I try to park next to a curb and I try to park where it's empty around.

I remember a few months ago I was parked away from everyone at Sears at the mall and some full size van with about 8 people just hopped all out, thinking one or more of them is going to hit the car sometime if I'm not around, I start it back up, reverse it into the spot behind me about 20 feet away, they all had a dumb look like what was that for. There's no reason for people to part DIRECTLY next to someone and hug that lane if there's about 10 parking spaces CLOSER to the store on two lanes alone.

 

Last spot backed in as close as possible to the curb.... whenever possible as far away as I can to where it'd be stupid to park next to me and walk all that way..... Doing that I actually had someone parked next to me when I came out, but it was cool. It was a newer Vette right next to me, since he knew I'd be careful too, that was one side neither of us would have to worry about.

 

Hug the end spot (AKA the one dinger) and park out, but not TOO far out. I would avoid taking two spaces.

Bonus points for always backing in.

 

I always back in unless I will be putting the top down (little to no visibility when backing up, and people would rather hit you or go around than stop when they see you). Ill usually pick the spot by a curb or near some nicer cars.

 

Park next to 4 door cars if you have to park near cars....

Their doors do not open as far as 2 door cars!

 

ok ok ok.... having worked valet for 5 years I'm kind of a pro at this lol. You want to back your car into all parking spaces that are mall style. this sets the tone for most drivers letting them know you're very serious about your car and not to mess with it.

as stated above by my colleages if you can park next to a curb spot and hug it tight you really don't have to worry too much. if those aren't available try to find a spot between 1 hopefully 2 cars that look like the owners really care about their cars.

last but most important practice.... write down the license plate numbers of the cars parked next to you. I know this sounds obsessive and it is HOWEVER! having been a victim of a hit and run on my driver side quarter panel while getting a sandwich at Subway on my lunch break that cost me $500 deductible out of pocket (Geico covered the other $1800 it took to fix it) I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend doing this. For the most part you guys have smart phones. Utilize them to protect your investment. With my droid i go to my notepad and note down the plates of the cars next to me. don't get me wrong i don't do this everytime i park somewhere. only when i go somewhere like the mall or movie theater. I'm normally not parked somewhere where my car is exposed for a long time. i try to park within eyesight of the s2k when I can.

do walkarounds also after extended periods.

 

In general, most people pull in nose first into a parking space. So if you park on an endcap, make sure that when you park, their passenger side will be next to your vehicle, since most people drive solo, and they will not be opening their door that is next to your vehicle.

 

Being anal about parking isn't going to make me a hero, but I am pleased that I conditioned my wife to also be super careful, parking away from everyone and avoiding the higher-traffic parts of parking lots like right in front of stores. Her last door ding was in the '86 GTI soon after she got it, as her job required using a crowded municipal lot; 25 years ago.


She's still more likely to nose-in than I, but I'm working on it.

 

If I'm forced to park next to someone, I avoid cars where fat, old, and/or lazy people drive. Ie. minivans, big ole land-boat cadillacs, and cars that look like they've never been washed.

At work , I back in to a spot next to a pillar, and angle my butt inbetween the pillar and the wall so that there is plenty of space between me and the car next to me's passenger door. Oh yea, i always adjust my work/lunch schedule to get me prime parking spot.

 

This!!