Moving into an apartment complex with my MS3....any tips?

[peter.sellers]

Hey folks,

I plan to move into an apt. complex next month with my MS3. Any tips on what all I need to watch out for? I am already getting ready emotionally for scratches and dents due to kids playing near the parking lot.

People with who already live in apts with MS3s, what issues have you guys faced?

Thanks

 

[jnr5005]

How big is the parking lot? Park as far away from everyone as physically possible. I have lived in a complex for 4 years, and have had my zoom-zoom hit twice . 2 Other cars we had were each hit once. A couple weeks ago I watched a drunk driver smash into an Elantra in my apt. and I called the cops. Also, I had my Kawi Ninja stolen overnight! LOL watch your sh*t and park in the back, and these things definatley won't happen to you! Since I started parking away from everyone else nothing has happened. We live in a pretty affluent area too. Good luck in your new home!

 

[axisboldaslove]

ditto on parking far away from cars...i sometimes used to take up two parking spaces...cuz ppl didn't really care ...it was to avoid getting hit or scratched or ****** with

 

[RaiderMS3]

My apartment days led to my meeting a paintless dent removal guy, who years later, still takes care of my dings. You will get them, nothing you can do. Just park way away. I would check on the towing situation, they towed double-space-parkers where I lived.

invest in an alarm, or just a few flashing LED's, as kids tends to bust into cars in complexes since it is one big shopping mall for them. Take your GPS out too, if you have a portable one. It might get smash-and-grabbed.

 

[jnr5005]

ditto on parking far away from cars...i sometimes used to take up two parking spaces...cuz ppl didn't really care ...it was to avoid getting hit or scratched or ****** with

Lol I tried parking in two spaced for a while until someone left a note saying "keep taking up two spaces and your car is going to get keyed, dick." That was the end of that.

 

[Timshadi]

I live in an apt. but i had to get one with a garage. It is $100 more a month but it Keeps my car safe and is a place for all my tools and s***.

 

[714ms3]

Lol I tried parking in two spaced for a while until someone left a note saying "keep taking up two spaces and your car is going to get keyed, dick." That was the end of that.

You live in Philly, so I am not surprised.

OP, I tend to park closer to the passenger side of the car on my left as most people that live in apartments tend to drive alone, thus the chances of getting dinged are less as the passenger won't be getting in.
Besides that, getting a sun visor and window tint to darken everything so people can't see inside will remove some temptation.

 

[noobinacan]

depends on what kind of neighborhood it is...if its upscale. you should be fine.
If its ghetto...park away and out of 'sight' if possible from everyone.

Look into getting a garage if its available.
don't leave stuff in plain sight.in your car...cause that's when all the break-in's happen.

walk around the complex and look for a faucet...so you can wash your car

also if you are going away somewhere for extended periods..do not leave your car in the complex...park at a friends house or something.

 

[SallySpeed3]

I lived in a nice apartment complex for just over a 1 year with my speed. Didn't really have to worry about vandals or anything like that, but my main problem was the weather. Not having a garage stinks, unless you pay extra for one. I have 3 somewhat noticeable dents the size of golf balls on my roof from a hail storm so maybe invest in a vehicle cover for when you know its going to storm bad. Also, because it stays outside make sure you wax it very often. And generally, like everyone said, whenever parking try to stick to an area that people don't use too often, even if it means you walking an extra 30 seconds.
I would stay away from taking up 2 spots. I find it actually draws MORE attention to your vehicle, and it gives people the impression that you're a snob, even if you're not.

 

[BillTheCat]

Check on the frequency of vehicle break-ins in the area, and vehicle thefts. If it seems like an issue, I'd install a remote starter kill switch in a stealth location, and use it every time I park.

A friend of mine always takes up 2 spots in his apartment complex, and has gotten no grief about it from the neighbors. He checked with the office first to verify that he was technically entitled to 2 parking spaces, of course.

And while I don't necessarily agree with this, he leaves his car unlocked. But he leaves absolutely nothing of value inside. So thieves open the doors, find nothing, and leave without breaking windows or popping locks that cost him hundreds to have fixed. (He suffered 2-3 break-ins per year for the first 2-3 years he was there) Of course, his car is a 1987 300ZX, so not a prime vehicle theft candidate- more of a break in & take your spare change & radio candidate. (He left the crappy stock 1987 stereo in it, so nobody wants it)

 

[jabba]

If you can, get a carport. It mostly protects you from the weather when you are parked (even though it is an open structure), and also is great when you need to wax, etc. My carport had wider spaces, so neighboring cars couldn't hit you when they opened doors, etc. It was also right in front of my apartment, which was great when having to deal with groceries in the middle of the pouring rain. Of course, that won't help you against vandalism or breakins, but since I never had issues, I stopped worrying about that. Of course, a garage spot would be optimal, but they're kinda expensive.

If none of these options are available to you, I'm not so sure parking far away where no one parks will help, since those lonely cars in the middle of the night can attract kids just looking for something to take (happened often in my parents' complex). I would park close to home base, and stay away from any car that is owned by people with kids, since the little monsters couldn't give two craps about swinging doors wide open into your car.

 

[abovie3]

I try and get an end spot, where theres another parking spot next to it and a median/sidewalk or somesort on the other side. then I park as close as I can to the median so if anyone parks in the spot next to me theres still plenty of room for swinging doors. I do this so I can keep it in sight everytime I look out the window, and I almost always sleep with my window slightly opened so I can keep an hear out too.

 

[Kain]

It's an economy car, not a Maybach.

 

[cpmazda]

Hey folks,

I plan to move into an apt. complex next month with my MS3. Any tips on what all I need to watch out for? I am already getting ready emotionally for scratches and dents due to kids playing near the parking lot.

People with who already live in apts with MS3s, what issues have you guys faced?

Thanks

kinda depends what kind of neighborhood you live in and the layout of the lot. I live in a condo complex in the city and havent had any issues with my sti because everyone that lives here is a decent human being. If you live in cracktown USA, their will obviously be issues

 

[Saskatchewan17]

It's an economy car, not a Maybach.

Agreed. You can't keep it perfect. Don't even try... you'll just get a lot of heartache out of it.

I do agree, however, that you should park far away and on end spaces so only one side of your car has a chance of getting dinged.

I would keep a nice coat of wax on it at all times so it can brave the elements without damage to the paint.

 

[Jessman]

I would definately get rid of the Mazdaspeed emblem on the hatch, and then park on an end spot like others have mentioned.

 

[kroze]

I would definately get rid of the Mazdaspeed emblem on the hatch, and then park on an end spot like others have mentioned.

kind of hard when you have the hood scoop (2010)

 

[dan1101]

Take a parking spot on the end of a row, as close to a curb on one side as you can. That way there will only be one person parking beside you, so your odds are better already, and you're as far away from them as the space allows.

 

[bjjer]

Just be prepared for heartache, the first damage hurts the worst. My car was street parked for the first 6 months of ownership (its garaged now) and I was hit twice on my front bumper by parallel parkers. It hurts when its brand new and you make payments on it with your hard earned money (even if its not a Maybach) but remember it is just a car.

 

[bluelion]

Lol I tried parking in two spaced for a while until someone left a note saying "keep taking up two spaces and your car is going to get keyed, dick." That was the end of that.

i have left a note similar to that, only without the "dick" and "keyed" part. just stated i'd report him to management. we have a 4 story garage, but only the first 3 floors are covered. i happen to live on the 3rd floor and get home late from work. well all the parking spots are filled up on my floor by the time i get home, and this dickhead has been taking two spots, forcing me to park in the uncovered part. well, i care about my car just as much as he does his, and i have a right to covered parking too.
needless to say, he doesn't take up two spots, but now he parks like i do!! (cool) guess he's noticed how i park cause he tends to get the spots i like and parks like i do. guess it's a good thing he cares for his car cause i know he won't just swing the door open if i park next to him.

I try and get an end spot, where theres another parking spot next to it and a median/sidewalk or somesort on the other side. then I park as close as I can to the median so if anyone parks in the spot next to me theres still plenty of room for swinging doors.

i do this constantly. try to get an end spot and hug the curb/median/parking space line. there has even been times that i have gone down to the 2nd or 1st floor where it isn't as congested, and park there. if you can't find an end spot, look for a nicely kept car and park next to him. and just has others haev stated, if you have an option to get a garage/carport, pay the extra money a month. it's worth it.
there were quite a few breaks ins when we first moved into that complex, and even a couple motorcylces stolen. been about a year since we've heard of anything like that happening. wife and i leave nothing in plain site to intice thieves. luckily, we have a security guard that works graveyard shift and sits at the entrance of the garage, and sometimes drives around the garage checking on everything.