Now if you are like me, you do your best to obtain a parking spot on the edge of the lot, away from shopping carts, or high trafficy areas. But every once in a while, you just cant help but notice that one car that you just want to park next to...

For me, I always ask myself, if I was the owner of that car, wouldnt seeing a mini parked next to it put a smile on my face?

I will always park next to other minis if available... I trust that all mini owners wont wildly swing open their doors and make contact with neighboring cars. And I really am pleased to leave a store to see another mini parked next to me...


But sometimes, you get a treat...


And other times... well. This has got to be my favorite car to park next to.

A truly mini sized car...

 

Yes a parking success, congrats.

 

Another MINI, yes ... otherwise, as far away from the door-dinging throngs as possible.

 

I've done that before. Mostly with other MINI's but I have a pic of my MINI and a Ferrari 575 somewhere

 

Still don't trust 'em. Maybe if its modded and you can tell, but i'd park next to a vette, or anything that looks 'safe'.

Lets face it a majority of mini drivers I seem to see are younger chicks and quite a few older women, and MOST of the time, they could care less about cars... No thanks lol. These doors can swing wide if not careful...

 

I always try to park next to another mini... i just hope the other owner doesn't think i'm corny for doing it haha

 

We were going to park nose to nose with a little powder blue Honda Fit yesterday just because we thought it would look cute to see them facing each other that way. But...by the time we got turned around in parking lot to do it, some other car slid right in the spot we had our eye on!

 

That is always the hope! I know exactly what you mean...

 

I've had both scenarios happen to me:
Once I parked next to another Mini & the other time a Mini parked next to me.
It definitely put a smile on my face when I came out & saw the car next to mine

 

I try to pick an end space and park close to the edge, but I've had vehicles park over the line and still get close to me. The worst thing is twice I've been blasted by weedeaters trimming grass next to the space ... No door dings yet though.

 

I still find myself parking next to Mini's and trying to pick out what mods they have. I even love try to start convos with owners if they are around and tell them how I used to be an owner. Mini's are one of the only cars ill park the M next to because I trust they care about their cars as much as I do about mine.

 

Jealous of width of those parking lots. Here in San Francisco, you have to "squeeze" out of your door so you're guaranteed to have your car dinged.

 

I always park near a car with no dents in the door. There are lots of Minis here in Calif so my odds are good that I can park next to one.
I don't know why, I just hate to park next to a Prius

 

Covered parking is in short demand at my office so I try to park to the little guy too, lol.

 

Love to slide in next to a MINI. Always stay as far away away from Buicks and minivans of any and all brands because Buick drivers are typically older and many times using walking aids. And they don't think anything of sliding their hands down your car to "balance" themselves (with at least one ring on every finger). Minivans are usually operated by stressed out parents loaded with their children who just don't have time to worry about door dings or scratches. Corvettes, Camaros, and Mustangs - no way. They have biga$$ doors and I don't like to chance it.

 

i knew i wasnt the only one...

 

Every chance I get! And I've got my wife, and even the kids trained.

 

Mostly I park away from everyone. Regardless of the type of car. So far, I'm ding free.

 

+1

 

Sorry for the crappy cell pict...Butters got to park next to his hardtop brother.

 

yes i do everything u guy mention...but i still got 3 ding ..

 

Thats because everyone is talking about strategically parking next to ________.


The only way is to not park next to anyone

 

I always park Cricket WAY far away from other cars if possible & on the end. However, if I see a Mini & a spot is open (a wide spot) next to him, Cricket will slide in to keep him company. And yes, it sure puts a smile on my face! I'll also park next to a really clean ding-free classic car. You can just tell from the condition of the car what kind of owner it has.

 

I always park extremely far away, but once in awhile, I'll luck up and I'll find something nice to keep my MINI company! If exiling myself to asphalt Siberia isn't possible (ie these huge mall parking lots are full), I'll park next to gleamed out choppers, Porsches, Miatas, Jaguars and I've even gotten next to a Lotus and a Ferrari! And I know it sounds counterintuitive, but I'll sometimes park next to these chromed out, polished Ford 150's and King Ranch Editions or other such luxury trucks. Those good ole boys (urban cowboys!) don't want a nick on their ginormous babies plus the ones in my area seem to be a bit more mindful of other cars and my MINI has been safe by them on a number of occasions! I tried to find the photograph of the '10 Chili Red I parked next to awhile back (My Laser Blue next to the Red looked so sharp!). But I did find this one which was about a month ago! The Pepper White looked fantastic next to Neptune (plus, check out the bonus Miata!).

 

If there are no MINIs around, then I look for another brightly colored car to park beside. My Oxy Blue looks lovely beside a bright orange or yellow.