[jdmartin]

Same here. I'm used to driving cars with longer wheel bases, so when I parallel park the Soul, I'm usually about a foot & a half from the curb. Embarrassing.

I look for spots now where I can pull in head first

I grew up in the city. I can parallel park with 2 points instead of three.

 

[GeoSoul]

I grew up in the city. I can parallel park with 2 points instead of three.

I think that's the trick jd. When I worked in the city I could parallel park easy peasy, mostly because that's almost the only type of parking available.

Practice makes perfect, and man, I'm waaay out of practice.

 

[Tree 44]

That’s definitely one advantage to the Soul. It’s easy to parallel park.

 

[Hammerhead]

That’s definitely one advantage to the Soul. It’s easy to parallel park.

Yes it is. Back up camera really helps too.

 

[TosenR]

...I look for spots now where I can pull in head first

In shopping center lots I look for spaces where I can pull in all the way though so that when I leave I drive forward, not back out.

A partial habit I got into when driving my F-150 for which the visibility to the rear was pretty bad. Anything (or anyone) next to the backend of my truck and shorter than a good 4ft tall (height of the tailgate) would be hidden to me.

 

[MonsterSoul]

I used to be good at parallel parking, I had to do it all the time.
Not so much anymore.

I am glad to have a driveway to park on, and a parkway to drive on.

 

[MonsterSoul]

Credit to George Carlin for the driveway parkway line.

 

[celronart]

Now I know I'm loosing it. Just almost totaled my old '03 Focus, by running over a parking cement barrier! Forgot it was just in front when I parked it. Which reminds me, I'm always forgetting where I left my car in the supermarket lot.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Parallel parking is really enhanced with the surround view cameras.

 

[SailDesign]

Parallel parking is really enhanced with the surround view cameras.

It's better enhanced when you back your car slowly up to a wooden fence until it just touches, so you KNOW when it is about to touch something. The camera helps a lot, but I still look through the back window a lot of the time.

 

[Cash2010]

All states should require a driving test on a road course that includes a wet skid pad. Weave through cones etc. I bet most drivers couldn't pass it. I'm 67 years old and while I don't have the same concentration or reflexes I did 20 years ago, not bragging but I could out drive 90% of the people on the road today. And yes when I was in my 30s I drove a race car on a local track. Most drivers, in a dangerous situation freeze and lock the brakes. Proper way, modulate brakes and steer through it. And don't even get me started on women with cell phones.

Awwww come on, please don't insult me with that women on cell phones. I just came back from a 9 hour drive from Houston and the majority of idiots driving in the left lane, on cell phones were men. One of which was texting and people were fighting to get around his stupid a$$. I do drive a 2010 Soul, stick and learned how to when I was about 14 back in the 70s. Lol.
Irregardless, this story is absurd. If I leave my car anywhere which is rare, I always ask if they can drive a stick.

 

[westslope]

Awwww come on, please don't insult me with that women on cell phones. I just came back from a 9 hour drive from Houston and the majority of idiots driving in the left lane, on cell phones were men. One of which was texting and people were fighting to get around his stupid a$$. I do drive a 2010 Soul, stick and learned how to when I was about 14 back in the 70s. Lol.
Irregardless, this story is absurd. If I leave my car anywhere which is rare, I always ask if they can drive a stick.

Fine.

But don't 'Men of Great Stature' have rights that do not apply to the rest of us? Is not death by automobile familiar, family friendly and deity approved?

 

[Hammerhead]

Awwww come on, please don't insult me with that women on cell phones. I just came back from a 9 hour drive from Houston and the majority of idiots driving in the left lane, on cell phones were men. One of which was texting and people were fighting to get around his stupid a$$. I do drive a 2010 Soul, stick and learned how to when I was about 14 back in the 70s. Lol.
Irregardless, this story is absurd. If I leave my car anywhere which is rare, I always ask if they can drive a stick.

Don't know where you live but in my area 90% of female drivers have cell phones up to their ear. Some men but lots more female.

 

[GeoSoul]

Don't know where you live but in my area 90% of female drivers have cell phones up to their ear. Some men but lots more female.

There are definitely statistics that seem to back your observations Hammerhead.
Females More Likely Than Males to Engage in Distracted Driving

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...-use-mobile-phones-while-driving-study-finds/

Let's face it, gender differences in driving exist

 

[MonsterSoul]

I hope the tech does not crash my bike while testing it.
But if they do I think it is on them and their employers insurance.

 

[TosenR]

Now I know I'm loosing it. Just almost totaled my old '03 Focus, by running over a parking cement barrier! Forgot it was just in front when I parked it....

Damn! How much damage?

One thing I miss about my old pickup - even though it was 2-wheel drive and not 4x4 - was the ground clearance.

 

[TosenR]

...but I still look through the back window a lot of the time.

I look but doesn't help me much. I have a difficult time accurately judging distance behind me. Off to either side I'm not bad (usually) but behind me, terrible.