Do you pull it all the way in so that others are fooled thinking there is an open parking spot?

or

Do you make sure your boot is visible to all?

I usually leave my boot out, but if I'm getting in between two large trucks, I'll pull all the way up.

 

i pull up.. it always looks as though i dont know where the front of my car is if i leave it out too far.. But i always leave a foot or so to the parking block just so its nowhere near the bumper.. The majority of the time i park out in the middle, or nowhere near other cars so I rarely have the choice lol

 

If i had to think that much about parking my car,i would never leave home.Q

 

I usually compromise between the two. That said, I have a multi-tiered system for parking slot selection that is quite complex.

 

I like to back in when I can, cause I think the front is the best view. But when I do pull in I try not to pull in all the way, I don't want anyone to think there's an open spot and accidentally bump her!

 

I dunno... my MINI's rear end is pretty hot.

 

I'm with atcql on this one. I try not to think about it too much.

 

...in an end spot, giving a wide berth to the neighboring space, boot partially out, and usually in the most remote location in the lot available. Never did this with any other car, but it's been a habit with the MINI. It's the OCD. As with gokartride, I have a mental checklist that I use to make a selection, which has caused me to circle in the ramp and more than once almost miss a departing flight at the airport.

The side benefit is the amount of time I have to admire it with an unobstructed view as I make the long trek back to the car -- always trying to fight back an s-eating from my face.

 

I'm the same way. If I have to park it between two other cars I'm worried the entire time I'm away from the car. It's bad.

 

yup i almost always park way out in the back 40 or park nxt to a curb there usually the bigger spots

 

Yep. I do the same thing. I even have a favorite spot at work that's on the end and very wide. Plus, I can see it from inside the building. If I park it anywhere else, I'm worried it's been stolen or dented. I know the MINI is small and can fit into tiny spots between other cars, but just thinking about putting my car in that situation is awful!

 

Ditto, I love it because the wife hates parking in the back so we usually take her car

 

Door dings are one hazard.....beware of others.

Avoid:
-anyplace a bird can perch
-sprinklers
-guys w/ weed-wackers/leaf blowers
-trees (multiple hazards)

 

Good points by all.

My main fear lately has been door dings.
Since the car is small I notice doors being slung open by other cars more freely because they think they have so much more room.

I have witnessed some close calls due to this ignorance.

 

I ALWAYS "combat park" -- back end in first, nose out -- for quick getaways and good visibility. It drives me crazy how little people pay attention to movements in parking areas. I also park as far forward in the spot as possible -- so that nobody mistakes it for an empty spot, considering how much room is left with the MINIs! I hate it when you're trolling for a space (like at the airport parking garages?) and think you've found "rock star parking!" only to discover some itty bitty car schmuck parked as far IN as possible and the spot's taken. *sigh*

 

I don't like to park under trees or anywhere birds are. I try my hardest not to park next to big trucks; they're all lifted here, which is ridiculous because -- hello? -- when was the last time you needed mud tires and 4WD in the Bay Area? If I'm parking next to a car that's considerably longer than the MINI, I'll make sure the boot is visible because I'm paranoid that someone will think it's an empty spot and barrel in at 100mph and hit me. Plus, I hate it when I think there's an empty spot only to find out that it's some lame Miata that pulled up so far the bumper's scraping the curb.

 

I park at the ends...I get my 1.5 mile walking exercise in..

During the holidays, I stay in the car...

I parallel park in two spots or I angle park backing in or I drive around the whole mall four times.

People have no respect for other people's cars...I hate door dings...period.
I'm that way with the 07 VW Beetle Convertible also.

 

I park anywhere, next to anyone. It doesn't matter anymore. But I do line the rear of my car up with the car to my right. Even if they are a huge truck that is sticking out of the spot I still line up with it. One of the early pieces of MINI literature said you don't want to create a phantom spot, it isn't "good motoring mojo," and that "flaunting one's small size by pulling all the way up just isn't MINI style."

 

Park with plenty of space around, backed in, and next to another MINI, if possible...

 

Until that first door ding appears I will continue to display the OCD tendencies (I know what you mean Gil-galad). Let also add to the list:

1) Not parking on a sloped parking lots, lest a door flop open added by gravity or shopping cart takes a run across the parking lot.

2) never parking next to a beater (they don't care if something happens to their car).

3) Avoiding parking next to two door cars (doors are longer and heavier, they can reach out and put a nice crease in your door).

 

I try to park as far away from people as I can. I also try to avoid light poles and trees - it seems birds like to perch on these and poop all over on whatever is underneath.

After picking up several door dings (ironically my car came from San Francisco and was PERFECT until it got here ), I try hard not to drive the MINI if I know I'll be going someplace with a parking lot. I'll use one of my other cars.

 

Ditto.....I try to park by Mini's when they are around and I also never drive my Mini to my grandmom's place anymore. Someone in a beater opened their door into mine and cost me $85 plus touch up paint to get her back to good. *shakes head*

 

I park Molly out in BFE!! AND if someone dares to park near by!!?? (Unless it's another MINI of course!!)

 

ran into a lady at trader joes parking lot today,w/ps/b justacooper clubman.parked next to her, i said nice car she smiled and then i noticed her head&ring was damaged.she said she paralled park behind a truck, and he backed into it while she was away

 

Funny, just talked about this today. My Boo-tay is out. Started doing that since that one time I thought there was a parking spot open and realized when I came around the mammoth SUV that there was a MINI exactly like mine parked there. I envisioned how sucky that would have been to hit it and realized that if I could make that mistake, so could others.

Other than that, I pretty much park anywhere.