Strangers all over your car in parking lots, Acceptable?

[Obsidian]

This has come up a few times on the forums but I'm not sure that there's been a thread for it yet.
What do you all believe is ok for people to do to your car when you leave it unattended in a parking lot?
Read on for a short story of one of my experiences last year:

One morning I went to a French bakery in an upscale part of town so that I could get these particular pastries that my girlfriend at the time really enjoyed. I brought my phone and my camera with into the store because they just happened to be in my cargo shorts still.

I always park in the back of the parking lots when I can. I’ll even take up two spots and if possible share one or more sides with a curb so no one can park on that side of the Elise. This day was no different and I had probably a 3 to 5 minute walk to the store in the strip mall.

I come out to a guy sitting in my car! He’s maybe 40 years old (I’m 28 at the time). He’s gripping the steering wheel and smiling like some madman. As he’s reaching for the shifter I take out my camera and snap a few quick shots.

I ask him, “This is a sweet car, how long have you had it?”
He looks up and says, “Actually ummmm, I’m just borrowing it from a friend.”
I say, “You mind if I take a few pictures of it?”
He says, “Go for it.”

So I took one more picture of him very close up (the others were a bit far away and I wasn’t able to immediately identify him in the viewer). I said, “The cops will love that one when they get here.” He looks at me as I took out my cell phone and his face gets all red.

“This is MY car you prick, and as far as I can tell you’re attempting to steal it.”
(I hit my alarm system and it makes the telltale chirp that it’s been set off recently.) This is when it dawns on the guy that it really IS my car. And panic sets over his face.

I open the door for him and told him to get out of the car. He’s begging me not to call the cops, how he’s some business manager somewhere and that he’s very sorry but he just had to sit in the car because it was so cool. I tell him to explain it all to the police that I wasn’t in the mood for someone who felt they were above social decency and respect for others. I told him to sit on the curb and wait for the cops.

He bolted.

I got a picture of his Cadillac Escalade and the plates. I described the scenario to the dispatcher on the phone who said if there was no damage to the property that there was little they could do. I looked over the car and the portion where he must have stepped on the door and vaulted himself over the window into the driver seat. I saw no damage. It turned out later that there were actually two very small chips out of the paint, but some dirt that was probably from his shoes covered these. I’m still pretty bitter about it.

My question to those of you who read this far what is and/or isn’t acceptable to do to a car when it’s unattended?

I’ve got another story that happened in that same parking lot a month later. I decided then that I wouldn’t park my car in that upscale neighborhood unattended. But this is already too long.. I'll share the next story if anyone cares.

[cshama]

pretty weird

[zOOmz]

That is not considered trespassing?? If not, it should be.
I would be furious. Not just with an Elise, but with any car.
You didn't have the alarm system on before he entered the car?

[milehitom]

VERY weird...and, go ahead, share the other story, if it's as good as that one. Post the pics too! The last person I caught in my car (my Fiat) was trying to steal the radio...in front of my house...I saw him from the second floor front bedroom window. Well, actually, I saw the driver's side door open and a pair of legs sticking out into the street, toes pointing up. He was on his back in the driver's footwell, working on the radio. Not the best position to be in. I still have the Fiat and the radio.

Tom

[Cardinal]

Again, this is why I don't carry firearms. What is acceptable? Looking, and not touching. Hey, let's see the pictures!!

[Serebo1]

TTIWWP!!!

[delise]

Try using the proximity alarm, it would have gone off in that case and scared the bejesus out of him.

[dxl700]

Man that sucks... Your better than me cause I would have wanted to rip his a$$ right out of the car after I took the pick of him showing off his "friends" car.

WOW thats all I can say.

I understand that people will want to look at the car, and talk to you about it this is just part of owning a lotus. This however, does not give anyone the right to get in your car and sit down and put his feet and hands all over the inside.

I guess the next question you should have asked him was is you wife pretty? He would surly say "Yes" then you reply I'll be over later to try her out like you did my car.. Whats your address... Actually never mind I'll get it from your tag number.

[peahee]

I would have drop kicked the guy in the head. and throw a couple of elbows to the face.

[dma550]

Wow, I was about to post a b!tchy post yesterday about a father and son team that tried my door handle yesterday - I can see the car out my office window.

I would love to see pics of this too post them it may make you feel better.

I was one of the first 10 people to take delivery of a mini cooper S in 02 when they came out, and nobody had ever seen one before. Once at a gas station in Hartford (scary station!) while I was paying, I came out to find a woman sitting in it, tugging at the wheel. She quickly got out and said "nice car" - it happened so fast I didn't know what to do, I was much less angry than I would be with the Lotus.

I've always told my wife, this car would make the best baitcar, it's irresistable!

[Fungezap]

Originally Posted by delise

Try using the proximity alarm, it would have gone off in that case and scared the bejesus out of him.

I'd have been afraid of more significant damage he might do bolting out of the car.

"look, don't touch" is the only thing acceptable.

Also, parking way out is good. But even there I wouldn't take more than one space. I saw a solstice yesterday that I was happy to see until I got close and read his tag, NOT URZ. I don't think its a good idea to set yourself up to be perceived as thinking your above the "commoners" out there.

[kohete]

Parked at fry's yesterday, at least a hundred yards from the nearest car. When i came out, I had a Evo parked on each side, some kids taking pictures, and the alarm wailing.

[ddswanab]

In Florida they have enacted a law where "car thieves" or jackers can be shot on site. Thats why I always carry my .38. Best part is the family cannot sue you in civil court either.

[RegGuy]

I would have imagined the alarm would have gone off once he jumped inside. I had my car parked in a lot, ran into the store to grab something and I hear my alarm just as I got to the store. I go back outside and there are a bunch of highschool kids scattering away from the car. I said stop and one kid did. I said what did you guys do. He said pointed at the cool metal floorboard and the alarm went off.

I have previously tested the alarm and pretty slight movements inside the cabin set off the alarm. It is loud enough to wake the dead. No way someone could stay in the car with the alarm going off. Why didn't yours when he jumped in? Do you have something blocking the sensor?

[delise]

Originally Posted by Fungezap

I'd have been afraid of more significant damage he might do bolting out of the car.

"look, don't touch" is the only thing acceptable.

Also, parking way out is good. But even there I wouldn't take more than one space. I saw a solstice yesterday that I was happy to see until I got close and read his tag, NOT URZ. I don't think its a good idea to set yourself up to be perceived as thinking your above the "commoners" out there.

The alarm if set properly, will give you a warning chirp that is quite loud. I once had the top off and alarm on, I was talking to somebody and reached into the cabin to grab my water, the alarm whent WHIIIIIIIRP just once like, Back off Jack ! If you persist and it gets more movement then it goes off for real. If you don't want to bother with the top for a short stop, roll the windows up, take your stereo face plate, set the alarm, easy as that.

[bluejae]

i can't believe there is nothing the police can do... and if you had hit him like some members have posted... wouldn't that just make things worse?

wouldn't you get in trouble for beating up a guy because he's in your car... i guess you could explain that he was trying to steal your car... but i have a feeling they'll be some legal crap to deal with

[MattG]

Originally Posted by Obsidian

My question to those of you who read this far what is and/or isn’t acceptable to do to a car when it’s unattended?

Attended or not, I believe the rules should be the same - look but don't touch. Ask the owner before laying even a finger on the car.

I love how you handled that incident. Very clever.

[swistun]

Originally Posted by Fungezap

, parking way out is good. But even there I wouldn't take more than one space. I saw a solstice yesterday that I was happy to see until I got close and read his tag, NOT URZ. I don't think its a good idea to set yourself up to be perceived as thinking your above the "commoners" out there.

I agree. Taking up 2 spaces in any situation is like asking to be keyed. All it takes is that one guy who is a prick, had a bad day, and wants to teach you a lesson...

I usually take an edge spot, and park really close to the curb. The Elise is so small, that on an average space you usually have plenty of room on the other side, and to the rear (for those wide turning Escalades). No problems so far.

[Eye Candy]

Two words: Aikido lessons.

I keep mine locked at all times. Don't mind admirers, but don't get in my car without permission.

[Bane]

Originally Posted by ddswanab

In Florida they have enacted a law where "car thieves" or jackers can be shot on site. Thats why I always carry my .38. Best part is the family cannot sue you in civil court either.

Would you want to shoot someone that's sitting in your car? Think of the mess!

That's an interesting law though... I wonder if it applies in Arizona (#1 car jacking hot spot). It would probaby stop a lot of car jacking if the police could just shoot a car jacker without attempting to arrest them first.