Parking morons
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant South Carolina
Back in the day.......
Well, back in the day when I was 40+ younger and a fanatical radical on parking lot "deliberance", while nursing my beloved BMW, a ball peen hammer did the trick for those "door dingers". There are lots of other tricks too like removing a tire stem valve, or ice picking a side wall. I have calmed down due to aging like fine wine. Parking correctly is part of the privilege of driving a vehicle. 
But I do have stickers that I plaster on the back of mothers suv's full of kids that park diagonally in the space and crowd both cars and dive out unabashedly and slam what ever is in sight. My stickers say "I park like an hole in a rear end". A calming retribution that is a real bitch to get off.
Oh well....
But I do have stickers that I plaster on the back of mothers suv's full of kids that park diagonally in the space and crowd both cars and dive out unabashedly and slam what ever is in sight. My stickers say "I park like an hole in a rear end". A calming retribution that is a real bitch to get off.
Oh well....
Last edited by neatwheels; Jun 1, 2014 at 01:42 PM. Reason: sentence structure
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 806
Likes: 190
I empty parking lot thing irks me, but I admit it depends on what's pulled next to me.
If it's a junker I assume it's a jerk looking for attention or trouble.
If it's another sports car I assume it's someone as **** as I am about their car and wanted a parking buddy lol. Better protection in groups!
If it's a junker I assume it's a jerk looking for attention or trouble.
If it's another sports car I assume it's someone as **** as I am about their car and wanted a parking buddy lol. Better protection in groups!
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
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From: CA
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
on a windy day those carts can get up to some super speeds heading downhill. I ALWAYS park on the highest crest in those lots. The fact that we have to isolate the car from all the others puts us at risk of getting whacked by a runaway cart...
Pro
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 642
Likes: 41
From: Between Forest Lake and White Bear Lake in the Land of 10,000+ lakes
I think the reason most people that park next to you in the back forty is only because they want to look at your car. If they park away from your car and walk over to it, it looks like they are up to something instead of just getting out of their car and then taking a look.
Also, people don't seem to want to walk any more than they have too, so it dose not make sense for them to park away from your car if they want to take a look.
Also, people don't seem to want to walk any more than they have too, so it dose not make sense for them to park away from your car if they want to take a look.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
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From: Hurst, TX USA
You all might think I'm crazy... but I always grab a spot right up front with everyone else. I even leave the roof panel off. I have NEVER had a problem. I often come out to people taking pictures of it. But that is about it.
Assume people are decent and they will treat you decently.
Assume they are jerks and park far away... they will be jerks.
Assume people are decent and they will treat you decently.
Assume they are jerks and park far away... they will be jerks.
Safest place IMO is between two newish SUVs so that you can't even be seen until you are right behind it. I've had 8 Corvettes and parked every one as if they were $200 beaters and only once did I get a chip on the door. And I happened to see that one, a handicapped ~80 year old guy let his door get away on a windy day. Accidents happen...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 416
From: hardyston new jersey
St. Jude Donor '09-'25
I actually think it's best park in ways that don't draw much attention. I never take up two spaces and I don't park in a way that looks really isolated. Too many haters in the world today. It's better to just blend in and act like your car is normal. If there are curbs in a parking lot I do normally try to get by one of those so at least only one person can park beside me. I don't get real crazy though.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 33
From: Billings Montana
At least the moron didn't crowd you. I usually park diagonally across two spaces. haven't had anybody mess with me yet.
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I try to find two cars with a space between them and then park there. That way I have two cars that I know are protecting my car. Even if one leaves before I get back out I don't get the people who are trying to mess with the Vette owner who they truly believe is an A Hole because of the way he parks his car out in the boonies. They don't hate them because of the car but the way Vette owners act with the car which is nothing more than another car in their eyes.
Bill
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Sarasota Florida
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Bonita Springs FL
You are on borrowed time my friend. Parking that way is simply pleading for some degree of vandalism. Keep parking that way and it will surely happen.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
I park at the furthest spot in a lot far from any other cars. However I park within the lines so I don't get some folks upset. I rely on the fact that any AH who might want to park close to me is also probably lazy! Also I get more exercise! Figure I lost a hundred pounds over the years - but that just lets me eat more!
So far no problems!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 750
Likes: 297
From: Central MO
To park next to a car that has obviously been parked remotely for a reason is one thing, but to park SO CLOSE that a door cannot be opened ......
Would require a trip back in the store for one or all of the following:
1. Industrial strength paint stripper for application to the other vehicle!
2. Four one inch roof nails strategically placed under each tire!
3. Can of Blaze Orange spray paint ( Phrase "A..hole" ) painted Over Car!
Or buy a baseball bat and stick around for them to come back and have a chat!
I always park far away also but always stay in the lines and try to hug a curb if possible!
Would require a trip back in the store for one or all of the following:
1. Industrial strength paint stripper for application to the other vehicle!
2. Four one inch roof nails strategically placed under each tire!
3. Can of Blaze Orange spray paint ( Phrase "A..hole" ) painted Over Car!
Or buy a baseball bat and stick around for them to come back and have a chat!
I always park far away also but always stay in the lines and try to hug a curb if possible!
Last edited by EVL-C8; Jun 2, 2014 at 09:58 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 103
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From: Glen Burnie Md.
The exact same thing happened to me when my C4 was brand new except the idiot dinged my car. He was the only car within an acre of parking space around and I couldn't believe he parked next to me with the hundreds of empty spaces available. That was in 1988, and I still can't believe it. I'm still apprehensive about parking regardless how far I have to walk and how many football fields of empty spaces are available as there is always that one person that will park right next to you and bang your car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
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From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
The exact same thing happened to me when my C4 was brand new except the idiot dinged my car. He was the only car within an acre of parking space around and I couldn't believe he parked next to me with the hundreds of empty spaces available. That was in 1988, and I still can't believe it. I'm still apprehensive about parking regardless how far I have to walk and how many football fields of empty spaces are available as there is always that one person that will park right next to you and bang your car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,329
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Vettrocious:
For me, this is probably the single most frustrating thing about owning a special car and it is apparently an irrefutable law of nature.
You may take a bit of solace in the fact that this is not exclusive to Vettes...happens with both of my collector Oldsmobiles as well.
Here is what I have learned through the years...you can NEVER take your Vette or other special car on regular errands where it will be exposed to the great unwashed masses. What you experienced will happen almost EVERY time. You MIGHT be able to get away with taking your special car to a high end restaurant, golf club, etc...MIGHT being the operative term...where you are more likely to encounter others who appreciate fine things. But you certainly can never count on it.
Thus, here are your choices...leave your special car home and miss out on many opportunities to drive it (which is what I do) or resign yourself to this experience being a common part of your existence.
Some people do it out of ignorance, but I think more do it just to spite you - not just because you have a special car but because you THINK it is special, made obvious by the fact that you attempted to protect it by parking far away. That is why it is a magnet for the unwashed masses - they are offended by the fact that you THINK you and/or your car are special and they simply cannot allow that to go unchallenged.
It never dawns on these low class a**holes that you worked very hard to EARN the opportunity to own a special car and you are simply trying to protect it...not put anybody down.
If your car escaped undamaged, consider yourself lucky. If I were you, I would not tempt fate too often...
For me, this is probably the single most frustrating thing about owning a special car and it is apparently an irrefutable law of nature.
You may take a bit of solace in the fact that this is not exclusive to Vettes...happens with both of my collector Oldsmobiles as well.
Here is what I have learned through the years...you can NEVER take your Vette or other special car on regular errands where it will be exposed to the great unwashed masses. What you experienced will happen almost EVERY time. You MIGHT be able to get away with taking your special car to a high end restaurant, golf club, etc...MIGHT being the operative term...where you are more likely to encounter others who appreciate fine things. But you certainly can never count on it.
Thus, here are your choices...leave your special car home and miss out on many opportunities to drive it (which is what I do) or resign yourself to this experience being a common part of your existence.
Some people do it out of ignorance, but I think more do it just to spite you - not just because you have a special car but because you THINK it is special, made obvious by the fact that you attempted to protect it by parking far away. That is why it is a magnet for the unwashed masses - they are offended by the fact that you THINK you and/or your car are special and they simply cannot allow that to go unchallenged.
It never dawns on these low class a**holes that you worked very hard to EARN the opportunity to own a special car and you are simply trying to protect it...not put anybody down.
If your car escaped undamaged, consider yourself lucky. If I were you, I would not tempt fate too often...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 150
From: Texas
I went to Home Depot store in Spring, Texas with my red Nissan 350z. I parked in an end spot so that only one car could park next to me on the right side of my car. I left enough distance to open my drivers side door and not hit the concrete median immediately next to the drivers side of my car. I had to run in a pick up some supplies for my boss and that the only reason I drove my 350z to the Home Depot in the first place.(My 350 z is my daily driver not my C7)
When I came back outside (in literally 15 minutes after I had gone in the store) I saw a shopping cart rammed into the left side of my car. My car had a hideous scratch and dent all the length of my drivers side door and front quarter panel of my car. I do not see any way that the cart could have "accidentally" gotten away from someone and hit my car to do all the damage it did. The person had to steer the shopping cart besides the concrete median and then drag it alongside my drivers door and front quarter panel. The person who damaged my car cost me a lot of $$$ to get the damage repaired on my car. I was so upset and of course, no one saw anything ( bet the person who did it was laughing silently and there watching me when I came back outside). I went in the store to see if security would look at their outdoor cameras to see who damaged my car but they refused to do so....Some people are jealous no matter what kind of car it is because if you keep it up and the car looks fancy or sporty, they damage it out of spite....my two cents!
When I came back outside (in literally 15 minutes after I had gone in the store) I saw a shopping cart rammed into the left side of my car. My car had a hideous scratch and dent all the length of my drivers side door and front quarter panel of my car. I do not see any way that the cart could have "accidentally" gotten away from someone and hit my car to do all the damage it did. The person had to steer the shopping cart besides the concrete median and then drag it alongside my drivers door and front quarter panel. The person who damaged my car cost me a lot of $$$ to get the damage repaired on my car. I was so upset and of course, no one saw anything ( bet the person who did it was laughing silently and there watching me when I came back outside). I went in the store to see if security would look at their outdoor cameras to see who damaged my car but they refused to do so....Some people are jealous no matter what kind of car it is because if you keep it up and the car looks fancy or sporty, they damage it out of spite....my two cents!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Brighton MI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
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It doesn't matter if your car is a $1000 "beater", a $75,000 Vette or a $200,000 Ferrari. If you are proud of your car and want to keep it pristine and dent free, and you are willing to go out of your way to do so by parking out in the "outer 40 acres" of parking lots (as I do), stay in the lines and walk an extra half mile to the store, you should be able to have confidence that your baby will be safe. The way I see it, if someone crowds you out there and dings your door, they are subhuman pieces of excrement.
Back in the day, 1971 or so (age 17), I had a '66 Ford Fairlane for which I paid $600. She was my pride and joy and I parked her like a Bentley everywhere I went. I have done the same with all 67 subsequent cars I've owned and never had a problem.
Back in the day, 1971 or so (age 17), I had a '66 Ford Fairlane for which I paid $600. She was my pride and joy and I parked her like a Bentley everywhere I went. I have done the same with all 67 subsequent cars I've owned and never had a problem.
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Maybe they just like to **** you off. Then they can come here and read how POed you really got. More likely, they just parked next to a car and never gave it another thought.
Frankly, the guy parked next to the OP parked in the middle of his own space and left the OP plenty of room to get into and out of his car.
I'm sure we'd all like to think we have "special" cars vs other people's cars but if it is so special that you can't stand someone parked next to it, don't drive the damn thing to a public parking lot.
Frankly, the guy parked next to the OP parked in the middle of his own space and left the OP plenty of room to get into and out of his car.
I'm sure we'd all like to think we have "special" cars vs other people's cars but if it is so special that you can't stand someone parked next to it, don't drive the damn thing to a public parking lot.
Those spaces are for anyone, not just guys with new cars. Looks like he gave the OP plenty of room so no damage done.