I've left the MINI at Washington Dulles in both of the Daily Garages for stretches from 3 to 5 days with no problems. Last time I parked in Daily Garage 2 (the newest of the two) I was next to another Cooper when I left. I've also left the car in the Long Term lot at Washington National for 3 days with no problems either.

 

NO.

 

Nope - I know it's a car but I'm the kind of person who will immediately get a scratch or dent fixed and if I can minimize the chance of that happening and subsequently save myself a few bucks (large unattended parking lot with people and large bags in a hurry) I'll do it. Going to an island called Isla Mujueres next month for a few weeks and will not be leaving the MINI in the SEA long term lot. It will be safely stowed in my in-laws garage.

 

No...but I don't like leaving my car anywhere for long periods of time. :smile:

 

It depends on the price for parking, and if somebody can pic me up and drop me off.

Motor on.

 

Problem solved!
At both JFK and LGA, Newark and Hartford airports there is a long term car lot/service called Avistar. If you sign up as a corporate customer (first year free, $15 thereafter) you can have your car parked inside a parking garage while you are on your trip.
Avistar also provides a free shuttle to and from their parking facility to your airlines. Upon returning from your trip, as soon as you get your baggage you call Avistar on their toll free number, they come pick you up. By the time you arrive your car is waiting out front, key in the ignition, washed if you make the request, and your bill is automatically charged for your parking, no waiting in line, just drive home.
I have been using Avistar for about 5 years now and very happy with their service.
Check them out at http://www.avistarparking.com
Avistar has very, very extensive security at all their locations.
That said though, I don't drive my Mini to the airport, I drive my 11 year old Mazda B2200 PU Truck.

 

No, but that's just me.

I love driving it, but I hate parking it. I'm not afraid to downshift or drive it hard, but I trust no one. I'm happiest when my MINI is in my garage when I'm not driving it.

Yeah, it's a car, but to me it's not "just" a car. I love my car. I've liked other cars, but this is the only new car I've ever owned--the only one I ever wanted. There's no other car I'd rather have. And it seems that there's something about the MINI (maybe that it's so distinctive) that brings out the vandal in certain personality types; the longer it's parked somewhere out of my sight, the more nervous I get.

 

I'm trying to figure out how your employer can dictate how you get to the airport? What if you didn't own a car? Or you only owned 1 car and you had to leave it at home for your wife (who is too busy working to drop you off)? they still have to pay for you to get to the airport!

I wouldn't be an *** but i'd go to your boss and explain that you don't want to (or can't) leave it at the airport. And go in with receipts from your last few trips and show how it's not as expensive (or possibly) cheaper by using a car service.


I know some people won't understand this but some of us just can't stand to leave our cars in crowded mall parking lots or long term parking! Yeah it is just a car, and if it was in an accident I'd be happy that it saved my life, but i want to take car of it at other times.

I dunno, first new car that I paid for 100% myself, been 1 year and i still wash it almost every week and waxing it once a month (weather permitting). Yes I am still silly over this car.

 

When you're a car fanatic, most cars don't become just another way to get from point A to point B. Especially with the ones you own. You'll drive them and have a lot of fun with them but - when possible - you may find yourself doing things to help prolong or preserve the life of the car for many more years to come. Afterall, it's a large chunk of change for most people - why take it for granted and join the millions of others who don't take car of their cars? I take care of my mini because I want the car to last and cars - like anything else these days - WILL last longer if you take care of them.

haf :smile:

 

>>I don’t get it but I am sure that some of you will set me straight. The last time I looked, a MINI was just a car. Paint, plastic, rubber, glass, metal and a few more manufactured materials not previously mentioned. Nothing more. This thread is about long term airport parking like there is some kind of diabolical scheme to damage your beloved car. Then there is the thread about valet parking and the fears that the valet may damage the car or drive it in a manner that you find objectionable. And make sure you don’t downshift and use the engine for braking when coming to a stop for you may cause undue wear and tear on the clutch and gearbox. The MINI is a fun car and I enjoy mine a lot, but it is just a car, a tool to get you from point A to point B and have a lot of fun in the middle. If you are going to worry about any subsequent damage you may sustain by using your MINI as a means of transportation then I suggest you park the car in your garage and put a cover over it. It should be O.K. there for years to come!

well gee there some of us happen to like the MINI a little more than u do, in my case A HELL-UVE LOT MORE... I like my cars looking nice and neat and new if it means taking a little effort to keep it looking that way I will do it. I dont want dents and scratchs on my car makes it look ugly! it downgrades the car. I mean would u looke at a nice new shiny car or a old scratched up beat up one? whats worth more? And dont say that because we go through all this extra trouble means that we arnt enjoying the car to its full extent. IT IS takeing care of my car is my definition of enjoying the car.

 

>>
>>well gee there some of us happen to like the MINI a little more than u do, in my case A HELL-UVE LOT MORE... I like my cars looking nice and neat and new if it means taking a little effort to keep it looking that way I will do it. I dont want dents and scratchs on my car makes it look ugly! it downgrades the car. I mean would u looke at a nice new shiny car or a old scratched up beat up one? whats worth more? And dont say that because we go through all this extra trouble means that we arnt enjoying the car to its full extent. IT IS takeing care of my car is my definition of enjoying the car.
>>

Come back in about 30 years when you have bought more than one new car in your life before you start making such statements. I too enjoy keeping my vehicles clean, waxed and well maintained, however I am not afraid of using my vehicles for their intended purpose, transportation. I would be happy to meet with you at any time as I too live in San Diego County and we could compare our automobiles as to their respective conditions, you may be surprised!

_________________
2003 Chili Red/White MCS, sport pack w/white wheels, cold weather pack, black leather w/anthracite dash, DVD-based Navigation w/OBC, HK sound, MFSW, PDC, rain sensing wipers & auto dim mirror.

 

I do it all the time...it's insured, plus it's not exactly a 911 Turbo, which I parked to one time, figured they would take that ride first, lol !

 

Yes I have left my MCS for up to one day many times. No problems. I try to park next to cars that are double the price of mine.

 

Yes, whenever I have to...which is about 12 - 15 times a year. I use the private satellite lots (the ones where you get to park your own car and then have a shuttle drive you to/from the terminal). In Boston, those are the safest lots for personal and vehicular safety.

I agree with the comments about it being a car and thus needing to fulfill a transporation mission. If I was afraid to drive and park it, I wouldn't own it. Also for those folks going on about the "legality" of an employer dictating what they reimburse for airport transport...at least here in the USA there aren't any "laws" about this, just individual company policies. Most employers are reasonable and flexible if they want to engender employee loyalty...but if they aren't, well, there's no "law" that covers this. Basically, if they pay you for some way to get there/back, that's suffient. Bus fare would also suffice. And I for one (employer) wouldn't be particularly happy to have an employee demand a more expensive means of transport over another if the issue was protecting their car. As an employer, my policy is that the employee will take "the least expensive means feasible". I find this more useful and respectful of an employee's common sense than outright barring particular means of transport. But if a car service WAS more expensive, I may bend once but after that would start thinking about sending someone else on the trip. IMO.

 

parking at the airport is no less safe than parking downtown on a friday night

 

^ ^

 

Thanks to all for the advice. I know that it is just a "car" but after hitting the one year mark without any dings/dents, I tend to get overprotective about my MC. Moreover, I was also a little upset about having to drive because I usually take the red-eye back from California. When I get off of the plane, I am dead tired. Therefore, the last thing I want to do is drive!

 

If you worked for me, daniel1, and gave me the reason related to the red-eye, I'd have no problem authorizing the car service. :smile:

 

Thanks. Any openings?? (lol)

 

>>Come back in about 30 years when you have bought more than one new car in your life before you start making such statements. I too enjoy keeping my vehicles clean, waxed and well maintained, however I am not afraid of using my vehicles for their intended purpose, transportation. I would be happy to meet with you at any time as I too live in San Diego County and we could compare our automobiles as to their respective conditions, you may be surprised!
>>

maybe... u might have better luck than i do with parking then... cuz i for sure dont... my camry is used as a daily and that i still pick and choose my parking spaces and park in the safest spots possible and not in between two cars. I will drive that car to places i wont in the MINI and that car has over 5 door dings on it even when i am careful. so thats why when u say u just park and not care i would expect u to have lots more door dings... but if u say u dont then WOW i'm impressed... i sure am bad luck with door dings... But 4 months in the MINI and no door dings... so Imma continue to be cautious, its worth it to me.

 

>>>>
>>
>>so thats why when u say u just park and not care i would expect u to have lots more door dings... but if u say u dont then WOW i'm impressed... i sure am bad luck with door dings... But 4 months in the MINI and no door dings... so Imma continue to be cautious, its worth it to me.

I don’t remember ever saying that I just park and don’t care. There are no dents, dings or scratches on any of my vehicles. I have a reputation among family and friends as being extremely **** with my vechicles. I just keep in mind the primary function of my vehicles is transportation. That does not mean that I don’t choose my parking spots with care.

_________________
2003 Chili Red/White MCS, sport pack w/white wheels, cold weather pack, black leather w/anthracite dash, DVD-based Navigation w/OBC, HK sound, MFSW, PDC, rain sensing wipers & auto dim mirror.

 

Just say no!

 

No!

 

>>I don’t get it but I am sure that some of you will set me straight. The last time I looked, a MINI was just a car. Paint, plastic, rubber, glass, metal and a few more manufactured materials not previously mentioned. Nothing more. This thread is about long term airport parking like there is some kind of diabolical scheme to damage your beloved car. Then there is the thread about valet parking and the fears that the valet may damage the car or drive it in a manner that you find objectionable. And make sure you don’t downshift and use the engine for braking when coming to a stop for you may cause undue wear and tear on the clutch and gearbox. The MINI is a fun car and I enjoy mine a lot, but it is just a car, a tool to get you from point A to point B and have a lot of fun in the middle. If you are going to worry about any subsequent damage you may sustain by using your MINI as a means of transportation then I suggest you park the car in your garage and put a cover over it. It should be O.K. there for years to come!


Ok jerry but u see this post made it sound like u dont care jack dittly squat about your cars and now u say u care soooo much about it... you see my confusion? before u just say its metal glass palstic and such to get me from point a to point b thats not what a typical car person would say... Right??? a typical car person wont pick their spots... just the closest spot maybe.. maybe wash and wax once a year but you say you're "extremely ****?" Ummmmm ok.

 

>>
>>Ok jerry but u see this post made it sound like u dont care jack dittly squat about your cars and now u say u care soooo much about it... you see my confusion? before u just say its metal glass palstic and such to get me from point a to point b thats not what a typical car person would say... Right??? a typical car person wont pick their spots... just the closest spot maybe.. maybe wash and wax once a year but you say you're "extremely ****?" Ummmmm ok.

I can see where you are coming from. What I was endeavoring to do was point out is that a car is just a material object with an intended purpose. When you say I am not a car person that is not true. I retired in 2001 at age 53 after 37 years in the automobile business in San Diego with the last 30 with one BMW dealership. I love cars and I am always in the process of searching for my next acquisition. I have a ’04 BMW M3 on order and I am anxiously waiting for the new BMW M5 that is due out in a little over a year. My experience with BMW tells me to be leery of the first year’s production as they quite often caused us the most problems initially so a M5 for me is at least two years away. Whereas I may drive my high performance cars hard and fast I am not hard on them cosmetically. I take great pride and care of my cars, I just try and not lose perspective as to their intended use.