So, how do YOU park?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
My only criteria for a parking spot is it being the closest to the door. 
I park all the Corvettes I've owned the same way I park my wife's Suburban. In 12 years of parking that way i've had one door ding (chip), and I got to see that one happen (a 90+ year old disabled guy opened his door and it got away from him in the wind... meh, it happens.)
If you park between two newish SUVs:
1. They probably don't want to hurt their cars either and
2. You are invisible to all the haters that go out of their way to mess with your car if they see it out in the South 40.
I park all the Corvettes I've owned the same way I park my wife's Suburban. In 12 years of parking that way i've had one door ding (chip), and I got to see that one happen (a 90+ year old disabled guy opened his door and it got away from him in the wind... meh, it happens.)If you park between two newish SUVs:
1. They probably don't want to hurt their cars either and
2. You are invisible to all the haters that go out of their way to mess with your car if they see it out in the South 40.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 2,582
From: Northern VA, USA
I try to talk a space near an island as well, on the "one side to hit" theory. That said, I try to park a good handful of spaces away from the other cars, but not all the way in no-mans land. This way, no one is likely to park next to me, as I'm there are plenty of closer spaces, but I'm not so far out in the middle of no-where that it sticks out like a soar thumb waiting for mischief.
Wife's car has had more door-dings and paint from other cars that I have no intention of parking in the closest spot (I don't in her car either, but she does), plus I could use the walk.
Always just one space.
Wife's car has had more door-dings and paint from other cars that I have no intention of parking in the closest spot (I don't in her car either, but she does), plus I could use the walk.
Always just one space.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,002
Likes: 2,582
From: Northern VA, USA
I try to talk a space near an island as well, on the "one side to hit" theory. That said, I try to park a good handful of spaces away from the other cars, but not all the way in no-mans land. This way, no one is likely to park next to me, as I'm there are plenty of closer spaces, but I'm not so far out in the middle of no-where that it sticks out like a soar thumb waiting for mischief.
Wife's car has had more door-dings and paint from other cars that I have no intention of parking in the closest spot (I don't in her car either, but she does), plus I could use the walk.
Always just one space.
Wife's car has had more door-dings and paint from other cars that I have no intention of parking in the closest spot (I don't in her car either, but she does), plus I could use the walk.
Always just one space.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
From: El Paso TX
I try to talk a space near an island as well, on the "one side to hit" theory. That said, I try to park a good handful of spaces away from the other cars, but not all the way in no-mans land. This way, no one is likely to park next to me, as I'm there are plenty of closer spaces, but I'm not so far out in the middle of no-where that it sticks out like a soar thumb waiting for mischief.
Always just one space.
Always just one space.
Exactly my thought process as well.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 390
Likes: 9
From: Bloomington MN
Back 40 or curb spot.
It is "just a car" but it's my car. I take care of ALL my vehicles the same way. If I can avoid damage by parking smart, I will. I may not back 40 my DD, but I will park away from others if possible.
It is "just a car" but it's my car. I take care of ALL my vehicles the same way. If I can avoid damage by parking smart, I will. I may not back 40 my DD, but I will park away from others if possible.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 171
From: Texas
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Lyndon Kansas
End of the isle or on an upslope of the lot. That way no free rangin shopping carts end up rolling into it. Or, send the wife in and sit in it and enjoy the show. Just because your on a diet doesn't mean you can't look at the menu.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 4
From: Delray Beach Florida
I park like a normal person, Its just a car.
I park as close as possible. I'll park in the 2nd spot between 2 cars go in, shop, and leave before you've made it to the front door from your 100yard park.
No one messes with my car b/c its parked like a normal person would park. Cars that park in the back of the lot get messed with b/c it makes you look snooty and "too good" for regular cars. But at the end of the day, its just a car.
(this is right up there with, "I went for a drive and now I have a rock chip in my front bumper". WELL YEAH, you drove the car on a road)
I park as close as possible. I'll park in the 2nd spot between 2 cars go in, shop, and leave before you've made it to the front door from your 100yard park.
No one messes with my car b/c its parked like a normal person would park. Cars that park in the back of the lot get messed with b/c it makes you look snooty and "too good" for regular cars. But at the end of the day, its just a car.
(this is right up there with, "I went for a drive and now I have a rock chip in my front bumper". WELL YEAH, you drove the car on a road)
Last edited by Tikiman12; Apr 24, 2012 at 05:20 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 7
From: Issaquah WA
I always look for and end space so one side is protected, and a space with no parking in front of the space. That way two sides are protected, and you can park closer to the protected sides so you have a larger buffer on the sides with cars.
And I NEVER back in. I've seen too many Corvettes that have been backed onto... The nose is so low it's practically invisible to anyone who is backing up, even if the driver is paying attention (too often not the case these days).
And I NEVER back in. I've seen too many Corvettes that have been backed onto... The nose is so low it's practically invisible to anyone who is backing up, even if the driver is paying attention (too often not the case these days).
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
as far as possible because the people in my area rest carts up against other cars when they are done - they also back into cars when pulling out of their spots...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 825
Likes: 99
I try to talk a space near an island as well, on the "one side to hit" theory. That said, I try to park a good handful of spaces away from the other cars, but not all the way in no-mans land. This way, no one is likely to park next to me, as I'm there are plenty of closer spaces, but I'm not so far out in the middle of no-where that it sticks out like a soar thumb waiting for mischief.
Wife's car has had more door-dings and paint from other cars that I have no intention of parking in the closest spot (I don't in her car either, but she does), plus I could use the walk.
Always just one space.
Wife's car has had more door-dings and paint from other cars that I have no intention of parking in the closest spot (I don't in her car either, but she does), plus I could use the walk.
Always just one space.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 825
Likes: 99
I park like a normal person, Its just a car.
I park as close as possible. I'll park in the 2nd spot between 2 cars go in, shop, and leave before you've made it to the front door from your 100yard park.
No one messes with my car b/c its parked like a normal person would park. Cars that park in the back of the lot get messed with b/c it makes you look snooty and "too good" for regular cars. But at the end of the day, its just a car.
(this is right up there with, "I went for a drive and now I have a rock chip in my front bumper". WELL YEAH, you drove the car on a road)
I park as close as possible. I'll park in the 2nd spot between 2 cars go in, shop, and leave before you've made it to the front door from your 100yard park.
No one messes with my car b/c its parked like a normal person would park. Cars that park in the back of the lot get messed with b/c it makes you look snooty and "too good" for regular cars. But at the end of the day, its just a car.
(this is right up there with, "I went for a drive and now I have a rock chip in my front bumper". WELL YEAH, you drove the car on a road)
I think it's certainly the exception for someone to take the time to walk to a care parked far and away with specific intent to inflict damage. People are to busy to care.
So if you park carefully you'll go without dings due to carelessness. My wife parks her DD close and it is riddled with scratches, scuffs and dings. My DD is older and flawless because i generally park away from the pack and choose spots that protect one or two spots. Besides I think it's faster to find a open slot in the back 40 and walk vs looking for the closest spot.
I never take more than one spot.