Hey everyone,

I've owned my Z for a month now, and I already got 3 dings from the doors of the people who park next to me! (mall, beach...)

The first time, I did park a bit close to a woman in an SUV (I call those BOARS) but I was within my lines. One would assume that if you're a bit tight, well, you're just gonna squeeze a bit more to enter your car, and be polite enough not to smash your car like a jerk into the one parked next to you. Whether that one drives a flashy red 350 or a beater.

I thought, well, let's leave more space the next time.

Sure enough, an idiot ended up leaving a second mark on my car.


I thought, well, I'm gonna park faaaaar from everyone and find an emptier zone.

Sure enough, someone parks right next to me and hits my car.


What's wrong with people? Do we live in a society of dimwits? Careless unaccountable dimwits? I can't understand how they think, because I can't imagine myself dinging someone else's car with my door. It would have to be a total accident, and that's very unlikely


Any tips welcome.... I don't even know what to do with all those scars on the paint now, and I'm sure more are on their way....

 

How faaar away did you park? If you were indeed way away from the closest car and someone still parked close and dinged your car that will be clearly intentional. But this is a free country and people have the right to park by you no matter how far and isolated your car is.

 

Sure people have the right to park next to me, but I'm just asking for some decency and common sense. Parking spots are getting tinier and tinier as businesses want to pack more cars, and while I do my best to keep some distance, if at one point you can't open your door all the way... then be it. Make an extra effort and don't hit your neighbor just because you feel entitled to opening your door all the way!

I know this thread sounds totally pointless, but really, I'm trying to get some insight into human thought patterns!

 

It seems like many people believe door dings are normal and don't think about it at all. I see people all the time just fling their door open with no mind to what is on the other side. I too park as far away as possible and then of course someone comes and parks right next to me even though there are many open spots with no neighboring cars. A few tips for you of course park away from people and give plenty of space on both sides, park with your passenger side near a curb this allows someone to only park on one side at it will be their passenger door which may not have anyone in it, coupes doors are longer avoid them, park next to cars that look like they are cared for, never park next to cars that appear there may be kids in it or worse a car seat.

 

This has always been annoying for me as well. Some people just don't care and the drivers I have in my area are the worst in some cases. I can suggest one thing although it will be expensive. Install a security system with cameras and rig it up to be 360 degrees. So, rear camera to catch the license plate and the side cameras to record if the doors are hit. It is an expensive option but really just about the only option. These systems can be rigged to record off of motion detection. I think it could be your best bet in catching people doing this and being able to contact them for insurance reasons. Good luck!

 

if your car looks like a POS people are going to be less likely to care about it. just tape pool noodles to your door... problem solved

 

I was just thinking the same thing when I was at the store yesterday. I always park between the lines. Yesterday I was parked and this dude in a big white work van with damage down down the side parked so close he could barely get out. I waited and he didn't bump his door but DAMN----REALLY.
I won't drive a POS looking car but the noodle suggestion will work. Funny!!
OZ

 

I parked on the 5th floor of a parking lot. ( Last 3 floors are always empty). sure enough some windowlicker parks next to me and dings my door.

I swear I could murder someone....

 

You may have to adopt the same tactics I use: park way out in the toolies where nobody wants to walk. If that's not possible, look for the parking slots on the end of the row that allows only one car to park next to you. And yes, we DO live in a society of dimwits who could care less about their cars, much less your Z!

 

I actually caught someone a month ago leave a nice dong in my daily, their insurance had to pay $590 to fix my door

 

I just stopped worrying about it. My first door ding was when I parked far way. Not to long ago i got my car repainted. a month later someone dinked the door at work. Meh. Oh well.

 

Welcome to the club. At last count I was up to about 8 on both doors.
One time a guy dinged my car while I WAS SITTING IN IT.

I got out and chased him but lost him in the parking lot. [dress shoes] So every time I saw his car, I'd spit on his windows. Petty, I know but it made me feel better until a break in forced me to choose a better parking facility.

 

lol

Wait for them to come back and demand insurance info, or tuck your tail and drive away like a coward.

 

That's a first..

 

this is why the z never gets parked in a public parking lot around where I live, it would be full of dings and scratches. I have had 2 really nice show cars get dinged in the past and the police here really could care less, the answer they gave to me after I asked who was going to be held responsible was you have insurance don't you, they will fix it for you. my insurance that will most likely raise my rates and go on my record for years.

most recently wife and I in the dd titan went to local store to look at flowers for a friends grave I parked in the last stall so only 1 car could park by the driver side of the truck, come out of the store to find a car parked in front of me with their cart sitting on the front bumper of my truck as two very ghetto girls are going back and forth about someone calling the cops on them for leaving there kid in the car while going into the store. I walked to the front of my truck took the cart and pushed it into the lane to leave the lot, chick starts going off on me I proceed to look at my bumper to check for damage. after she stops on her rant I look at her and said you are lucky you did not put a single ding or dent in my truck or the cops would be back here fileing a report and your insurance paying for the damage's she replies for what I said you left your cart on the bumper of my truck she replies its a truck who cares, I said maybe we should call the cops and see if they care or how about I take my size 11 and kick the sh#t out of your door cause you drive a beater and who cares right? she replies well that is not the same thing, I replied with maybe next time watch what the hell your doing and try to respect someone else sh@t that is worth something and remember karma is a bi#ch. as we pull out of the store my wife goes that bi$ch is lucky that was not the z, I would of beat her ***. I just smiled and gave her the ok honey.

 

My wife would straight up punch a chick in the throat if she dented the Z.

 

Oh wtf that's awesome, but how do you even approach and ask the person for their info in those circumstances without looking ridiculous?

 

I just tell them they hit my car.

If you get confrontational too quick, most will deny it and tell you to fk off. Just stay calm.

I've also had it happen while I was sitting in my car and the person couldn't see me through the tint...

 

My .02-
Park next to someone's pass side. As you are guaranteed the driver's door will get opened. Pass side,mb

 

You could invest in a viper alarm system. I have the viper on mine with a proximity sensor, so i can leave the convertible top down and go into the store Someone sticks their hand in and it goes off. I also got the tilt sensor for wheels as a precautionary. Costs around $500. It has a half mile radius to let me know when my alarm goes off. The newer ones have a better radius. It can be programmed to give warnings also if someone gets close.
And I also try and park by other nice cars when I go places, they are more likely to care.