Do you reverse park your Miata?

[Jeremiah]

Do you reverse park your NC? I was just curious how many people out there like to park rear in vs. nose in. I used to always park nose in but now its reverse after nearly being clipped by a speedy/reckless driver in a parking lot.

My reasons for reverse parking are:

1. Better visibility/less chance of collision with cars/pedestrians.

2. Aesthetically looks better when a car is backed in.

3. Quicker get away.

*IIRC many government/military organizations require workers to back into spaces for safety/visibility reasons.

P.S. Bear in mind I always park in the back of the lot to avoid dings/dents so when reverse parking, its easy to just pull forward into a space since there are many vacancies. Now if I will be parking towards the front, I only back in if there is no traffic behind me.

[— fwdtamiya —]

Any downsides to nose out?

I'm thinking about it, after driving around this area. espcially because it's so simple in a miata. So many crazy drivers here, going around me while I'm backing out or not paying attention at all. I can't count the number of times I've almost been clipped. I had one honk at me because he was speeding in the parking lot and thought he was gonna go around me while I was halfway out of a spot, I reversed faster and made sure he would have to brake.

[WASABI]

ALWAYS back in!!! I do it as it's the safest way to leave the space once you're done. I also like the esthetics as well.

[—tsingson—]

I reverse into parking spaces with all of my vehicles. I also make sure I pull all the way through if there is no one parked in front of me.

[SM16RMSM]

I back in for the coolness factor and being a bad ***.

[Andy]

My university does not allow us to back in. I have no idea why.

[JamieH]

Depends on the spot. Most angled spots I just drive into. Most, because sometimes the situation will make backing in easier. Most straight spots I'll back into. Sometimes a crowded lot with everyone playing musical chairs I'll just pull into one. Regardless of how I park, I never park all the way in. Helps me spot her sometimes when coming back out and keeps people from thinking they've found a spot only to find a small car instead.

[Golden Stallion]

I always back in . easier for me and I'm kind of in highschool....highschoolers and parking lots don't go well together. funny thing is my parents never let me back in with a permit so the first week of driving, i would just be there adjusting like 4 times when parking

[Demon I Am]

With all my cars I try to reverse park/pull through. I also try to look for spots close to curbs, and hug the curb, so that I only have to worry being dinged on one side.

[—atank—]

If I can't back in, I try to find a pull through, then let the air out and drop it like its HOT!!!!!........

[etikoner]

As long as there's no signs stating "Head In Parking Only" I'll park in reverse.

[Pfunk]

Here in Japan everyone backs in, nearly 100% of the time. On the flip side, there is nearly no parallel parking, and most cannot do it.

[SM16RMSM]

Here in Japan everyone backs in, nearly 100% of the time. On the flip side, there is nearly no parallel parking, and most cannot do it.

Funny you mention it. Parallel parking is not a requirement on the FL driver exam but in the front yard there are two trees and my mom made me learn how to parallel park.



Try parking this beast between two trees with about 2 feet between the front bumper and rear bumper. After so many tries and finally learning how to, I can parallel park so easily yet it funny watching others who have no idea how to.

[jnshk]

Funny you mention it. Parallel parking is not a requirement on the FL driver exam but in the front yard there are two trees and my mom made me learn how to parallel park.

http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/66273908.jpg

Try parking this beast between two trees with about 2 feet between the front bumper and rear bumper. After so many tries and finally learning how to, I can parallel park so easily yet it funny watching others who have no idea how to.

The local DPS/DMV office is located next door to where I work. I never get tired of watching peoples failed attempts to parallel park (testing during business hours, practicing after hours). Sometimes I want to help them out by giving them hand signal directions from across the street, but I figure they're usually probably distracted and stressed with everything else to pay any attention to me.

As to backing-in vs nose-in parking, it really all depends on the situation. There are a lot of "angled" spots in this area which are only intended for nose-in parking and would actually be more dangerous if backed into, but if it's a lot with perpendicular spaces and poor visibility then I will back in about 50% of the time (depending on if I'm going to be in more of a hurry to get in or to get out).

[Andy]

I still do not understand why there would be a need for a no head in parking sign. How could it affect anything negatively?