Shopping Centre Carparks

[N1GTR]

Luckily i have 2 cars, so for shopping centers i leave the skyline at home (but the one time i dont.....)

I suggested this to a mate : by a 2nd car, if you cant afford a nice one just buy something. Even if its a $500 shitbox from the auctions, take it anywhere and leave it, who cares if it gets a scratch (if its $500 it will be well scratched already). Then when rego runs out just buy another one

[MANWHORE]

thats what i do, or i park in between 2 spaces, but i try not to take the skyline when im goin to park it places

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I used to think that it was a good idea to park 2 spaces. I've heard of at least 3 experiences from people I know that I no longer do it.

Bogans (this country's inhabitants) often think it selfish of people with nice cars and become jealous and key those cars.

[Bunta]

I must admit that if I was looking for a park and somone had parked across two parks I would be pissed, Of course I wouldnt key the car but damn it is almost an open invite to people of low morals

[disturb3d]

U think thats bad

i work at Castle Hill RSL and ive been hit 3 times in 1 month since i have started working there

First time was my front guard was dented in, then my rear drivers side quarter panel got dented in with a long scrape and 2 days ago my front bar got 3 large scrapes along the side and is almost falling off

there are cameras in the carpark but they cant tell who actually does the damage

Extremly frustrating......i goto work to earn money ...to pay for the damage that i get from working

Ps. i always park in the middle on the lines and infront of cameras

Anyone know what i can do????

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dude,

are you the white r33 with the massive front mount at Castle RSL... I used to go there to hit the jacks but haven't been around for a while (DETOX Period). Mate, i've had my car dented from doors there. I must admitt, the car park spots there are quite narrow for the usual old farts that go there. im sure that there was an allocated parking spot for staff there.

[Merli]

be selfish, BE VERY SELFISH when parking, take up 2 spots if you can....because your skyline is more precious than the value of what ever thy are driving

Your $15k skyline is more than likely NOT more precious than "the value of what ever thy are driving"

Parking a $15,000 car in two spots is a sure fire way to get your car keyed.

You simply care more about your car than they do.

Lesson 1: Park it in single spots with pole either side of your car.

Lesson 2: Park next to cars that are MUCH more expensive than yours.

[Merli]

Luckily i have 2 cars, so for shopping centers i leave the skyline at home (but the one time i dont.....)

I suggested this to a mate : by a 2nd car, if you cant afford a nice one just buy something. Even if its a $500 shitbox from the auctions, take it anywhere and leave it, who cares if it gets a scratch (if its $500 it will be well scratched already). Then when rego runs out just buy another one

Why buy a nice car so you can leave it in the garage because you're too scared to take it anywhere?

Do you think that people who buy $100,000 Mercedes and other cars have a $5000 cr4pper that they take to shopping centres? Uhhhh no.

I buy my car so I can drive it, not so I can baby it and leave it in the garage whilst I drive a $500 sh1tbox around instead. That's just stupid.

[N1GTR]

Why buy a nice car so you can leave it in the garage because you're too scared to take it anywhere?   

Do you think that people who buy $100,000 Mercedes and other cars have a $5000 cr4pper that they take to shopping centres? Uhhhh no.

I buy my car so I can drive it, not so I can baby it and leave it in the garage whilst I drive a $500 sh1tbox around instead. That's just stupid.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One is for work.

One is for fun.

Whats stupid about that?

Is it stupid that i dont take the one that has the higher chance of getting stolen to a well known place for getting cars stolen?

Seems logical to me.

I dont have a $500 shitbox myself, i suggested that as most people probably couldnt justify 2 15k plus cars. But $500 will most likely be the cost of repairs to their skyline if/when it gets damaged, or worse - stolen. So $500 seems a fair price.

I drive my r32 pretty much everyday, but it seems logical to me, that if for whatever reason i have to go to an area where lots of cars have been stolen or damaged for no good reason i may aswel leave it at home.

I hope you see my point.

Im not trying to start a fight here, just suggesting a cheap way to save the anger/frustration/whatever of having your skyline stolen.

[Merli]

<snip>

Nope, I don't see the point at all.

Insurance is your friend. It covers your ass in ANY of your suggested situations.

I just think it's absolutely LUDICROUS to buy a nice car, and keep it in the garage and subjecting yourself to driving a relatively crappy car (in relation to your "nice" car) instead of enjoying the nice car.

[supadan]

iam with you there merli

[disturb3d]

Sorry merli, i must agree with N1GTR. The justification of having a "nice car" and a "crappy car" is based on the individuals preference and lifestyle.

Hypothetically, if owned a 100k mercedes, and had to commute to work everyday (train), however the only way to get to the station is to drive and park your 100k car at the carpark, do you believe it would be ludacrous to invest in a 5-10k general purpose car or would it be feasible to enjoy the 10 minute drive to the station and show it off to the potential car thieves.

You have a good point about "insurance is there for a purpose", hence why i drive leave my car at any place i want to, but the the reason why people buy other (crap) cars is not only based on a risk factor (leaving it at public car parks etc), but the associated expenses involved of the regular operating costs of the vehicle.

You have to see that everyone is entitled to their opinions and these opinions may reflect lifestyles and preferences from different income classes.

[rukus]

i agree with N1GTR.

i drive my car everywhere and anywhere i can, except a shopping centre like westfield. it's pretty much the only place i wouldnt drive my car to. if i cant get a lift there or dont have means of getting there without my skyline, i dont go there.

i dont like testing my luck out.

[Merli]

Hypothetically, if owned a 100k mercedes, and had to commute to work everyday (train), however the only way to get to the station is to drive and park your 100k car at the carpark, do you believe it would be ludacrous to invest in a 5-10k general purpose car or would it be feasible to enjoy the 10 minute drive to the station and show it off to the potential car thieves.

Yes. I think that is ludicrous. And anyone else who knew you had a $100,000 car in the garage but drove a 1980 Holden Camira ($5000 worth) everyday would also think that you're nuts.

I wouldn't buy a $100k mercedes to "show it off". I'd buy one for the driving pleasure it gave me. The comfortable interior, the creature comforts, GPS sat nav, heated seats, premium nappa leather, etc etc. All these things are there to make my 10 minute drive to the station more enjoyable.

Please don't get me wrong. I'm in no way opposed to buying a second car for daily commuting duties and shopping centre trips. But if you spend all your money on one super duper amazing-mobile that you end up being so scared to take it out into the big bad world, and then have to resort to using a $5000 crapper instead, that my friend, is absurd.

[Beer Baron]

yeah, i'm not really afraid to take the GTR anywhere. I generally drive the soarer if i'm just going shopping or whatever, but only because it's more comfortable, has nicer stereo, has leather etc. I think if people have a worry about parking in carparks etc like andrew suggested then it's time for comprehensive insurance, and a nice alarm. If car is stolen, you will get another. simple. I tried having a shitbox before (a 31 silo). it was fun for about 5 seconds. then i though, what the fcuk am i doing? If i want a nice drive take the soarer or the GTR and forget about wasting money on a shitter. save the money you would waste on the shitter and use it on full comp insurance (if you dont have it already). problem solved.

[Merli]

See there you have my perfect example of balance

Rich has an awesome R32 GTR that is his "project car", "power car", "weekend car" etc etc... But he also has a very nice Soarer which he takes out for general duties.

Both are nice cars, without a massive disparity in their prices or comfort levels. He could have easily bought a Porsche Boxster and a 1950 Holden Fairlane, but he chose much more wiser options

[N1GTR]

It comes down to personal preference and budget in the end.

As for 'babying' my GTR, yeah i do treat it very well, but it gets thrashed HARD when required and like most GTR owners - it was bought to be driven, and is setup for that. Which means its not very nice on NSW public roads doing the daily grind to and from work.

I personally have 2 15k plus cars, so i guess it would fit into your 'perfect example of balance' right?

I suggested a $500 crapper as its a small amount to part with and not everyone is in the position of being able to purchase and support 2 cars

Once again - personal preference

[Kel]

Someone once said that when you pick up your beautiful new car you should take out a key and scratch it/ or put your foot into the door and make a dent in it/ or do any of the million things out of your control that are more than likely to happen in the life of your ownership of that car......... and get over it.

A bit extreme me thinks, but the comment made me realise that no matter what steps you take, your car will most likely sustain some kind of damage at someone elses hands in the time you own it.

So I choose to drive it every chance I get, be careful where I park it, but realise that it will most likely end up with battle scars, and have an insurance policy to fix it if those scars get extreme.

Another tip: if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, hav a chat to your panel beater about fixing those battle scars while they do the insurance work. They're more than likely to fix them at low to no cost.

[D_I_F]

Omg you guys are really scaring me about car parks..

Ive only ever had one problem.. some guy hit the back of my mums car while i was driving.. but it didnt do any dammage.. at all my bf went crazy..

It also depends how u park and what days and times u go..

[satanic]

Why be all worked up over shopping centre car parks ehh? I'm not going to tell anyone what is the correct way because there is none - you own a car, you drive it out, there is an obvious risk no matter how good a driver you are = FACT!

That is what insurance is for.

I used to be full paranoid about being in a public car park or even on the street... but I soon realized that if it's going to happen, then there's nothing you can do to stop it.

Shopping Centre advice:

* Park between poles

* Park between SMALL cars (Charades, Minis, Civics etc)

* Park away from trolley collection points

* Park away from any main entries (everyone fights for these spots)

* Park on the roof (most remote place of the SC)

* Park away from the lift/s

* Park away from stupidly large vehicles (vans, 4WD, delivery trucks)

* Park in spaces that are against the wall which are parralel

As for the $500 box for shopping... only if you are going to use it as a daily driver to save $$$ on fuel as well. Having one just to go to public domains is not very viable, better off getting a kickass bike with a storage bag in the back for your groceries.