| Author | Message | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1527 Registered: 1-2002 |
Heh heh heh! With the 550, when the doors are unlocked, you have to push the alarm fob button in order for the ignition immobilizer to be disabled. Not doing so will result in all the instruments & warning lights coming on (like normal), the A/C fan blowing, and radio working, but the engine NOT starting. And I don't tell them this. And there is no way they'd know unless they are VERY familiar with modern Ferraris--unlikely in Austin, Texas among the constant-turnover UT undergrad valet parking corps! | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4872 Registered: 12-2000 |
95% of the time I hold the keys unless they ask for them. I don't mind if they take the keys either. | ||
| David (Silverone)
New member Username: Silverone Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2002 |
when you do self park, whether you tip the valet up front or not, do you hold on to the keys?? I think that's the most important part. Even if I park the car myself, but allowing someone else to hold the key kind of defeat the whole purpose of parking the car yourself, as they can always "need to move" the car, and get a test drive out of it. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4863 Registered: 12-2000 |
I have no problem getting my car valet parked. I just point out reverse and the funky parking brake, everything else it's just a car. My experience they take extra good care of it. 75% of the time I just self park it in a valet spot and give the valet a good tip. $50 bottle of wine $100 for food $10-20 for the Ferrari parked front and center where I can see it priceless. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 1521 Registered: 1-2002 |
DJ, great profile photo! Brian, good points. The few times I go out with the 550, I just pull up to the valet guys & ask them if I can just park it up front. I am always really nice & polite, and they always say yes, or suggest a specific spot where they will keep an eye on it. I don't show money up front, but give them some when I give them the key (after making a mental note of the mileage) and some more when we come out. Bart, not sure what being with your lady has to do with this issue... At 41 years old, I am 22 years past having the need to impress anyone, and this would be the case even if I weren't married... | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 3948 Registered: 8-2002 |
Brian, good point about going there before-hand; something everyone should do when going out on a date...  i disagree though, about Porsches not being exotic... | ||
| Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Member Username: Kennedy Post Number: 308 Registered: 3-2002 |
"Women don't see cars as we do, they are just movement devices to get to the next shop faster than walking This is a massive generalisation, but not many go gaga over cars like we do. " Yes, gross generalization. For the opposite point of view, some current pop music gives us: "Girls don't like boys, girls like cars and money. [...] Girls with good bodies, like boys with Ferraris!" As for valet... I valet my non-exotics (BMW, Porsche) as I am sure mine are nothing special to them... but there will NEVER be a valet in my Ferrari. If nothing else, I'm not going to teach them to operate the F1. I just hold out $10 and ask them if I can park it there (pointing at one of the nice spots up front). Haven't been told no yet, but to avoid anything uncomfortable on an important date, you might want to either call ahead or go out there on your own first. | ||
| DJ Geck (Djgecko)
New member Username: Djgecko Post Number: 18 Registered: 4-2003 |
I'll park my own car and walk the distance. Exercise is good for ya! Even in heels! | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Member Username: Psk Post Number: 440 Registered: 11-2002 |
Bart, Why would you be forced to allow some one else to park the Ferrari? I don't get this comment?. What are you trying to say to this woman, that you are a car enthusiast or a rich person. Why not be honest and show her that you are a car enthusiast with money, and class and park your own car. I cannot see why parking you own car, or the fact that you care about your possessions is such a bad thing. Far better than dropping on to your knees and balling your eyes out when the valet guy returns it all smashed up ... er, that might push her away As PeterS stated, I would take a normal car, if you did not want the car to be part of the date. If it was your first date and you wanted a lasting relationship it is probably the best idea anyway ... but if you want a short and dirty fun time then yep, take the Ferrari ... otherwise it will not make any difference ... Women don't see cars as we do, they are just movement devices to get to the next shop faster than walking This is a massive generalisation, but not many go gaga over cars like we do. Pete | ||
| PeterS (Peters)
Member Username: Peters Post Number: 396 Registered: 1-2003 |
I simply drive a different car if I know I will be in a situation where a valet is my only option. Even at that, I do NOT like valet services. I'm sorry, but why trust your car with someone in which that is the best job they can get? Same with carwashes! I will not allow anyone to sit in my car through a carwash. I always have too much 'stuff' I don't want anyone to screw with. | ||
| Drstranglove (Drstranglove)
Member Username: Drstranglove Post Number: 262 Registered: 4-2003 |
I only allow Valet to park mine at extremely reputable establishments. Example, Ritz Carlton Broadmore Hotel Any Five Diamond place. My reason is simple, if they mess it up, they have the resources to repair it. Otherwise, park it your self, or tip $10 and get them to let you put it up close!!!! DrS | ||
| Jason Fraser (Jfraser)
Member Username: Jfraser Post Number: 350 Registered: 3-2001 |
Bart, When I moved to LA, I leased a Benz SUV. Within one month a valet parker scratched the front fender (missed it when the car was returned to me, as they had used a black magic marker to cover up the scrape). The second time nothing was going to hide the screw-up....rear door all the way thru to the tailights, dented and scraped (obviously caught a wall)....In the shop for two weeks. Suggest you drop the lady at the front door, and tell her you're going to park the car...if she's anything like my wife she's going to want to use the powder room as soon as she arrives....By the time she's finished, you'll have parked the car...so technically you never left her...SORTED!! | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 552 Registered: 9-2002 |
NEVER. I have seen first hand what valet's do to cars as I was walking back and saw a valet 'parking' a benz. The tires screeching, body rolling through an underground parking lot with concrete pillars everywhere! Short Answer is no! | ||
| Bart Duesler (The_bart)
Junior Member Username: The_bart Post Number: 57 Registered: 1-2003 |
What should one do if going some place with your woman, you would be force to allow some one else to park the beast? |