on it, he attempted to hand me another $20, But I told him it wasn’t necessary, and assured him that on my word his car was exactly as it was when he arrived.

Number one rule for a valet:

Money talks.