Moron Magnet

Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!! I had my previous car (a nice little Infinity) for two years. Parked it anywhere there was space. I ended up with one small scratch on the bumper. I've had my Porsche ('02 Coupe) for two months. I park far away from other cars. So far I've got one ding in the rear fender, a stolen license plate frame, a crease in the bumper and a scratch in one of the bumper overiders ! In all cases when I returned to the car there were still no other cars parked nearby. What's your experience ? Is it fate ? Am I being punished for having so much fun driving the car ? Or is a Porsche just a moron magnet ? Thanks for listening, Roger

It's a moron magnet. Mom's in SUV's loooove to park right next to them too.

I park sideways across 2 spots at the far end of the lot at the mall, or at stores. At work I take the back corner spot under a tree, snuggling against the curb, so there is 3 feet of room on my passenger side. Well see how all that effort works out in time

I park my 2000 996 (almost 20,000 miles) the same way I park my other cars and have no problems. By parking the car in a spot where no other cars around you might draw more attention.

Just think what it's like owning a 996 in Athens Greece, with just a handful of Porsches in the country - don't complain regards Kostas <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

I parked my boxtser sideways by a curb farway with cones around it when I first got it. OK so maybe I'm exagerating a lttle (cones), but sure enough within weeks I had a big door ding. The moron magnet thing is true. From there on out, I parked wherever there was a spot and I did fine for 3 years. A few weeks ago, the door got creamed by a runaway shopping cart. Unfortunately, there were no other cars on that side to protect me. I buffed it out and it looks ok. I'm not sure what I am going to do with the new one. Parking at the end of the lot does tend to attract idiots. Probably take the truck and leave the 911 for racing, nice nights out and valet parking (sacry thought)

Knock on wood, nothing yet. I always use sidewalks, 2 spots, or far away locations where lazy morons will not want to park ther car and walk from. My only ding is from a gas pump clicking down really hard when it was done pumping and making a scratch. How come they don't put the leather covers on 996's like they did on the 993's. This would have saved me. I always pump my own gas too.

I call them "wreckers" Lots of them out there. They are people who simply go out of their way to damage something nice for kicks and it makes them feel more adequete. Hey, If I can't have one, I will make sure yours gets ruined. This not only goes for cars, but for nice boats, houses, relationships, jobs, ect...I CANT STAND these people. Sure there are some people with tons of money who LOVE to throw that in others faces, but the majority of people worked really hard in some way or another to get nice things, and laziness of others causes jealously and therefore we pay twice. I had this crazy idea once where there would be a hierarchy not based on money, but on "goodness". Not really religion, but the honest decent people get rewards. Anyhow, the bad thing about parking in a "normal" place is there is often many cars in and out next to you while your inside, but, the car is better hidden. May be safer in BFE, but also draws more attention. I have had 2 dings since new paint. Numerous finger prints (people unknown to me) visable w/ my black car. I've even had a proximity alrm at one point that said step away if someone wascloser than 10 inches to the car. Maybe it needs to be more agressive. "Get the F#$%K away from my car A$^#HOLE. You are on camera and I WILL press charges" .And the best one was driving at a movie theater parking lot, we slowly drove past the front window to see the times of the shows, and a group of 3 teenagers picked up some gravel from the curb and THREW it at my car while I was right there inside, then took off on their bikes. Whatever happended to respect for ANYTHING?? Could be worse I guess. Hasn't gotten stolen, but I sure do have to go out of my way everywhere I go to keep it nice and safe. Maybe Exotic Car parking stickers like motorcycle wth designated plates. Maybe I'll bring that up to legislators. <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" />

I live in northern new jersey,expensive cars are a dime a dozen.Parking spaces aren't. I would never ever take more than one spot-you're just asking for someone to vandalize it. Most people consider a car just transportation and have no emotional attachment. Its not that they hit things on purpose-they just aren't paying attention and don't really care. My 996 is my daily driver, if I absolutely have to go somewhere that will place it in serious jeopardy-I go to Hertz. Even if its just for the day. The 35 dollars spent would'nt even begin to cover the insurance deductable.

While I have been lucky so far with no scratches or dings some lovely sole removed my front license plate, probably for the Porsche frame, without damage. In Mass. we must have front plates and I immediately ordered a replacement, which will take 4 to 6 weeks to produce. In the meantime, I have a permit in the glove box for the front plate, but that will not prevent police who take notice from stopping me, as they have no way of knowing that I have the permit. What a pain. You are right that Porsches are moron magnets, especially on the road, where challenges are frequent. Its a burden that we must endure. Porsche drivers must be passive on the road.

the french invented touch parking - i dread it when i return to the car and see a 20 year old renault/fiat parked infront/behined/next door to my car because gteed the owner will have swung his or her door at max volocity into the side of my car. what have they got too loose - its not worth returning the favour another dink/scratch on thier car isnt going to make much difference is it.....

"Porsche drivers must be passive on the road." Yup, and that is why we always get labeled as snobs, arrogant, ******, holier than thou ect....

So far, fingers crossed, nothing. Maybe that's because I park mostly at places where they know me and my car. In the few instances where I have to go to the mall, grocery store, etc, I do make it a point to park far away from the main area. I don't park in between two spaces, 'cuz I remember somebody who would get so pissed at these "hogs" that he would purposely scratch them. I usually end up parking with the mall/store employees cars since they do park far away, so I am still around cars but don't expect anyone to move soon.

Dom 4471, you've got to get creative with these creeps, another door ding won't matter but I bet they wish they had air in their tires. Anyway I usually park as far as possible but not on the fringes. Most people are too lazy to walk and will always park close, but I usually am in and out pretty quick. Never would I go to the Mall or any shopping area were I'll be inside for an extended period of time. How could I relax?