[mustanghusker]

I went to happy hour last night to a respectable restaurant/bar here in Dallas. I hate valet, particularly when I am in my car, but there were no reasonable alternatives, so I pulled up to the stand. The attendant opens my door and say "Is this a Porsche," to which I reply "yes." He replied with something like "oh, cool." I could tell by the look on his face that he didn't recognize it but thought it was indeed very cool. I tell him that you don't see many of them because they didn't import all that many. He looks at me, smiles, and says, "okay, I'll keep it up front for you." I of course get a smile on my face and walk into the restaurant. When I go to leave a few hours later I notice my car, about 3rd from the door. Pretty much everything else in the lot were late model high end imports (remember that Dallas is home to the $30,000/year millionaire). I had 2 nice new SL500s on one side a few doors down was a brand new Lambo. Yet, when I put the top down and drove home, I was completely happy in my car as opposed to any of the others in the lot.



Just another story of why I love this car so much. It really does put a smile on my face. I know everyone else has one like this, I just had to share. Enjoy your Friday's, and if your weather is as nice as mine this weekend, find a chance to enjoy these cars!

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[cosimo]

My fear of using valet parking is that the parkers are young or NFH (Not from Here) and don't know how to drive a stick shift. I always ask if I can park it myself if there is no alternative to valet. You were were brave to let them park your black beauty.

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[94SilverCab]

The LAST time I parked with a valet was at "La Veranda" in Philadelphia...I came back and found it parked in front...WITH 13 EXTRA MILES ON IT!!! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Of course they denied it, and I showed them my piece of paper on which I wrote the mileage...(still, no apology)



NEVER AGAIN! Now I just tell them to hand me a briefcase filled with cash if they expect me to turn my keys over...



Jay

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[flash]

lol - i'm having visions of ferris bueller's day off

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[gryphon]

Same thing happened to my friend's Corvette at an upscale Paradise Valley (AZ) restaurant. It gained about 25 miles on the odometer. Must have been a big parking lot.



Tom

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[Ryan]

In my 944S I pulled up to a casino near here. I told the valet I was just running in for a few minutes to take care of some business and I would be right back.



I came out and could not find my car. The valet pointed it out and they had put the roof panel back in , breaking the little plastic center guide and screwed up the alarm lock trying to lock the car using it instead of the real key lock. I was pissed, but they offered nothing.

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[1GR8_968]

I have this happen all the time in my 94 Red Cabrio. (see pics in my profile) People LOVE this car and havent a clue about it. Just the other day I took my car into Manhattan for lunch and parked her at the curb (right in plain view 12 feet away) and while I sat outside eating I had so many people admire her and one family actually had taken pictures of themselves next to her. But let me share this one story with you - one to top them all. I always service my Porsche at the dealership and the first time I had her serviced I went to pay my bill the receptionist says to me, and I quote, " what is a 968 Cabriolet? I have never heard of that one". And that my friends is why I love and drive this car. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

yeah - i had a similar experience in my E30 - i pulled up to one of our favorite hotels - i handed the guy my keys and off he went - he then decided to put the top up - in doing so, he moved my seat and ran over my phone adaptor



also no offer of reparation



lol - on the rare occation i let a valet park my car (only happens when they insist on parking it), i now make a deal with them on the 968 (more like a double or nothing bet) - if they stall it, they pay me for the parking AND i get to park for free - if they don't, i pay double - i have not had to pay yet

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[gryphon]

Try valet parking with a Lexus hybrid. Even after you tell them how it works, they sometimes just sit and look at the dash. Lexus should have added a fake engine sound for such situations.



Tom

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[flash]

lol - first time i drove an EV-1 was the same thing - very freaky - i thought they should at least clothspin a playing card in the spokes

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[gryphon]

[quote name='flash' post='41564' date='Sep 22 2007, 12:32 PM']i thought they should at least clothspin a playing card in the spokes[/quote]



Yer showing yer age, Bob.



Tom

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[S_Cal968]

I'm another that always asks what my options are before handing over my keys...



I had a humorous & not-so-good experience back when I owned a 1-ton GMC 4x4, [w/ 4" lift, full rollbar & brush-guards, turbo mufflers etc.]. I had a business meeting at the Bonaventure Hotel [downtown L.A.] and the look when In pulled into valet parking was classic. My truck was surround by the typical foreign luxury cars. When it came time to retrieve my truck I quickly noticed that they mis-judged the size; I found a fresh scrape mark on the front bumper. Of course they denied it and because the truck already had some off-roading scars I didn't press the issue. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[csc71]

Love these stories!

I have valeted before, and just give the guy a look that is not threatening, just a look that says "Do you have any (insert expletive) idea how lucky you are to be allowed behind the wheel?!



Steve

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[Mark]

I've never valet parked the Porsches but the one time I did with the S2000 was rather humorous since you have to push the start button not just turn the key and back them there were not that many of them around.

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[kramermic]

A story from the other side. There was a pretty nice restaurant in the bottom floor of my apt in Columbia, SC. I used valet there a few nights a week while in college. People would drive up in their 3 series bmws or C class MB's and make comments like those csc71 stated above me. I would smile, point to my car which was always parked on the street in front of the restaurant and politely say "I'm pretty sure I can handle this thing, that's my car. I promise to take as good of care of yours as i do mine." Most people were quite surprised when the 20 year old "valet punk" was driving a nicer car than they were. Those usually didn't bring me better tips, but the gratification was worth more than the $2 they were going to throw my way.

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[924s]

<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> @ these stories.



I always park the car myself - and if there is valet service, and I have no choice, I make sure to tell them to "NOT" lock the car (most places are safe). Because I am afraid that they will break the locks.



When it comes time to get the car - I like to walk over and get it myself (because of the top idiot proofing) I hate having to start then stop then restart the engine just to get the top up and down. Now that I have learned the mod Iwon't have tha problem <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[gryphon]

I was never a valet, but I did work in a car wash in high school. My job was to drive the cars into and out of the wash, while cleaning the inside windows as they went through. It was quite interesting learning how to start various cars in the mid-60s, including (I think) Buicks that had a start button on the floor.



Tom

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[Kim]

I don't have any insurance on either of my cars except the government mandated PL/PD (ie no theft, no collision, no comprehensive, nothing). Driver is responsible for all damage and I assume that nobody would want to pay. I simply have a rule that I follow - you drive your cars and I drive mine. No exceptions except I do let the Porsche technicians drive it into the bay. Not because it is so valuable - just because I think I would be just to crabby if damage was caused by somebody else with no means to pay. Of course, here in Bugtussle, all we have are fish and chip stands .....

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[mpiazzola]

A little off-topic, but I was at the self-wash last week doing my thing with the wipe down and this gent and his girlfriend sitting in their rent-a-chevy get out and come up to me and say "Wow, that's beautiful, you don't see many of them anymore, a 944 convertible!"



I corrected him, gave him the rundown on the 1993 production volume, etc. He said he had a "911" but didn't seem to have any knowledge of the '68.

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