So, back when I was only a lad one of my older brothers took me to McDonalds one day. He was driving his highly prized 1960 Plymouth Valiant, handed down through two brothers after that including myself.

We are parked, new Cadillac pulls up on the passenger side, they fling open the door, whack. They get out, we get out, heck all I am thinking is "McDonalds, mmmm parents never let me go here". I am at the door, oops, no brother... Grandpa says, basically, "so what, it's not worth anything" and wanders on in.

Me I stand there perplexed, brother gently opens my passenger door, gets in, gently lets the door rest, almost closed but not latched, scoots across the bench seat, turns, faces door and with both legs, full force, WHACK. Gets out, checks his door, no damage to the ancient metal, closes the door, proudly inspects the new crater in the Cadillac and wanders in with a huge grin.

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raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

At school I try to park very near (as in inches from) the concrete posts that hold the parking structure up. Since it's a 5 story structure, I usually park at the 4th or 3rd, that way not a lot of people want to walk up or ride the elevator.

Since it's also covered, that saves my dash from cracking. And parking in an open lot, I usually face against the sun that way the dash won't get any sunlight, even with the dashmat on it.

And park exactly in the middle of the lines. That way if the other two cars park askew, you've got (hopefully) enough room to avoid a ding or two. However, my car already has some dings (I think the constellation Cancer can be seen in bright midday sunlight). So another ding wouldn't do much damage since PDR (paintless dent removal) is per panel, not per ding.

On the other hand, when the other car (wagon) is good enough for daily use, I'll bring that along and keep my sedan back home. The wagon's more of a beater.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

I like the end spot snuggled right up against the median, I back in with my tires 1 or 2 inches from the curb.

When I had my beater 83 F-250 Supercab diesel I would sometimes squeeze in next to the jerk who parked halfway into the next spot with a shiny new POS with only inches to spare! Ah those were the days!

Hey gtmotor, how come I've never seen your Lotus on the streets of Tucson???

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

one trick i use is to park at a slight angle... lets say i am next to an island, one of my favs... i put the nose in tight but leave the rear in the middle of the space. this will force the car coming in away from the middle where the dings originate from.

if you put the whole car tight on the curb the thoughtless one can pin you in a lot easier.

i recently pulled into a space with my big dodge truck. while getting out i stopped the door in mid swing at the little notch and let go of it while i got my hat lying on the pass seat. at that time the wind gusted and whipped my door into the little brand new honda next to me. OUCH!!! i really hated that. so i checked and i hit at the rr fender lip. a definate chip in brand new paint. darn. and i was there for the breakfast optomist club meeting. so i asked if anybody was driving that car. nobody answered, but later one of the guys called me and said he wasnt sure from my descripton of the color. that little misadventure cost like 387 dollars. he said there was a dent too.

if it were mine i would touch up the nick about 3/16" x 3/8" with matching touch up and move on. he had the whole quarter painted. i bet it will fade.

oh well. it is his car.

my insurance carrier said since it was wind it will be paid under comp. so i let them pay it.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.