I'm fanatical about parking far away from other cars, but the biggest POS in the lot always seems to end up by me anyway. So I adopted a few tactics:

1 - I try to part next to a curb or divider, sliding up next to it as close as I can. This leaves more room between me and the person who parks next to me.

2 - If I have to park next to another car, I try to park on the passenger side. I figure I have a 50/50 chance that the car has only a driver.

3 - If I do part far away from other cars, I'll often take up two spaces. (Yes - one of those diagonal aholes.) But at this point I'm 200-300' from anyone so who cares.

4 - I walk around the car when I return and if I find the first ding, I'll kick the **** out of the car on that side. No need to date.

A friend loaned me a ding remover that consists of a gizmo like a steering wheel puller. You use a hot glue to attach it over the ding, let it set, and then slowly ratchet it out to remove the ding. It can take 10 repeats but it does a pretty good job.

 

We've had many posts on this frustrating topic. I actually came up with a door ding protector that goes on my car when its parked. I always try and find an end spot, the ding protector goes on the exposed side and runs from wheelwell to wheelwell. It can be put on with one hand and removed as such. Without that you are taking a chance no matter how far away you park. I've already paid Dent Wizards 300$ getting dings out so neccessity was the mother of invention. Some people say no way they'd put something like that on their cars. I say fine take the risk of having someone ding you.
See my gallery for photos. I'd be more than happy to tell you how to make your own set.
Pat

 

Pat, I read your earlier post that describes your device. Would you happen to have a picture of it?

 

itsky - There are pics in my Gallery. The entire thing cost under $20 to make and once you have all the components you can make one in about an hour.
If you can't access my gallery please let me know. Once you look at it if you are interested I'll tell you what you need.

Pat

 

I'll take a peek. Thanks!

 

Pat, that looks very simple to construct and use. I'd be interested in learning more! Thanks!

 

Here Is A Sure Fire Way To Vent . I Carry A Pad Of Stickey Back 3x5 Address Labels You Can Rite On. Rite Your Rant Be Nice Then Stick It Rite In The Middle Of The Windshield They Wont Miss It

 

Gary, I just read this thread for the first time. Dang, this happens to me a lot. I always park far way from others, and I don't mind the walk, but when I walk back to my car, it just Pizz***** me to no end to find someone parked right next to me.

I just don't understand the logic. If they think like we do, and need to park aways from the masses, why park next to another car?

 

You should read some of the horror storys on the corvette forms...........Poor Corvette owners have it even worse then us i think......

 

heres the pic to prove it!!!!!!!!

 

Nooooooooo!
Bill, do ever do that again!

 

I left my XF at MIA airport during the weekend. Backed in next to a BMW on the drivers side next to their passenger door. There was a PT cruiser on the other side that I gave plently of room to let them open there door 100 %.

When I returned the BMW was still their. The PT was gone and replaced with something else, but no dings. I was worried People at airports generally don't care about their cars.

 

Too funny this showed up today on the forum. My wife picked the XF up from the dealership today after having a headlight assy replaced ( the bulb wouldnt stay in place ). She emails me to say she took it to the grocery store and she knew she shouldn't but found a parking spot with no other cars around and when she came out there was a car parked right next to it. She was sweating bullets until she saw it was a nice white XF coupe! Sometimes you get lucky. BTW I really enjoy this forum - always great info and a laugh.

 

I'd be worried if it was a 4 door Camaro
But seriously,
Camaros are notorious for creating dings, they have very long doors. Don't ever park next to one and if one parks next to you check for dings!!

 

Yes, that's very true! My other vehicle is an 06 C6 coupe and it gets very frustrating. No matter where I park there is always someone who has to park right on top of my vehicle.

 

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned a big disadvantage of parking way away from other people, at least at grocery stores. It just gives shopping carts that much more unimpeded distance to build up speed before they impact. When I park in a far-away corner of the parking lot, I try to make sure that at least one car is upwind of me.

 

I have been fortunate. I've had mine for almost 6 months, and no door dings.

I used to think my car was perfect, not only in flawless shape, but perfect for me. I was wrong.

The only thing I hate about my car is how much I fear leaving it alone in public. I really don't feel comfortable taking it anywhere. Oh well, you can't have everything.

 

Ditto, isn't that an Awful feeling: you Love it & want to take it everywhere, and yet you're afraid to park it almost Everywhere!

I wish there was a Cure!

 

Hi,

Thought you might like to view this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_1WaMibPLo puts all those car park dings into perspective. The ad has been shortened a bit but essentially this guy has been driving around the mall car park looking for a safe spot to park his pride and joy.

Enjoy

JJ
(Scotland)

Aero Blue 06 Coupe Auto.
No mods (yet)

 

This happened to my Dodge. Washed and waxed it that day, went to the store that evening, and when I came out there was a shopping cart up against the front fender and a matching dent in the wheel opening lip.

While in Las Vegas last Thanksgiving I went to a car show with a friend. We took my Crossfire and parked next to a SSR. The SSR was parked halfway into a zoned off section of the lot so there was plenty of room between our doors. When we returned after the show the SSR was gone and in it's place was a Lexus RX SUV and on the other side of my Crossfire was a BMW. So when someone parks next to you it may be because they are trying to protect their car from door dings and not just to peeve you off.

I was in a lot one time ready to leave and had an older 20-25 year old Cadillac next to me. I carefully opened my door so as not to hit the door of the Caddy. Unknown to me the owner was behind me and actually thanked me for not dinging his door.