Southern Man

Do our cars have magnets in them that attract other cars in parking lots?!!!

Yesterday I had an early Dr appt and stopped by Trader Joes on the way back to pick up one item. Pulled in about 9:30 AM, and while the black SUV on the right was there, the rest of the lot was almost empty.

Out of the shot, directly behind me, is the store, and a whole empty row of parking spots that are just outside of the store.

So, 5 minutes max in the store and I come out to this! WTF?!!!

Dozens of spots closer to the entrance, but these people HAD to park next to me, and pretty closely at that. I just don't get it. Funny, 'cause my wife will circle a lot for 5 minutes just to get a good parking spot close to the entrance.

CarlOrton

I personally share your frustration.

However, sometimes when I'm in my non-Porsche DD, I'll park next to a Vette or Porsche just as a courtesy, in that as a car-guy, I'll protect them from the general citizenry. Hmmm.... I should have cards printed to that effect.

MadIrish

These folks might work in the plaza and are told not to park close? Me, when I park next to a car more expensive than my own, I can feel fairly safe that the owner of THAT car isn't gonna prang my door with his, lol. parking next to you helps THEM to stay dent free. But I cringe every time I see a minivan next to my car. I just picture hordes of greasy, snot covered rug rats boiling out of the sliding door like a ship full of pirates, clanging zippers and backpacks against my car, and touching things with their plague carrying booger hooks.

AWDGuy

Vans have sliding doors though. I'm not yelling at my kids anymore to be careful opening the door like I did in the SUV. If I cant find decent parking, i'll actually look for spots beside minivans for this reason. Sliding doors arent going to ding ya.

fpena944

You have to remember too that most people are followers (lemmings) in life. So they just do whatever they see someone else doing. Just observe people in their daily routines and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I find the same thing happening to me with my car as well. I don't let it bother me unless they park close to my car. It baffles me how parking a vehicle within two lines can be so difficult to many drivers.

wildbilly32

When I pointed out the giant truck on one side and the minivan that had parked on the other side of my baby, I had a "Medical Professional" tell me that this occurs because humans are a pack animal. He said it with a huge smile on his face...

Flat6Music

Whenever possible, always choose an end spot and hug the inside next to the curb. Then upon your return, always walk to the side of the car that's vulnerable to do a quick check for damage like some kind of paranoid freak before getting in and driving away. That's my ritual.

extanker

you have to be kidding....right ?

TonyTwoBags

Parkers in the last year have been more rude to my element than my carrera. Parking lots are usually fun as the occasional guy will ask for the keys with a smile. I don't blame them!

beetleything

Crazy - maybe they figure you have a nice car and are going to be careful opening your door so as not to damage your car & therefore they are safe also!!

Parking lots and spaces seem to be more crowded nowadays and the spaces smaller and the cars bigger.
I am always careful where i park but every time i wash the car i find little marks from when people go by with bags - shopping trollies etc etc and rub or contact your car.

An old lady parked next to me recently - left a huge gap - great - then she got out and staggered around putting on her coat and her car door kept moving further and further out until it was millimetres away from contacting me.....fortunately it didn't hit me - but it was tantalizingly close.
It's a nitemare!!

wyovino

I see it all the time too. I parked in a completely empty lot (CVS) just before the store opened. I parked at the far end. As I'm walking away from the car, a woman in a giant SUV parks next to me about 12 inches from my car. There was no way for her to open her door without hitting me so I went back towards the car and said "Wait, I'll move". She reacted by saying "Enjoy your mid-life crisis, fat ***!" I told her to make sure she didn't forget to buy tampons and Midol while she was in CVS.

mrjonger

We have an Element and a Carrera as well. I used to complain about the Element's harsh ride quality and interior noise. After the Carrera, it seems so quiet and the ride feels so supple.

tlippold

Funny. I have moved my car like that too. Never had anyone make a fuss though.

Flat6Music

"you have to be kidding....right ?"

Nope. Welcome to my OCD madness. I'll also gladly park as far out in a parking lot as possible to avoid having someone park next to me. I don't mind walking. My pick-up truck? No. My cars? Yes.

5CHN3LL

The whole "I'm gonna park next to you in an empty parking lot" doesn't seem to happen much here in San Diego. Thankfully.