Byprodriver

Same here in LA & OC, this is why the business hires an outside company to do the valet "service" to limit liability. I usually boycott a business that doesn't have alternative parking!

machbx

+1 *exactly*

demosan

I hear you loud and clear................. That's why I chose to use my wife's MB when we go anywhere where Valet service is in play ;-) Demosan

jordanturbo

I record my milage every time the car is started or turned off for maintenance records and to assist in the collection of other information, so I know exactly how many km's were put on my car. I have never had a problem with valet taking care of my car, and being in a valet lot, I fee much safer than with self park. I believe valets will take care of vehicles in their possession a little more than the average person, park properly etc. self park you have no clue who is parking beside you and how careful they are. Either way in the end it is just a car and I have insurance.

That being said, about 7 years ago the doctor that lives behind me took his wife for a weekend to the Fairmont Banff Springs i their 2001 Porsche C4 Cabrio. The valet took it for a joy ride, rolled it doing close to 120mph wrote off the car and was permanently injured. The Fairmont chain opted to buy then a brand new 997 C4S cabrio to avoid going through insurance, and keeping them quiet to avoid bad publicity.

KNS

I worked with a guy who was once a valet, he made it quite clear - never give your car to a valet!

Divot

I do self park usually, but will valet. I always tip well up-front, and some guys will let you park your car in the valet lot if you tip.

street rod

I had to valet the other day and they let me park it myself and keep the keys after tip. Otherwise always self park.

dansen

There was one time, this lady banged my MB's door while I was in it and quickly walked away. What am I supposed to do? ~sigh~

Wonder those Ferrari and Lambo valet or self park. Prob tip the valet $100 and keep the key

SubzeroX

i've never let valet drive. usually i'll pull up curbside right at the front of the restaurant, 1 car length away from the valet booth, and park it there. Give the guy $15 (usually valet's are $5-10) and walk in with the key. The car is in front, ready when u leave, keys are with you.

halik

Self-park.

Handing the keys of an expensive-to-fix-anything car to a guy making minimum wage doesn't sound like a wise idea... and I hate door dings.

Peter 642

I don't see how I would trust a newer driver to drive a manual, period. That's what would primarily keep me from having it valet parked. Not that in my automatic Ferrari I have them park it either (see Ferris, above). Not that I have a Ferrari, but if I did, I'd park it myself.

We've got a "fancy" restaurant close by that always has a collection of nicer cars up-front, where the valets don't touch them, and the owners self-park. Eye candy for the valets, good for the restaurant to demonstrate its "clientele" has good taste.

nick49

Valet have their place. I used them when I travel and have a rental car.

I'd walk a mile before throwing the keys to my Jeep to a valet. Need I say more?