On this day in 1959, Tokyo installed its first parking meter in front of the Metropolitan Government building (near what is now the Tokyo International Forum) in Yurakucho. The cost was ¥10 for 15 minutes. Around the same time, Tokyo also opened its first paid parking lot, near Tokyo Station. For those who care about their cars, parking is always a fraught exercise. Do you circle the lot for a wider spot at the end of a row, or just go for the closest? Do you avoid trees? Are you allergic to paying for a spot? If not, do you ever let a valet touch your car? We know you must have some hard and fast rules for temporarily leaving your car.
What are your rules for parking your car in public?
The most entertaining comment by next week will receive a prize. Scroll down to see the winner of last week’s QotW, “What car separates seasoned car enthusiasts from the superficial?“.
Let’s start with the responses with the most most general criteria and then get specific. What separates a seasoned car enthusiast from a superficial one, for streetspirit, is the ability to see the fun in any type of car. For Franxou, it’s the love you put into the car, and for Kyuusha Corner it’s whether you work on the car.
Valuing the speed or price of the car above all other qualities is a sure sign, of a superficial enthusiast, according to many responses. In fact, TheJWT, a true one will instead talk about all their car’s flaws but love it anyway. Alan pointed out it’s an appreciation for the cars that don’t shout, and Negishi no Keibajo pretty much excluded any car with a laundry list of carbon fiber baubles.
As KMMinLaPlata reasoned, a seasoned enthusiast can see the beauty in a car viewed by most as mundane. Now let’s get to the meat and the specific cars that only a seasoned enthusiast would like. nlpnt said it was cars with a short hood like the kei cars and Honda Fit, a car Ian G. also identified. 4non chose another Honda, the City, while Bryan Kitsune called out the Toyota Starlet and Sammy B the Toyota Previa. Jonathan P. had a list of interesting cars, including the Geo Metro and E110 Corolla. Of corse, one answer is always Miata, as nominated by Grinhell and this week’s winner, Taylor C.:
Since we’re all drinking the Hatorade, I’ll spend a quick paragraph to rip on those posers as well: the ones who get their oil changes done at the dealer, the ones who like to trash talk other cars’ technical specifics as if they have first-hand experience (but only know from their internet research), the ones who solely buy to flip (many of those on “that” auction site).
I could go on, but I believe you’ve already had a QotW focused on what separates a true enthusiast from a poser; therefore let me elaborate on how the Miata is the car that differentiates the reals from the posers. It is the most raced car around, it has one of the lowest horsepower ratings around, it is celebrated by a diverse age range (high school kids clapping them out to retired couples doing their Sunday drives, and everyone in between), it is fun out of the box or correctly modified, it’s an excellent car to learn how to wrench, it’s not a car people take pictures to maintain their social media presence, the car doesn’t get bought to be flipped (as far as I know), the Miata community (no matter what region) is definitely down to earth and meet-ups are more to share and less to show off, and the Miata humbles you.
Omedetou, your comment has earned you a set of decals from the JNC Shop!
Do you circle the lot for a wider spot at the end of a row, or just go for the closest?
* I tend to park far away. Close to the door has more traffic/pedestrians so more chances of mishaps or delays. Far away is easier when leaving and I can often pull through. More healthy to walk the extra steps too.
Do you avoid trees?
* I live in a very sunny place so I seek out trees/shade. Bird poop can be washed off, and sun damage is cumulative and cannot be washed off.
Are you allergic to paying for a spot?
* Very. I actively avoid dense urban areas where this is common and will even walk a few blocks if necessary.
If not, do you ever let a valet touch your car?
* Not usually going places so fancy as would have a valet, but if I did I wouldn’t be thrilled about it. Family can drive it sometimes but even then I feel a little off afterward.
Other items
* At home I usually back in since I have a lot of practice aligning with the landmarks in that spot but out in the wild I rarely do.
* Always put up the sunshade even in winter
* Always use the parking brake
* I dabbled in car covers at one point and decided I didn’t like to use them.
* Need more garage space but have to make do with what I’ve got.
Corner spot in the shade for warmer weather. Underground in colder times, corner spot of course. Trees not big concern depending on type and season as they provide the aforementioned shading. Make sure to be away from foot traffic. Keep spare change out of sight. Sunshade to protect dash panel and another to protect leather seating. Parking fees inevitable but avoid to best of ability. Also avoid parallel parking on any street especially in club or restaurant districts. Never valet except for downtown Manhattan.
Know destination in advance, stake out best possible parking situation via google maps or other programs.
Take note of adjacent cars when parking in between as precaution for accidents. The type of car and condition it is in can tell you about how safe you will be parking next to them.
If it requires a further walk to secure a better parking spot, do it. You were born with legs for a reason.
When all these points checks out, and the same cars are still beside you as when you left – can breathe out some relieve.
I always park at the back of a parking lot where its generally empty. After years, I’ve finally gotten my wife to embrace the practice as well. A few extra steps for peace of mind is always worth it.
Since I work in retail I try to park among other employees who’ll be there for several hours and not in among the customers who come and go constantly all day. And definitely avoid parking next to the cart corral!
Rules for parking:
Make sure it’s inside the lines on all sides and not (too) crooked. If one of these parameters isn’t met, adjust vehicle until satisfactory.
I generally don’t have many rules for parking. In lots, I’ll park as far away from other people as possible but that’s about it. My cars get street parked all the time. They get put in the college parking lot. I take them to the grocery store. If they get dinged it’s whatever. They’ve got plenty of those already. I’m not going to worry about a little wear and tear. They were built to be driven and I find joy in driving them. Maybe I’ll get my Z PDRed one day and then I’ll care more. Probably not.
Like Jonathan says, be centered (in all directions) in your spot to best leave room for others to avoid door dings & bumper scratches. I had a low sports car that had a pretty long door that was hard to control so I keep a cloth rag to use as a door edge bumper to this day.
I back my car into spaces probably 75% of the time. It’s much easier pulling out when everyone else drives trucks and SUVs
If we take my Crown out for an ice cream date I park strategically for maximum showoff-ness