Skibum

I honestly don't see how you could call it douchbaggery if you are not affecting others?
I'd totally agree if the lot would be one to fill up. I'm talking about parking at the far end of a 70% empty lot.
(Not picking a fight, I just don't get it...) Most I have ever heard is.. "I don't blame you for parking there"

Alan Smithee

It's an entitlement issue. Nobody wants door dings, regardless of whether you have a $80k car or an $8k car. If everybody took up two spaces to avoid door dings, even your Canton parking lots would be overflowing.

FiatCoupe

I try and park as far away from the entrance as possible and only have one empty parking space on one side. Ideally parallel park.

I've also been out with a couple of friends who were also driving and they parked their sacrificial cars either side for me :-)

I think it's okay to take advantage of the parking spaces. For example, I drove to Kemah in Texas and ended up having to park in a multi-story car park. It got a few bemused looks as I was driving it around as if to say you're brave bringing that in here. It was pretty full so I had to park on the top. In the corner was a crossed off section between the last two end spots. It was to warn you that if you parked there you wouldn't be able to get out if cars parked in the adjacent spots. One of the end spots was free so I reversed the car in at an angle such that the rear of the car was in the corner and only the front was in my parking space. A guy in a big truck close by offered to help me reverse as he knew what I was trying to do.

I think you get more respect for parking away from the crowd, people can tell that it's expensive and you want to look after it. However if you also start taking up two spaces I can imagine how it would ruffle some peoples feathers.

Skibum

You obviously don't know Canton..lol
In any event I'll take your opinion under advisement.

notbostrom

go get some orange roadwork cones

Minok

I'd recommend against taking up two spaces, unless there are dozens of empty spaces to the left and right of you.

Nothing gets my desire to take a mallet to your car going more than the inability or unwillingness to park in a single parking space, when the lot is near full.

Skibum

Totally agree.

winkingchef

If the same guy parks next to you, then you can place the shox at the height of the longest part of his door.
However, this won't work if it's a random guest spot.

I always prefer to leave a note on the guy's hood with the best space and offer him $300 to swap.

To answer your question, I doubt this will affect the paint provided you keep your car relatively clean and it doesn't rain on it with shox installed (sounds like you are in a garage, so you're covered there) I'd keep a microfiber cloth and some detailer spray to spray and wipe once before applying.

purrybonker

It's all about attracting attention. Even though you feel that you are totally pristine in your intentions - you're just waving a "hey, look at my car!" red flag in front of anyone with an attitude.

The best solution is to park in the open or beside other very nice cars.

Never, ever take two spots even in the most remote section of an empty lot.

Skibum

After hearing from everyone...I think I'll just keep it in the garage or not stop while driving.

Purry.. The difference in congestion between Vancouver and here is pretty huge. I think thats a big factor.

Mike in CA

I agree with the comments about taking up two spaces; I think it's a red flag to some people. Like everyone else, I look for spots in a more open area and always try to pick end spaces. It limits the potential damage from dings to one side and you can sidle over to give as much space as possible between you and the one potential car that can park next to you.

FiatCoupe

Another way to look at it is if you have an expensive car then people can respect that, they've worked hard, got a good education etc. However when you take up two places you're saying you're better than them and that rubs people up the wrong way.

akw

+1

Doesn't matter what city,town or village you happen to be in - there will always be "one of those people".

purrybonker

Yeah, that's undoubtedly true.

The best parking is angle parking. A few shopping centres here have angle parking right in front of the store (eg Park Royal in West Van) - I will often circle around until one of those comes free.

That's one thing I miss from the good old days - angle parking goes a long way to solving door ding concerns.

ELUSIVE

Just my opinion, but if anyone with a 911 continues to park in 2 spots in any city of the country...it's only a matter of time before someone vandalizes the car in some way.