Driving to Vegas
 

Guys
I need some advice. My lady and I are going to Vegas and I want to drive the vette. I have a 07 Z06, and from La, its about a 5 hour drive. My concern is when I get to the hotel, should I allow the vallet guy to park my car, giving them my Key FOB, and running the risk of the car being stolen, or park the car myself in the parking sturcture. Either way Im extremly nervous and thinking about not even taking the car. Any ideas or thoughts on how I can bring my ride but not freak out and be nervous about it the entire time I am in Vegas?! Keep in mind Las Vegas has the highest auto theft per capita in the entire country!

Any advice would be much appreciated!

:willy: :bigears

Drive it, park it yourself in a highly visable spot. Short of that I don't know what else you could do. I don't think I'd give it to the Valet... :willy:

Park yerself
 

I would say I want to do my own parking, and if that isn't possible tell him he doesn't have a choice,you're going for the ride into the parkade.
Failing that keep your keys and call the manager.It's not your suitcase, and it is worth a lot of money,too bad if they think your anal.:bs

I never thought of that, good idea! Thanks!

Maybe it's just me but
 

I live here in LV. A lot of times, I would party & would drink too much & decide to leave my car in either valet or self park & pick it up the following day. If you're staying at one of the big hotel/casino, I say no big deal! They're use to parking exotic cars here by now. If anything, I'd give the valet manager $$$ & ask him/her to take good care of it. Plenty of times, they have spot for there local regular where they could park cars down by the lobby where it's visible at all times. Otherwise, park it yourself. No big deal! The cars that they steal are normally the camry's, nissan, stuff, etc... FYI, if it would make you feel better, pay attention in the parking structure & make sure you find a spot that is within the camera views! Good luck, be safe & have fun!:thumbs:

Dude you are crazy!!! I personaly know a few vallet guys here in town. If I were to tell you all of the HORROR stories that they have told me and the things they have done to peoples cars I would be typing all night. Not to mention other stories friends of mine have told me of their own person encounters with daily driver type cars. Also the last place you want to drive your Z is anywhere near the strip. Why? All of the people that are DUI and not paying attention to the road. If you could care less about your Z then bring it otherwise bring your daily driver.

Nothig happens at a LV Casino without being filmed(except bathrooms).Valet parking is used to upper end cars.

slip the valet a c note. park it urself rite up front and put a cone or 2 around it thell have the red cones lock car leave phone# .have a great trip

have good insurance on the car and dont give the keys to the valet. park in the structure yourself and if its too much stress for you to enjoy the trip, either leave it at home or stay at a hotel a bit further out that has better parking arrangements

Thanks for the advice

Ive been living in vegas for the past few months now, and I see people parking their lamobs etc. out in random parking lots, in the "not so nice" parts of town. Just park it yourself under a light or in the front row and you shouldnt have any problems.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Never been to Vegas, huh? That ain't gonna happen. Valet's and their managers don't give a $hit about you and your precious car. They'll laugh their butts off at you if you make such a demand.

Park it yourself....that's your only semi-safe choice. I never take my Vette to the strip.

No way would I use a valet. And if you are going on a weekend and returning on Sunday then I'd say take a car with an automatic because you could end up in quite a bit of traffic.

If you aren't going during high traffic then it would be a blast but forget about using a valet IMO. Enjoy and good luck. :cheers: :thumbs:

I drive to Vegas at least once a month, somtimes more for business. I allways vallet the car, I have them park right in front. Be sure to slide them green and its all good.:thumbs:

If you are staying at a decent hotel they are used to parking high-end cars. Your car will be safe. If it makes you feel better simply park yourself. The advantage to Valet is that they park next to other valet cars and they are responsible for all of them so the liklihood of damage is probably less than parking in a regular lot. Do valets screw up at times, sure but I have never had a problem and I doubt that many have first hand accounts of problems. A decent hotel is not going to take a chance of running off customers by having a yahoo working the valet screwing up cars.

I just give them cash to park it up front. You can watch them drive it the 20 ft, and no there isn't an issue. You can come out and pet it every so often if your worried about it :)

I know a lot of valet guys who work in the best hotels, and they all tell me NEVER give a car you care about to a valet. I can't even repeat some of the things they've told me.

If you carefully read the valet claim check, you'll see that in most places they are responsible for almost nothing. If you don't find any problem before you step into the car and drive away, you're screwed. Once you take possession, their limited liability is gone forever. As for tipping to park it up front, if you want hundreds if not thousands of people (some drunk) milling around or past your car for several hours, go for it.

So good luck with those valets!:lol: :lol: :lol:

We took the Vette to Las Vegas many, many times. No issues ever. Just ask the Valet to keep it close and to watch it. An extra tip always helps.

The Valets are the best paid people in LAs Vegas! They know how to take care of high dollar cars, even our Vettes!

Enjoy!

Stay at the Rio - it has a humongous amount of self-parking . . . not to mention Penn & Teller.

I've been using valet's for over 30 years without any problems. I suppose I could stay home and build a wall around the car with armed guards, but I've got better things to worry about. I think they have med's for your concerns, it's just a car for Gods sakes. :cheers:

Vegas is no big deal. I park it in the Casinos all the time. Just don't valet it there or anywhere else, unless you want some kid playing with it.

About the car being stolen, I wouldn't sweat it. The minute you park your car and walk to your room, the casino is watching you.

The only concern should be traffic. Stay away from driving Friday afternoon :ack:

Valet Parking
 

Did you ever see Ferris Bueller's Day Off??? :ack:

:iagree:

Hey man
 

Pleeeeeeese !!!!!!!!! Don't gimme that IT'S JUST A CAR LINE:bs
It's THEIR car and THEY'VE worked a lifetime to get it.

I guess some people haven't worked that hard or that long for their toys.
My $00.02

Buy HP tuners and put your car in limp mode :) Set the max speed to 30mph.

I do that on my porsche when i valet.

hop on a plane,, hop in cabs that are everywhere, and take the added stress out of a fun time. Who needs to be worrying about a car getting abused when there is so much fun to be had... cabs are anywhere from 8 to 12.00 to get almost anywhere in town.

If I were you, I'd rent a car and drive from LA in lieu of taking the Z. It will cost a few bucks but the peace of mind when you hand the valet the keys will be priceless!!

:lol:

honestly its not an enzo ferrari :) Its pretty easily fixed/replacable.

Hmm well being that I live here, I would say leave it at home. It's bascially luck of the draw, there are good and bad valets here. But if you have any type of concearn I would just leave it at home and enjoy your time in Vegas Imho

I always stay at the Paris when I'm out there (3-4 times a year) and they'll park 5-10 exotics (Z06s included) right in front of the hotel, basically on the sidewalk. Other casino's don't do that but I do see people valet parking their nice rides all the time. Throw the valet some cash, be nice, and they'll be fine.

Guys, all your advice has been great. I am staying at the RIO, still undecided on whether or not to take it. I have a 2004 honda accord, but I drive it every day multiple hours to work and back and hate it! Tough decision but everyone's insight has helped. Thanks again!

:cheers:

Be careful not parking your car in the valet area. I like yourself never want to hand my car over to a valet so a few months after I just purchased the car I parked in self park in a rather large casino. I purposely parked away from everyone. When I came out to the car on Sunday morning someone kicked out 2 of my rear tail lights and tried to kick in my window. They were not successful with the window, but a big footprint was on the window. I was luck and they did not scratch the rear bodywork and all I had to do was replace the tail lights for about $100 a piece. Since I was in self parking, the casino would not take care of the bill.

If it was me, insist that the valet get in the passenger side and you drive it into the parking lot and park it where he tells you.

When I pay $25 a day for valet are you supposed to tip as well?I stayed a the Westin in Irvine this past weekend and I insisted on parking myself. They would have liked to park my car then in their garage which is 100 feet or so away and where I could have parked it myself for $18/day but they ended up leaving it in the fire lane ,keeping my keys so they could move it if they needed to.

Hey Wrong forum
 

If it was an Enzo I wouldn't give a F_ _ _ where I parked it because I obviously have more money than brains !!!!!!!
Each to his own, but when a car costs that much it's almost always about image not passion or a love for cars.
My $00.02

Stay at a Hotel where you can park it yourself in a secure lot operated by the Hotel. I always park at the most distant spot.. usually at the bottom.. and put a cover on the car while it is there.

A C NOTE!!!! :rofl: f that ... I'll walk!

hmmm. what's more fun? 5 hours in a Honda Accord or a Z06 (youll make it in 3.5 hrs)? i would check in a hotel on the strip, park it myself and just walk around the strip, forget about driving. but if you're staying in Rio, you're gonna have to drive.

I've been to Vegas plenty of times and stayed in suites at some of the "best" hotels like Bellagio and Wynn. My two cents is to leave the car at home. Las Vegas Blvd is a zoo. Traffice is horrible. The casinos are gigantic and their self-park parkades are really far from the casino/hotel. It's better to fly in and taxi it everywhere if you're primarily going to be around the strip area. The taxis drop you off right in front. The cab drivers know ALL the shortcuts to get around Las Vegas Blvd and its traffic.

As for the Rio, I've never really liked their parking area. They're off the strip and frankly the area is just so so. I don't remember them having an area out front to leave more than a a couple of cars.

If it were me, I'd fly in and take a taxi all around. Make it easy. If you want a car, rent one while you're there. Heck, rent something nice and have some fun and try something different :-)

Lots of traffic, lot's of cops, and usually idiots creating traffic problems, even with the new lanes driving to Vegas. We usually take wifey's CLK500 for a Vegas run for that reason- unless it is the middle of the night you will not enjoy the drive- I don't.
But frankly if your DD is an Accord, yes take the Vette.

As everyone else says, you should park it and take a cab, shuttle, or walk to get around. I have spent 3-4 days in Vegas and never moved the car, checked on it though..
When we go to Spring Mountain for Corvette Days like this past Feb. and coming up here in April- we add a couple of days and head to Vegas for Sunday/Monday and not had a problem at the Paris, Harras, and Bally's- And yes Rio has a big open lot
(not in the structure) that is pretty safe to park.
When you enter keep right and go past the structure on the right, after that there is lot's of space in a lot on the right.

Being a little north of you( Bakersfield, Ca.), I have taken mine to Vegas a few times so far. Love the drive over, lots of highway and have never had problems with valets. I have stayed primarily at Red Rock and Green Valley and once with the car at the Venetian. It's hard for me to believe that these valets are going to risk their job with joyriding these cars. From what I understand valet work pays pretty well. Of course there are exceptions. I would go for it, I think you will enjoy the drive.

Ryan

Ask the Valet to park it up in front of the hotel. If this is not possible, park it yourself

I wouldn't let a valet drive even my bicycle ... no frikkin way.

Keep the Vette at home
 

I've been living in Vegas for 12 yrs. If I were you, I'd rent a car in LA and drive it to LV. You just park it anywhere that's convenient for you, no tipping needed to anyone. You now can enjoy your stay while making your contribution to our city (gambling), and have a great time. If you should feel like taking a tour up and down the strip, go ahead, you won't be concerned about overheating, hit 'n runs, DUI etc,etc. , it's NOT your car. So, lose the stress and have a great time and take in a show, "KA" and The Beatles' "LOVE" are a total must see!!!
Ed

I have lived in Vegas for 24 years now and am on my 3rd Vette. I never use the valet. Not because I don't trust them but I just don't want anyone driving my Vette. The wife I and I go out to the casinos often enough and park in the garage structure far away in the no dent zone. Higher end casino have roving security in the parking garages. In the past year we have park the Z06 at Redrock Casino, Bellagio and Green Valley Ranch (we leave 2 miles from there) and never had a problem.

I have also parked our 4.8is X5 and my Escalade (the most stolen vehicle in Vegas) for years now without a problem.

I wish I had an extra garage at my house. 3 car garage - 3 cars. You could park it safely here overnight and stay at the Green Valley Ranch.

Unless you can have the car parked & then walk away without worrying one bit about it, just leave it at home. It will take the pleasure out of a trip that's supposed to be fun. Some folks care too much about their toys to do that & there's no shame in it. The fact that you have already expressed concern indicates that you are probably one of those folks.

There is no right & wrong on this, just what works for you. I take my toys all over the place but I do stay out of the higher risk situations and I consider Vegas and/or valet parking higher risk.

Think back about a month ago when the "valet" in the L.A. area, at a dealership if I remember right, took a Z06 for a quick drive down the street & totalled it into a couple of parked cars. Does that happen often? No. Could it happen? Yes.

Ultimately you have to decide whether it's worth the worry of leaving your car behind in somebody else's hands. Whatever you decide I hope you enjoy your trip. :cheers:

I love driving the Z to LV, pass everyone on the left, when they try to
speed up to cut you off drop her down to 5th and blast past them. The
idiots will drive in the left lane from San Diego to LV and never
moveover to the right lane. I have self parked @ Mirage, Winn, Mandaly
Bay, never had a problem. Park it leave it, take a cab to switch
casinos. The road trip is a blast in the Z, beats flying SW just flying
lowww. Once hooked up with another Z out of LA with paper plates, he
broke that bad boy in right!
Ted:cheers::cheers:

Las Vegas is number 1 in car theft............no Z06's that I know of..............but..................... .......

I have lived here for 40+ years no problems here with self park or valet. It is good advice to tip extra to hold it up front though. Most self park garages have an entrance that goes right into the casino.....easy access. I wouldn't hesitate to bring the Z.

You will have a better time taking another car or flying there... The entire time you are there you will be worrying about your baby sitting in the garage... Leave it at home...

Then leave it at home, you really think that this thread is going to give convincing advice to this guy or anyone else for that matter.

take the vette on the 3.5hr trip and enjoy yourself. ask the valet guy to leave it upfront. "you take care of him, & he'll take care of you and you car". i leave my car(s) in valet all the time only if they have a place to leave it up front. if they dont, i find a nice secluded, well lite,camera space in the garage -but i've never parked it at the rio. while you here cruise down the strip in the vette as it is almost 80 deg here, but i would also suggest cab'n it.

Thank you for everyones wisdom and insight, I now have a clear idea of what I will do when I get there. I have been to Vegas so many times, but not in this high class of a car. Teds427 said it best and made me realize I bought the car to drive it and enjoy, passing those idiots who dont get over for you is going to be one of the highlights of my trip! Ha ha, makes me smile thinking about it!. Cant wait! Thanks again!
:cheers:

Brian

I can't believe all of the "leave it at home" advice here. I have never seen a group of guys who love their cars so much they don't want to drive them. For me I won't buy a car that I won't drive anywhere I want to go. If something happens to it then I get it fixed and move on.
To each his own.

I always manage to find an area FAR FAR away from everyone.
And then.....I WALK! It's good for you! Lol.













Greg