combatcolin said:
Amen!
And there should be fines that equal Handicap Parking violations for those that use "compact car" parking spaces.
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Parking spaces stretch to fit fat rides
- Thread starter wdlove
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Amen!
And there should be fines that equal Handicap Parking violations for those that use "compact car" parking spaces.
Bigheadache said:
Simply it is called "status". The larger the vehicle, the "better off" you appear to others.
Ugg said:
My Subaru Baja has you beat there in width. Though the length puts me out of the compact car parking. Had two different Rangers, both extended cabs ('93 and a '98). The poor quality of the '98 pushed me towards a Civic, and then towards the Baja.
Chip NoVaMac said:
That isn't neccesarily true.
I have a Hummer H2, but I didn't buy it to show it off.
If someone wants to buy a certain car more power to them. I am not going to judge someone by the car they drive.
Chip NoVaMac said:
Get real! By that logic, someone driving a $28,000 Ford Crown Victoria looks like he's "better off" than a guy driving a $50,000 Porsche Boxster.
"Status" is not necessarily the reason for someone wanting a larger vehicle. Is it really that hard to acknowledge that some people just don't want to cram 3 passengers in a back seat without having one of them lose a leg due to lack of circulation
makisushi: If not for appearance, why on earth did you buy a hummer? Which branch of the military are you in? Or do you do heavy contracting work? Please don't tell me something inane like, you need something to go down dirt roads for fishing. The Hummer, for civilians, is totally and utterly useless in terms of it's own bloated, disgusting excess.
Good call. I get so sick of seeing spots wasted because *******s in big trucks take space... Hell, even if the truck isn't too wide for the space, they'll still park 3 feet to the right of the space. Then everyone parks around them, and when they leave, the whole row is a mess. 10 spots but only 7 cars can park there. Because old Jimmy over there can't be bothered to guide his guzzler in between two lines.
Other day, I was furiously pissed because of a fight my mom and I were having, and I went to get in my car-- Another car had parked so close to my driver's door, I had to crawl in through the passenger door. So, bearing in mind that my current car is a temporary junker, I opened the door as hard as i could into the other car, rubbing and gouging it, as i snaked my way to leave a rather nasty note under the wiper. I felt good about myself. And the moron in that car now parks in a different lot and just walks to the building
paul
Abstract said:
Good call. I get so sick of seeing spots wasted because *******s in big trucks take space... Hell, even if the truck isn't too wide for the space, they'll still park 3 feet to the right of the space. Then everyone parks around them, and when they leave, the whole row is a mess. 10 spots but only 7 cars can park there. Because old Jimmy over there can't be bothered to guide his guzzler in between two lines.
Other day, I was furiously pissed because of a fight my mom and I were having, and I went to get in my car-- Another car had parked so close to my driver's door, I had to crawl in through the passenger door. So, bearing in mind that my current car is a temporary junker, I opened the door as hard as i could into the other car, rubbing and gouging it, as i snaked my way to leave a rather nasty note under the wiper. I felt good about myself. And the moron in that car now parks in a different lot and just walks to the building
paul
paulwhannel said:
I think the more important question is why do you care?!? If you must know, i race catamarans, and I use it to pull and store my stuff.
paulwhannel said:Good call. I get so sick of seeing spots wasted because *******s in big trucks take space... Hell, even if the truck isn't too wide for the space, they'll still park 3 feet to the right of the space. Then everyone parks around them, and when they leave, the whole row is a mess. 10 spots but only 7 cars can park there. Because old Jimmy over there can't be bothered to guide his guzzler in between two lines.
Other day, I was furiously pissed because of a fight my mom and I were having, and I went to get in my car-- Another car had parked so close to my driver's door, I had to crawl in through the passenger door. So, bearing in mind that my current car is a temporary junker, I opened the door as hard as i could into the other car, rubbing and gouging it, as i snaked my way to leave a rather nasty note under the wiper. I felt good about myself. And the moron in that car now parks in a different lot and just walks to the building
paul
After reading this, I would suggest anger management. Desctruction of personal property is a crime.
All of you who are wanting larger spots, are you also willing to circle the lot 'sharking' for a spot? Are you OK with not being able to park in a lot at certain times, but rather having to park farther away and walk in?
That's the trade off you're talking about. More space per space = Less total spaces available.
I know when I was in college there was terminal debate about parking. Never enough of it. And I went to an Ag school, so there were plenty of larger vehicles in the lots all the time, and the spaces were already small. At peak times of the day it could be a half-hour of scouring the lot looking for a place to park. Waste of time and gas. And someone would always complain 'How come they sell so many parking permits for so few spaces?' Well, because otherwise you'd have to lottery off or sell off the spaces, and someone who lives far away risks having quarters where you can't park on campus at all, any time even when the lots AREN'T full.
And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying don't make spaces bigger. But understand the consequences of reducing the available parking stock, which is what larger spaces mean. Either that or increased cost of development or decreased size of retail space. TANSTAAFL.
That's the trade off you're talking about. More space per space = Less total spaces available.
I know when I was in college there was terminal debate about parking. Never enough of it. And I went to an Ag school, so there were plenty of larger vehicles in the lots all the time, and the spaces were already small. At peak times of the day it could be a half-hour of scouring the lot looking for a place to park. Waste of time and gas. And someone would always complain 'How come they sell so many parking permits for so few spaces?' Well, because otherwise you'd have to lottery off or sell off the spaces, and someone who lives far away risks having quarters where you can't park on campus at all, any time even when the lots AREN'T full.
And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying don't make spaces bigger. But understand the consequences of reducing the available parking stock, which is what larger spaces mean. Either that or increased cost of development or decreased size of retail space. TANSTAAFL.
well there is also another way they do it and control parking permint. At my schools for the dorm lots they do not over sell it. They sell only the number of permits they have and it first come first served. order to late you get stuck wiht a commiter pass and they only sell a limited number of thoses as well for the oncampus lot (the satilight lot well they will never sell that one out). For the on campus one they sell a little more than they have spots for to account for the fact that everyone is never there at the same time and there are always a some spots advible to the students.
You're lucky then, you're school hasn't reached a crisis level. My school did the same thing for on campus residents, vis-a-vis a lottery for those spots, but that's sort of a different problem since those kids theoretically don't need a car to get to school. When you run out of parking for the off-campus dwellers, then you have a problem.
I agree with Mr. Ed, for exactly the reasons he stated.
I once worked for an employer who was too cheap to spend much money on parking. As employment expanded, their first choice was never to add parking lot space or build up, but to narrow the parking spaces to ridiculous extremes. Needless to say, we had a lot of p.o.'d employees with new dents in their cars. Also, the narrowness actually seemed to encourage people with new or expensive cars to take two spaces.
Mactastic, I actually prefer what you're talking about. I hate it when people circle and circle and circle for a "prime" space, when they could've already been parked a little further down, and walking to the building. Again, at my old job we actually had people who arrived early for their shift and camped near the building, blocking half a driving lane, just because the lazy asses were waiting for someone in a "prime" space on the previous shift to leave.
I once worked for an employer who was too cheap to spend much money on parking. As employment expanded, their first choice was never to add parking lot space or build up, but to narrow the parking spaces to ridiculous extremes. Needless to say, we had a lot of p.o.'d employees with new dents in their cars. Also, the narrowness actually seemed to encourage people with new or expensive cars to take two spaces.
Mactastic, I actually prefer what you're talking about. I hate it when people circle and circle and circle for a "prime" space, when they could've already been parked a little further down, and walking to the building. Again, at my old job we actually had people who arrived early for their shift and camped near the building, blocking half a driving lane, just because the lazy asses were waiting for someone in a "prime" space on the previous shift to leave.
mactastic said:
oh but they have. there is not enough parking on campus mainly because they lost over 1000 places they wya they solved it was by having a lot of spots at the satilight (where perments are 26 buck compared to the 100+ for oncampus) satilight parking is a few miles from campus and you have to take the bus from there. for the dorms I dont think they will run into a problem there since they have enough to where 3/4 of the residents (prouble more) can have a spot. As for getting a spot on campus close to you deparment if you are do not have dorm parking permint you are pretty much SOL unless you are an engineer. I love the fact that on of the big lots is right be hind the engineering key so little walking to do onces I do park my car
makisushi said:
I know that. But for some of the Hummer owners I have met or known, the vehicle is a "safety" or "status" issue. Lets face it, even for your needs there may have been more "eco friendly" and "society friendly" vehicles that would have met your needs.
Don't get me wrong, even my Baja would earns "knocks" by some out there. And there are times that I would like to have a car that is better in MPG than the Baja. But the AWD is what I needed for my "job" - having to be there in even the worst weather; and for my love of the back country.
In the end you have only to look at the depth of offerings here in the US to get the feeling that needs are not the only thing being met; but also status. And in those cases that is not a bad thing. It is also a matter of of looking towards the greater need of society and how our choices affect the rest.
For myself it is more about the owners of larger SUV's not realizing that they have to be good neighbors. That may mean being forced to park in more isolated areas so as to not ding or make difficult the exiting and entry of the smaller vehicles. Even realizing that the larger SUV posses a greater threat to the safety of other drivers.
In the end, my post was not to knock or attack your choice. In the end I think you can agree though there are those that are buying the "power" vehicles because of the image alone, not a real need. The question that was asked was why Americans seemed compelled to buy these vehicles. And with the numbers behind the sales until recently, I think that "status" is the driving force.
"Status" can be money, size, or power. None of which is bad, depending on how you view things.
Timelessblur said:
Ah, but you have busses to take you from satellite parking to campus core. No such funding in the CSU budget these days...
Heck the city bus service to campus is terrible.
paulwhannel said:Other day, I was furiously pissed because of a fight my mom and I were having, and I went to get in my car-- Another car had parked so close to my driver's door, I had to crawl in through the passenger door. So, bearing in mind that my current car is a temporary junker, I opened the door as hard as i could into the other car, rubbing and gouging it, as i snaked my way to leave a rather nasty note under the wiper. I felt good about myself. And the moron in that car now parks in a different lot and just walks to the building
paul
Hehe! Nice! I often park in this garage in town that is smallish, underground, but reasonably priced and quick to enter/exit as i do a lot of running around town for photo shoots and the like. If i park in a spot and am crowded by an SUV that's taking up two spaces, which is common, spaces are tight, and people in SUVs generally can't park worth poop because the vehicles are TOO big, they'll park over a yellow line, making it a tight fit for me! Consider that I have to lug a camera bag with 5-7 big lenses, two camera bodies, support (tripod) and lighting gear, i'll often have to rub up against said SUV to get the stuff out, i'll get my suit dirty since they NEVER seem to clean their cars, and i'll "accidently" swing my heavy, metal tripod around and bump the SUV. Oops! Maybe park a little better, or get a car you can drive, i say!
The best was a Hummer who ignored the clearance signs in the garage running his roof against the garage roof for about 150 feet. I laughed hysterically, they messed up piping in the garage, the garage security came down, and I can only imagine the damage on their nice yellow brand-spankin' new H2.
The thing i do hate is that my lovely Saab is now made by the same demons who have unleashed that Hummer upon us. Ah well.
m
Viva La France!!
Paris are bringing in laws charging and restricting 4X4 (or SUV's depending where you live).
Agree completly.
Paris are bringing in laws charging and restricting 4X4 (or SUV's depending where you live).
Agree completly.
makisushi said:
Ah, sailing. A sport that did not exist before the H2 was there to lug equipment. Three cheers for the H2!
And I only care that you're lying when you say you didn't buy it for looks/size appeal. That's the final reason that anyone would buy one. You may have had other things on your mind, but a realistic solution to your equipment hauling needs could have been attained at a better price with better results.
When a huge, 4-door Dodge Ram (or whatever the hell it was) pins my car in a space, and keeps me from getting in, it's car theft. He's lucky I was in a hurry, or I would have called makisushi to help me tow his vehicle away. Honestly I couldn't decide whether to scratch it or call the cops, in the end it probably cost him the same.
I would die laughing if i ever saw a hummer get nailed by low-clearance... Things like that are why I need a camera phone.
paul
Moxiemike said:The best was a Hummer who ignored the clearance signs in the garage running his roof against the garage roof for about 150 feet. I laughed hysterically, they messed up piping in the garage, the garage security came down, and I can only imagine the damage on their nice yellow brand-spankin' new H2.
That's the other aspect of parking monster vehicles that would make me never buy one. Can you imagine the billions of dollars it would cost to tear down parking garages and build new ones just so these monstrosities can use them! Personally I think they should be banned from parking garages as they are too big for the spaces and block the ability to see beyond them.
The sooner they are banned from areas where they are useless, the better.
Whats with many of you people hating SUVs.
Its all opinion....
Some people want MPG
Some people want luxery
Some people want to ride higher on the road
Some people want preformance
Some people need room in there cars for stuff
Some people want seating capicity
Just because people have $50,000 porshes does not necessarily mean they're being showy- its because they can afford to own one and it suits there needs. Yea i get yelled at for driving a "Gas Guzzling" SUV, well I am willing to pay the Gas Guzzling Tax when I buy the car and bay $2.00 a gallon for fuel.
Also, some of you may not realize that some of the SUVs out there get the same gas milage as minivans. Think about how many people own minivans.
In addition to people buying expensive cars to look "showy", maybe they like the fit and finish of a nicer car. If you had enough money to spare to buy a porshe (as a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc car, would you?). In the moive "Ferris Buelers Day Off" doesn't Farris say something like "Now if you had the oppertunity to drive a car like this (ferrari), wouldn't you?"
Its all opinion....
Some people want MPG
Some people want luxery
Some people want to ride higher on the road
Some people want preformance
Some people need room in there cars for stuff
Some people want seating capicity
Just because people have $50,000 porshes does not necessarily mean they're being showy- its because they can afford to own one and it suits there needs. Yea i get yelled at for driving a "Gas Guzzling" SUV, well I am willing to pay the Gas Guzzling Tax when I buy the car and bay $2.00 a gallon for fuel.
Also, some of you may not realize that some of the SUVs out there get the same gas milage as minivans. Think about how many people own minivans.
In addition to people buying expensive cars to look "showy", maybe they like the fit and finish of a nicer car. If you had enough money to spare to buy a porshe (as a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc car, would you?). In the moive "Ferris Buelers Day Off" doesn't Farris say something like "Now if you had the oppertunity to drive a car like this (ferrari), wouldn't you?"
I think a lot of people are missing the statement "reversing a trend that began in the 80's" in that sentence.
This is different from supersizing movie theatre seats because people have gotten too fat to fit in them. Lease-holders have been actively reducing the size of spots for decades to try and generate more parking revenue, and it has hit the point where a lot of downtown parkades are too small to fit even a mid-sized car. I am glad they are finally reversing this trend and creating spots that are a reasonable size for cars, even if they are blaming it on SUV's .
I drive a 2 door Mazda MX-6, not a small car but not a big car by any stretch of the imagination. Yet 90% of the downtown parkades have spots small enough that once parked I have about 10 inches between the side of the car and the painted lines. Combine that with someone who parks too close on one side, and the fact that a 2 door has bigger doors than a 4-door, and I frequently find myself having to turn sideways and slither out the doors.
On the weekend I was driving my wife's Camry into a London Drugs parking lot, and the spots were so narrow, combined with a narrow lane that I actually had to do a 3 point turn to get into it.
It's about time parking spots were once again readjusted to be reasonable, like they were 15 years ago. This is being blamed on SUV's because the spots are now at the point where they are so ridiculously small that one won't even physically fit in it, but due to greed they have for a long time been too small for anything larger than a Geo Metro.
This is different from supersizing movie theatre seats because people have gotten too fat to fit in them. Lease-holders have been actively reducing the size of spots for decades to try and generate more parking revenue, and it has hit the point where a lot of downtown parkades are too small to fit even a mid-sized car. I am glad they are finally reversing this trend and creating spots that are a reasonable size for cars, even if they are blaming it on SUV's .
I drive a 2 door Mazda MX-6, not a small car but not a big car by any stretch of the imagination. Yet 90% of the downtown parkades have spots small enough that once parked I have about 10 inches between the side of the car and the painted lines. Combine that with someone who parks too close on one side, and the fact that a 2 door has bigger doors than a 4-door, and I frequently find myself having to turn sideways and slither out the doors.
On the weekend I was driving my wife's Camry into a London Drugs parking lot, and the spots were so narrow, combined with a narrow lane that I actually had to do a 3 point turn to get into it.
It's about time parking spots were once again readjusted to be reasonable, like they were 15 years ago. This is being blamed on SUV's because the spots are now at the point where they are so ridiculously small that one won't even physically fit in it, but due to greed they have for a long time been too small for anything larger than a Geo Metro.
paulwhannel said:
What I hear is that those of us that have suffered through the dents and scrapes in parking lots of our "lower cost vehicles" are tired. Why should I give up a parking space fit only for an Echo or smaller, simply because someone else decided that they were more important?
I know that it is not the "norm"; but some of those that drive big SUV's have little regard to anyone else. For the dings and scrapes they see are far less than what the "little people" see.
Many years ago I drove a Suburban as a company vehicle. I felt the need to park in "Siberia" only because I could not feel "safe" in parking near other vehicles.
In difference to some that have posted; it is starting to show the "class" difference within our nation.
paulwhannel said:
If someone double-parks, it's a crime whether he's in a Dodge Ram or a Prius.
If a place has made their spots too small for vehicles that are being driven, and don't forget that although most people do not need a 4-door Dodge Ram there is a not insgnificant part of the population that does require it -- ever tried to carry a tonne of dirt in a Prius? -- why should you take your frustration out on someone who has no control over the size of a parking spot?