I've been uber careful about avoiding curbs and potholes and parking at the back of lots since getting my 8 in April. Last Monday, I got 4 all-season tires put on my car and they scratched all 4 of my rims putting 'em on. I'm slightly annoyed, but the scratches are minor so it's not worth repairing the rims (they'll likely suffer more abuse this Winter anyway).

Since my car is no longer pristine, I decided I'd stop parking all the way at the back of the lot, figuring it'd be healthy for me to stop obsessing about every little imperfection that can happen to the car (I have a 3-year old and another kid on the way, so it's not like my car has even a remote chance of staying in show-room condition).

So today I parked close to the front. Unable to completely disregard my paranoia, I took a space at the end of the row and parked close to the side farthest from the adjacent space (so that any car that parked next to me would have plenty of room).

How futile.

Yes, my door somehow still got dinged Sigh. Oh well, I guess I'm ready for Winter to do its worst

 

I feel you. No matter how close I park to curbs and other no parking places, cars next to me seem to park even closer sometimes invading my parking space. I'm greedy. That extra space is there for me.. Mine! All mine! I think it helps though.

 

Wow that sucks. Yeah I hate how other people don't look before swinging open their doors, it's very inconsiderate. Especially when they know there's a really nice car parked next to them (I mean it's not like they can completely miss seeing a shiny RX-8 in the next space over). They should make a law stating all cars have to have door edge guards

 

that's my fear too!!!!! the dreadful door dings. Major bummer! sorry you got dinged. Makes you wonder where we can park the car then!! What is it with people?

 

Bummer.

Maybe that's why I bought a Lightning Yellow. There's no way anyone can NOT see it next to them!

 

About a month ago I park at a local walmart to buy some cleaning stuff for the 8. I parked all the way in no-mans land. There were at least 25 parking spots. So some j-a park right on-top of my drivers door. I almost had to get in threw the passenger side.

So, I move my car. Started to drive away and my emotions got the best of me. I got of my car and kicked his drivers mirror off. I felt alittle better. It wasn't my part of town so I don't think He'll ever see my car again.

 

Lol. I didn't some of us 8 drivers were so protective. I'd only do it if I knew he dinged my car. If I caught that guy who ran into my old car and drove off... what ********.

 

i worked at sams and one day i parked my car (saturn all by itself and some j/a parked right up on it so i figured id assist and get im my car and park even closer so he couldnt get in and got my friend to do the same on the other side) needless to say i watched the ****** load up the stuff in his suburban and it was extra funny as he and his wife climbed in through the passengers side.... then i saw the unthinkable he opened his drivers door and started bashing my door with it ...... its a plastic door no dings but i got pissed and took off after his *** he drove away and i chased him in my car and got on the highway and I threw **** at his ***...... (bad case of road rage)... mazda should have the ding resistant panels like the saturn on the 8

 

Three words...license plate number!!!

 

All the new Walmarts around here have security cameras on the lamp posts and tape what goes on 24x7. Not a good place to go Charles Bronson. (that reference should separate the men from the boys)

 

Just look at the rugrats piling out of the back of the SUVs. They fling those doors open fast enough to cause sonic booms. If the parents don't teach them to respect, they won't.

 

Sorry to hear about the wheels and door dings ... I only knew of one person that could mount wheels without scratching them and he was a great find otherwise 99% of the time wheels get dinged up, it sucks that people can't manage to mount them more carefully and beleive me I feel your pain but the truth is the chances of not getting scratched up rims is very slim and rare


As far as the door dings, I just had 2 dings removed by a paintless dent removal service, they did a great job and 99% of the people would never know my car had 2 dings ... you might consider getting it done and they come right to your home or office to do it and the price is relatively cheap at about $125 per ding.

Best of luck !!

 

Good point about the security camera's ... nowadays there are camera's everywhere ... heck I even bought one for my office parking lot to keep an eye on things ... they are so cheap and easy to hook up I am considering getting some around my home.