[idriveuscream]

The simplest solution I found was to source myself a squirrel monkey named 'Steve' that hops out and waves me into the parking space.

[tommycr]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Backing in also makes exiting much easier, especially on busy streets or parking lots. As mentioned by another poster, people no longer look behind them when backing up and rely solely on their camera. I'd much prefer to drive out of a parking spot than back out of one.

I also spent several years as a valet during college and we were required to back all cars in. So it's just habit. I can probably back in and/or parallel park faster than someone who pulls in forward. Skills

Looking at your car, same color and wheels as mine, reminds me that I NEED TO GET IT TINTED. I keep putting it off but yours looks great.

What % did you do? In NJ it’s illegal to do the front driver and passenger windows but I’m putting something on it.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by tommycr

Looking at your car, same color and wheels as mine, reminds me that I NEED TO GET IT TINTED. I keep putting it off but yours looks great.

What % did you do? In NJ it’s illegal to do the front driver and passenger windows but I’m putting something on it.

Thank you for the compliment. It was tinted when I picked it up & the dealer didn't give me any info on the tint. Comparing to my other vehicles I'd guess it's ~30 -35%. I would've gone a little darker at 25% (legal limit here is 23%). My wife has 20% on her X3MC which looks great but I have difficulty seeing out at night.

[Searay55555]

Caption this. 🤣
This is what happens when you get too close.

[xtougher]

Just as some others have said, I back into parking spots 100% if I'm able.

It helps with your specific issue, but I actually think it's better overall anyway.

As mentioned, it's quicker and safer to leave when you're facing forward. People are more and more distracted and/or just aren't paying attention in parking lots these days, and having them pause while you back IN is safer since they are much more likely to notice you doing so (and will also get frustrated by it ) rather than backing OUT of a spot and hoping others are paying attention.

Also, even people walking are not paying attention these days. So I have a fear of hitting a person walking without paying attention to cars backing OUT of spots...so I back into them, and when I'm leaving, I have the ability to look out for them a bit more.

[Andyw27]

I get out the measuring tape regardless of the situation

[KC87ZB]

Originally Posted by idriveuscream

The simplest solution I found was to source myself a squirrel monkey named 'Steve' that hops out and waves me into the parking space.

Like trunk monkey - google it

[Squidget]

Tips may help people who have trouble parking forward:

In many cases, you can mentally extend the end of the parking space to the left. Often there are painted lines, or a row of concrete blocks. Some day, after you've parked, sit in your car and see where this line intersects with your door. Usually it will be somewhere around your mirror. Remember that, use that in future parking.

In crowded spots, simply line up your door handle with the car next to you.

And remember you have a relatively short car, so don't get all up in the parking spot. There's nothing wrong with parking 2 feet away from the end, you are still taking up less space than an F150.

But yeah, most of the time, I back in. I'm just terrified of backing over a kid someday, so it's just so much safer.

[mynameisnick4]

I park the same way. I have had friends and family give me shit but the way I see it is that you can't undo getting too close and hitting the curb. I'd rather be too far from the curb especially in this car where the $1,000+ oil cooler radiator is right there.

[Rx-7ames]

Seems like many of us are the same. I park like OP if I pull in, then feel like an idiot getting back in to pull up closer. So 99% of the time I back in. problem solved.

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by Searay55555

Caption this. 🤣
This is what happens when you get too close.

Damn. It looks like the clips broke. How are you able to get it back on the car? You know, you can get the Mishimoto skit plate and put the rubber strip on the plate, it's more sturdy than the plastic that's normally on the car anyway.

[Searay55555]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

Damn. It looks like the clips broke. How are you able to get it back on the car? You know, you can get the Mishimoto skit plate and put the rubber strip on the plate, it's more sturdy than the plastic that's normally on the car anyway.

Yes, right. The clips broke off so I JB’d them back on and popped it back on. A good bit of a pain in the ass. I’m weighing the different plate options.