Any fun parking stories? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

SmartAzz · 01-29-2008, 04:38 PM

Now that a number of these little guys are actually out and about I was hoping to hear some fun "I parked where only a Smart car could park" stories

Anyone park perpendicular to the curb in a tiny spot yet and if so how did the local parking enforcement types take it?

prash · 01-29-2008, 05:14 PM

I was parked on the street towards the front of the space. As I was getting out of the car a guy in an Avalanche parked behind me taking up his space and part of mine. I asked him if he needed me to move up some more so he could fit. He burst out laughing.

anthony94114 · 01-29-2008, 05:16 PM

Part of why I can't wait to get a smart is because there are 3-4 spaces on my San Francisco block that are BUILT for a smart or a motorcycle.. and nothing else. Like free VIP parking. Soon....

SmartAzz · 01-29-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthony94114

Part of why I can't wait to get a smart is because there are 3-4 spaces on my San Francisco block that are BUILT for a smart or a motorcycle.. and nothing else. Like free VIP parking. Soon....

I'm with you on that ;)

That story about the Avalanche is cute but renews my wondering how it really will play out having a car that can't fill a space. Even with the Mini sometimes there are issues "taking" the space. I can imagine all kinds of encroaching and extra cars jamming in..

sandykos · 01-29-2008, 07:10 PM

With the turning radius of the smart, how much room front and back does one need to parallel park. The smart is 8ft 10in .

This sound like a challenge for all smart specialists. Two Mercedes on either end playing limbo. Please report results here.

Westfield 11 · 01-29-2008, 07:23 PM

Is the smart short enough to perpendicular park? I thought that the 451 was too long. Anyone know the legalities of this? I used to park my motorcycle with the rear wheel against the curb allowing many to share the space, this is legal in Ca AFAIK. It would seem that a precedent exists, who wants to be the test case?

StevenM1TX · 01-29-2008, 07:26 PM

I think you will find in most cities it doesn't matter how long the car is, if it isn't parallel to the curb, it isn't legal. Not that I would really want to squeeze into a place so tight that I had to. Just because you can get out without backing into one of the other two cars, doesn't mean they can get out without hitting you.

SmartAzz · 01-29-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenM1TX

I think you will find in most cities it doesn't matter how long the car is, if it isn't parallel to the curb, it isn't legal. Not that I would really want to squeeze into a place so tight that I had to. Just because you can get out without backing into one of the other two cars, doesn't mean they can get out without hitting you.

I'm thinking more of little short isolated spots, like between driveways, not a place where you'd get sandwiched in

I wonder what the DPT would do, if anything? After all there are some really wide trucks that park and protrude as much and any size bike can park perpendicular and stick out more then a normal car's width....

spdickey · 01-29-2008, 09:43 PM

I have a couple. New York City, shared a meter with another car. Asked the local beat cop, he said looked okay to him.

New Orleans Latin Quarter. Parked back to curb. Another cop loved the idea.

SmartAzz · 01-29-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdickey

I have a couple. New York City, shared a meter with another car. Asked the local beat cop, he said looked okay to him.

New Orleans Latin Quarter. Parked back to curb. Another cop loved the idea.

Three 450s in Washington DC April 2006

Sounds cute but I can't see the pictures