[Easton5150]

Ok, I've had my new C7 for just under a week and I can't be more happy about this car than I am. However, I seem to hyperventilate when I think of parking the car in some parking lot where I can't park far away from everyone and risk the possibility of some jack wagon dinging my car. Anyone else have this constant fear? Help me overcome this so I can feel free to go anywhere and park anywhere without constantly worrying that someone will ding my beauty.

 

[rdslon01]

I jokingly told my wife that when I get mine, I will close my eyes, intentionally whack the left rear quarter panel with a baseball bat to just go ahead, get a dent in, and forget about it. Then I should be able to relax about it.

As she so often does, she told me I am an idiot. "Don't be an idiot, Pie." I hear that all the time...

 

[jsvette]

What was your experience with your other cars? I always try to find an end of row spot so I cut the possibility in half. I take my Stingray every where including Lowes, Costco, restaurants etc., and so far have not had any problem (since Oct 29th when I picked her up). But then again I have not had any dings with my XTS or other cars, knock on wood. I really don't spend a lot of time fretting over it. Try and park with care and if something happens know you can get it repaired. Enjoy the heck out of your Stingray!

 

[glen e]

Park on the end, walk a bit and pick nice cars next to you if possible

Other than that, quit worrying....if it gets dinged, it's hundreds to fix like it never happened, perfectly matched....

 

[Liner Boy]

I agree with Glen e. Park it out and take a walk. That said, i once had a reserved parking spot next to a Porsche 911. I started seeing all of the dings on my door and could not figure out where they were coming from. surely not the 911. You guessed it, the 911.. So, I park by nice cars but not Porsche's. They have long doors...

 

[smajicek]

I am wondering if doing xpel film on the doors would be a good idea? has anyone done that?

 

[bmealey]

Just curious, I've never owned a vette and my C7 has not arrived yet. There is no sheet metal on the doors and panels right? Does this make them easier or harder to dent than normal cars?

 

[smajicek]

Are they still fiberglass?

 

[Liner Boy]

Composite


Sent from my iPad using Corvette Stingray Forum

 

[mjw930]

Just curious, I've never owned a vette and my C7 has not arrived yet. There is no sheet metal on the doors and panels right? Does this make them easier or harder to dent than normal cars?

They don't dent, they will chip and if hit hard enough they will crack. They are a composite, probably pressure molded so it would take a lot to crack them but you would get nicks from the door hits since the paint is weaker than the skin.

 

[rdslon01]

I am wondering if doing xpel film on the doors would be a good idea? has anyone done that?

That is a good question. I would imagine for a small ding it could help. But for a large deflection, I wonder if the paint could still crack as Mark mentioned above.

 

[MrG69]

Just got my new Ray, but it's my 3rd Vette. So, From my experience I would second opinions above and add (in prioritized order...

1) park far out
2) park at end of row,
3) preferably an end with some type of end cap or better yet, a corner where you can angle away from the car next to you
4) never park across spots (this invites attention by vandals)
5) go up (or down, whichever is more inconvenient) a couple of extra decks in garages
6) don't park next to Junkers
7) don't park next to coupes (longer doors)
8) don't park next to minivans
9) don't park next to commercial vehicles


MrG 69
Soon to be the proud owner of my 3rd Vette, a CGM/Kalahari 7sp Z51 2LT Coupe w NPP, CF Mirrors/Spoiler and BC Roof
** Sent from mobile using Corvette Stingray Forum **

 

[ALF01]

Just got my new Ray, but it's my 3rd Vette. So, From my experience I would second opinions above and add (in prioritized order...

1) park far out
2) park at end of row,
3) preferably an end with some type of end cap or better yet, a corner where you can angle away from the car next to you
4) never park across spots (this invites attention by vandals)
5) go up (or down, whichever is more inconvenient) a couple of extra decks in garages
6) don't park next to Junkers
7) don't park next to coupes (longer doors)
8) don't park next to minivans
9) don't park next to commercial vehicles


MrG 69
Soon to be the proud owner of my 3rd Vette, a CGM/Kalahari 7sp Z51 2LT Coupe w NPP, CF Mirrors/Spoiler and BC Roof
** Sent from mobile using Corvette Stingray Forum **

Agree with all the above.

And...if possible, park on the passenger side of the car next to you. All cars have a driver, not all have a passenger.

Regards,
Al aka "Sheldon"

 

[MrG69]

Agree with all the above.

And...if possible, park on the passenger side of the car next to you. All cars have a driver, not all have a passenger.

Regards,
Al aka "Sheldon"

Ahh, yes! I missed that one but totally should have included it, up high on list.


MrG 69
Soon to be the proud owner of my 3rd Vette, a CGM/Kalahari 7sp Z51 2LT Coupe w NPP, CF Mirrors/Spoiler and BC Roof
** Sent from mobile using Corvette Stingray Forum **

 

[spaceaholic]

One other element to be cognizant of that can reduce some risk - wind direction and the potential for gusts that can either result in issues as you or the individual parked next to you open their door. If you have to park next to another vehicle or object make sure the vehicle's nose is pointed into the wind.

 

[mjw930]

Great, now I need to carry a wind vane and an anemometer around with me

 

[MrG69]

One other element to be cognizant of that can reduce some risk - wind direction and the potential for gusts that can either result in issues as you or the individual parked next to you open their door. If you have to park next to another vehicle or object make sure the vehicle's nose is pointed into the wind.

Was this a serious suggestion?


MrG 69
Soon to be the proud owner of my 3rd Vette, a CGM/Kalahari 7sp Z51 2LT Coupe w NPP, CF Mirrors/Spoiler and BC Roof
** Sent from mobile using Corvette Stingray Forum **

 

[rdslon01]

One other element to be cognizant of that can reduce some risk - wind direction and the potential for gusts that can either result in issues as you or the individual parked next to you open their door. If you have to park next to another vehicle or object make sure the vehicle's nose is pointed into the wind.

He is serious. If the rear of a car is facing upwind, then a gust of wind can pull doors fully open and cause them to strike the adjacent car even if the driver is trying to be careful and only partially open the door. If the car is parked nose to the wind, a gust will close the door instead of flinging it open.

So make sure the other vehicle's nose is pointed into the wind if you park in an extremely windy area.

 

[Chip]

One other element to be cognizant of that can reduce some risk - wind direction and the potential for gusts that can either result in issues as you or the individual parked next to you open their door. If you have to park next to another vehicle or object make sure the vehicle's nose is pointed into the wind.

Not door related, but...I saw this yesterday in a Walmart lot. The wind (pretty strong at the time) grabbed a loose cart and rolled it across the parking lot then slammed it into a parked car @ speed. I don't know if there was any dent damage, but I am sure the car was at least scratched badly.

 

[Liner Boy]

I had this happen a few years ago to my wife's CTS in a Lowes parking lot $200 to get the dent removed. Another reason not to go to Wally World.


Sent from my iPad using Corvette Stingray Forum