Do you park and go eat?

I always park out, but still where the car can be seen. Unless I can get a front spot.
Never park close and take up two spaces.
Most of the time people are always taking pics of the car, so I don't worry about it.
I don't take it out at night, unless I can valet or see the car.

 

Never valet your car. Ask to park it yourself in front and give them a 20 or whatever is appropriate.

 

Park and forget it, if something happens that's what insurance is for.

 

I've done it in the past with a group of people with ferraris.

 

I agree you should park it on the street and not worry too much as it is only a car. However, if the car is damaged and insurance fixes it, having the incident/accident on your Carfax report will kill value and it's unlikely that any diminution of value claim you submit to your insurance co. will make up the difference. Ask me how I know.

Just something to keep in mind. Sad to say, but if my car's in a wreck, I hope it's totaled out. Give me a big check and I'll buy another one with a clean Carfax.

 

I park and go eat, but like others here, I try to sit where I can keep an eye on it.

 

I "preview" the place with a DD. That means the access, the parking and the chance to also keep an eye on it, which is very rare! Then I return with the Ferrari another time if it meets muster. Sort of a hassle but I have found that the right parking structure can be key to many food choices and mix in a little walk to keep piece of mind.

 

Google Maps and Street View are your friends!

 

Life is too short to worry about such things. All I care is that the car is restored to previous condition, I couldn't care less about the next guy trying to buy it - I didn't buy it for him.

 

I don't drive mine at night anymore. I quit a couple years ago. Too many bad situations. I UBer.

 

I take my 430 to Whole Foods to go shopping. The biggest issue is people delaying you to talk or ask questions, etc. Most people appreciate seeing it out and driven. I'm sure it depends on the area, etc.

Downtown I have a garage, but I still take it out wherever. I just park in a good lot/spot or tip the valet and park it in front. I'm not a huge fan of the latter though because it tends to get everyone in the restaurant/place looking at the "Ferrari" guy coming in etc. which I don't care for personally.

On the other hand, I've seen BMWs keyed in certain parts of town, so it just depends. I would try to steer clear of places with late nights and drunk people walking by...

 

Again, I agree that you should drive the car and not worry too much about it. It is good to be informed, however, of what can happen with Carfax reports. In my case, I could have saved myself about $15,000-$20,000 on resale if I would have just driven away from a minor incident caused by another driver instead of filing a police report. Life is short, but life is better with an extra $15-$20k in your pocket.

 

I take mine out (date night's, sporting events etc.) all the time and never give it a second thought.

 

I use to park mine at amusement parks and Wal-Mart parking lots... When you just park it and do not make a big deal about it, people act relatively normal, I find the overly dramatic types are the ones that attract the negative attention from others.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I've maintained relationships with the valets at a number of restaurants around town and they always let me park my car and will often move another car so I can have the better spot when I arrive.

I definitely tip, but not crazy... what's more important is spending a few minutes each time I arrive/leave to chat with the guys.

If we're having dinner somewhere where there's no valet or just "bad" parking, I'll drive one of my other cars as I don't want to deal with a door ding or worse.

At my normal places, I have no concerns because the cars are well watched.
At the other places, I have no concerns because my car isn't there.

 

park normally. don't take up too spaces. use common sense. park a little further if need be. life too short not to have fun.

 

Go to McDrive and eat in your car, problem solved

 

In many instances our cars have become "Point A to Point A" cars. Meaning that you leave for a drive ~ and come back to your departure point when done - without ever stopping.

Sad but true.

I do drive mine on occasion to dinner or over to friends places. But I do consider the parking situation before hand. I think like others said you just need to be aware, use your head & look for that end spot.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yeah I park and eat IN THE CAR. Lol!

I park it where I can see it on questionable areas otherwise I'll just park it.

 

I take my Italia almost anywhere, although not everyday. I always check out the places I want to go ahead of time to see what kind of parking they have. I tend to frequent the places with the best parking.

I've gone to some places that offer valet, and I when I pull up I just ask them if they have someplace I can park...they always let me park up front so I tip when I get out of the car. Never had a problem. Last time the valet complained when I left that I didn't stay long enough as the car was attracting a lot of people.

I take it to Target and even the pet store. I tend to park more in the open towards the end of the isles, and never have had a problem.

Only scare I really had was at a Potbellys once - I parked way away from all other cars, and a big SUV pulled up and parked next to me. I was looking out the window and saw the car door fly open without anyone one holding onto it and about a 5 year old kid jumped out. Luckily I was parked far enough from the line it didn't hit my car. I thought about saying something, but decided it wouldn't do any good. I was just pissed that there were 20 spaces closer to the door, yet he had to park right next to me and let the kid fly out of the back seat.

Stopped last Saturday with my girlfriend at a little ice cream / dairy drive in. We decided to go at the last second as we passed by so I stopped quick and downshifted quickly. All of the backfires and engine revs created a little attention, but no one seemed to care other then my girlfriend who felt embarrassed. We got out and everyone was respectful.

Over a year later no dings or marks.

 

I do at least once a week. That why I bought it. I park it up front and try to grab a nice table outside. Here in Orlando on my side of town it's no big deal. If I'm in the tourist area it gets a little nuts with people taking pics and surrounding the car.

 

If you aren't going to use it as a car, what's the point?

Here she is waiting for me to return. It didn't melt. Wasn't abused or stolen. Hell, nobody could figure out how to start it, even if they had the key!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I drive my car everywhere on the weekends as long as I know the area I'm going.
If possible, I park far away or at end spot. Funny thing is when I park far away, usually there's another car that parked next to me!
I have lots of pics of my car parked at public places (and video footage too) Here are some:
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I always scout out the places I'm going with my DD and never park the car out of my sight. It's easy to say "park it and forget it", but this car is my baby and there are a crazy jealous few that would love to find a car like this parked somewhere with no one watching.

Do what YOU feel comfortable, but for me it means being careful.