What are you doing to "protect" your Mustang in public?

[daSNAK3]

I just park as far back and away as I can and try to not park like a d-bag, stay in the lines and do nothing to draw extra attention. Doesn't always work, sometimes people still park next to you even when there is 69 other spots to use. If I know it's gonna be packed then I leave my car at home. I'll just do a quick walk around and make sure they didn't ding me. I had a person ding me in the past pretty good and caught them trying to leave. He said, oh yea I was just trying to find out whos car this was... sure ya were bud.

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[526 HRSE]

Really? Based on a couple responses it seems plausible. The world is full of irrational hot heads that cant control themselves. Besides, why else you post about carrying when we are talking about door dings?

Peace through strength

 

[ZeroTX]

I always park away from othrr cars snd never park next to a truck. Im fortunate too my gt is 3rd car so i only have 8000 miles on my 2019 so I steer clear of parking lots fir the most part

Same. 7k miles on my 2022, it's in the garage most of the time. Never goes to work, never used to go shopping, etc. For restaurants and going out, I pick spots far away, but highly visible. If they'll let me park myself in an up-front valet spot I will, but I won't let those morons drive my car, because I see how they drive, heh.

 

[Grimmer]

Parking rules:
1) Never park next to grass (never know when the sprinklers will come on)
2) Park at the end of a row and hug the edge (for extra space to open those gigantic doors enough to get my clown feet out)
3) Don't park under trees or lamp posts if it can be avoided.
4) Specifically for lunches/restaurants, park where I can see the car from inside the building.

 

[Bear376]

Nothing you can do is 100% safe. I went to a theme park in my 89 Daytona and someone keyed both sides of the car for no reason other than the desire to vandalize. What is a big problem is the size of parking spaces is usually the smallest they can get by with. With so many large pickups being drive, they barely fit within the lines.

 

[50BMG]

I get more damage parking away than from parking close. People are more likely to do nefarious things when they think they are not being seen.

I think you are probably correct. BUT, it still seems so counter intuitive.
I usually also try and find a spot next to a "greenery island" in the middle of a big parking lot. That way, I can get my tires right up next to the edge of the curb and that leaves much more swing-room for doors on the opposite side of the car. But it never fails, somebody will park their car right on "the line" next to my car, since I left them so much room.
Honestly, if it's a nice car, I don't mind because they are usually doing the exact thing that I am, trying to protect my baby.

 

[ZeroTX]

Nothing you can do is 100% safe. I went to a theme park in my 89 Daytona and someone keyed both sides of the car for no reason other than the desire to vandalize. What is a big problem is the size of parking spaces is usually the smallest they can get by with. With so many large pickups being drive, they barely fit within the lines.

It's infuriating. I remember 20+ years ago I took a girl on a date to Dave & Busters in my Chevy 4x4, came out and I couldn't physically get into my truck due to how close another truck was to it... we were both parked evenly inside the lines. Spaces too small. I never went back to Dave & Busters again and I called to inform management, not that they cared.

Z

 

[Decosse]

My Mustang is a DD, so I don't always have a choice. But every time I have to park in a lot, there is that hunt, lol. Away from other cars- but not too far, at the end of a row by an island, if possible, If not, then next to a carefully parked car.
Once at a large shopping center- you know, islands with trees, nicer chain restaurants and shops around. I parked way out at the edge, and when I had walked halfway to the shop, I turned at some noise and saw a couple of twatwaffles trying to do donuts out where my car was. I ran back and moved my car closer in. So now it goes apart from other cars, but not too far out and someplace visible.
I avoid really windy days. I've had a shopping cart propelled into a car, my G6 had back doors caved in twice from doors being caught by the wind with no note or car (probably kids, as both times it was near the back-wouldn't have blamed or yelled at the kids but would have had a strong discussion with parents)
When my 94 Firebird Formula was new, I parked it in a movie theatre lot far away from others under a light pole. When I came back out there was a cluster of cars in the spaces around it. They were all new or well maintained and parked carefully, so it was a plus. I still kind of like when I come out and find that- looking after each other.
A while back some poster had lost their sh!t about someone parking next to their baby. The photo showed a late model, well cared for compact (not a pos) parked very carefully in the exact center of the space next to it. Some of us thought that was an overreaction, we'd rather have a careful driver who obviously was respecting their own car and yours parking next to us. I always kept my cars spotless and parked properly. When I was younger, I would park (very carefully and leaving plenty of space) next to another nice car, figuring that we'd be protecting each other, never realizing that could trigger someone. It seems now leaving a space between is better, though I'm sure some cretin would cram their "it's just a car" between them.

 

[MAGS1]

Parking rules:
1) Never park next to grass (never know when the sprinklers will come on)
2) Park at the end of a row and hug the edge (for extra space to open those gigantic doors enough to get my clown feet out)
3) Don't park under trees or lamp posts if it can be avoided.
4) Specifically for lunches/restaurants, park where I can see the car from inside the building.

In addition to the sprinklers, never know when the grass will be cut. Seen many a car get covered in grass clippings at various places, those landscaping companies don’t care and will blow leaves and shit all over your car.

 

[Grimmer]

In addition to the sprinklers, never know when the grass will be cut. Seen many a car get covered in grass clippings at various places, those landscaping companies don’t care and will blow leaves and shit all over your car.

Absolutely! The landscapers at work blow shit all over the parking lot, including at the cars. Even had one chump blow it at my car while I was in the car with my windows down...

 

[PVAMT]

A great list, might I add….
15+ years of martial arts training and lots of weapons.

Parking rules:
1) Never park next to grass (never know when the sprinklers will come on)
2) Park at the end of a row and hug the edge (for extra space to open those gigantic doors enough to get my clown feet out)
3) Don't park under trees or lamp posts if it can be avoided.
4) Specifically for lunches/restaurants, park where I can see the car from inside the building.

 

[BlkMach10510]

Absolutely! The landscapers at work blow shit all over the parking lot, including at the cars. Even had one chump blow it at my car while I was in the car with my windows down...

Did you have a discussion with the chump?

 

[gone_n_60]

I park in the furthest row from where I need to go but still that doesnt guarantee anything.

I live in a vacation destination and one day I came outside to find a group of foreigners taking pictures on my car with a chick in a bikini laying over the hood. You can imagine my intense "wtf" reaction

in that case I'd tell them sorry the chick is mine now, throw her in the car and drive!

But seriously now... I don't take my Mustang to shops, events (unless its Cars'n'Coffee) or dining out. I have a VW Passat for that or my truck. When we do road trips with the Mustang I try to be careful and so far so good. I have had people posing next to the Mustang at a Bucee's but not on it. LOL

 

[ViperOne]

I’ve picked up some good pointers and enjoyed all the responses to the owner of this thread. I’m glad I’m in good company and not alone trying to keep the Mustang pristine.

 

[Weyland-Yutani]

I carry comp coverage. I have a 3 channel dash-cam that might help identify a vandal. And, I use common sense when parking.

I try to keep it nice, but as someone suggested earlier: It's not a vintage exotic, it's a Mustang.

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