Add me to the list of "paranoid" parkers. When I go to the BART station every day (SF Bay area's version of a subway), I look for a spot with two pillars (one toward the front of the car, one toward the back). I park on the left-hand side of the pillar, since most people drive solo to the station. This leaves ample room between my right-hand side, and addresses the fact that most people drive solo to the station, and thus, will not open their passenger's door into the left-hand side of my vehicle.

Of course, I'm out of luck if a) the driver on the left is driving a car with the driving position on the right-hand side, b) there are two people in the car, or c) they back into the spot, leaving the driver's door facing my left-hand side of the car!

Words of advice: Avoid Camero's and Firebirds if you must park in a parking area where there's little choice. They have VERY large doors, and pretty much must be opened fully to get in/out of the car. In addition, if they're older versions of these cars, the drivers most likely don't care if their doors hit the car next to them! The post about parking next to equally expensive/coveted cars is good advice. They don't want to ding their door edges any more than we want their door edges hitting our doors.

 

i find that double parking or parking light years away is the only way to go. Recently ive been double parking with my manager. (he drives a 99 M3)We've come up with a solution to solve both our paranoia. We double park right next to each other and take up 3 spaces This way unless we were parked next to say an eldorado or an old cadillac their doors wide open wouldnt even come close to ours. I suggest you team up when parking dont double park to the point where its obvious just enough to where no car can fit (except those new mini coopers coming out damn them!) and enjoy temporary comfort.

 

i try to park parallel whenever possible. then the sides are protected and you only get the plastic bumper fascias scratched up.

 

I ALWAYS park my car towards the end of the lot or somewhere isolated. Friends think I am stupid but I do it anyway. Lets see how they feel if their doors get dinged.......