Valet Parking
 

Just curious if you guys let valets park your car. I plan on buying my z soon and I have some functions coming up that require valet parking. Plus some restaurants I go to have valet parking only and there is no place to park on the street. When I would valet park my s2000,sometimes I would keep coming out every 15 min making sure the kids were not doing burnouts,and other times I would just say screw it obviously not enjoying my dinner. Some places I went they would let me park in the front and let me keep my keys but these were small restaurants and that did not happen to often. New Years Eve when I went to a catering hall to celebrate the valet was commenting on my pickup truck how he loved the color and how he wanted one. Its stock and nothing special so I looked at him like he had 2 heads but it was a nice compliment. So I can imagine when u guys pull up in any 370z. I plan on buying the nismo.

I think they drive cars better than ours on a daily basis. It's no big deal for them.

If the valets crash your car, they dont cover it. My friends and I went to a restaurant that had valet parking. After dinner we found out the valet crashed my friends car (prius). Insurance nor the valet/restaurant didnt cover it. Had to spend few grands out of his own pocket.

oh and btw, I wont let valet take my car.

We have valet keys that won't allow the car to rev past I think 2500 rpm.

I park it myself. Not worth them tearing off my lip or scratching my future Volks.

Depends on the place. Never really had any issues valet parking cars, even the S.

I prefer to park myself, but if I ever have to valet I have never had an issue with it. I've had the Z valet parked a number of times.

Thats crazy I do not understand how a restaurant would not take responsibility for a negligent employee. Of course they would say it was an accident and it is not their problem. Worst case scenario the valet gets fired and they wipe their hands.

Some valets have drove better cars then the zs especially in so cal. Shouldn't be an issue.

Places that valet park cars are legally obligated to carry insurance. Sounds like your buddy got taken for a ride.

What? Please clarify if this is a serious comment. Thank you.

Thats true I thought so to but thats why I was surprised the valet complimented me on my truck when a brand new g37 was bought around and a Cadillac CTS-V at the same time and the valets just handed them the keys. It was just that the valet liked that particular truck and he wanted to buy one. So you may get a valet that really likes the 370z and wants to test it out.

I believe you need an Uprev tune to enable a valet mode.

Exactly...

pretty much.

Oh, so the spare key in the FOB doesn't limit the revs or anything? The Uprev tune...valet mode can just be turned on and off at will?

Nope, it's just a spare key.

And yes... I think there is a specific sequence of buttons you press with the Uprev tune to engage/disable valet mode.

so when valet parking just give the guy the key. you keep the fob.
when you get ready to leave give him the fob back insert key and get your car back.............

So basically, the only thing that's disabled is the fobgina.

straight from the manual
 

VALET HAND-OFF
When you have to leave a key with a valet, give
them the Intelligent Key itself and keep the
mechanical key with you to protect your
belongings.
To prevent the glove box from being opened
during valet hand-off, follow the procedures
below.
1. Remove the mechanical key from the Intelligent
Key.
2. Lock the glove box with the mechanical key.
3. Hand the Intelligent Key to the valet, keeping
the mechanical key in your pocket or bag for
insertion into the Intelligent Key when you
retrieve your vehicle.

Right. Just found it in the manual. There's always something new to learn about these cars!

I just give them a couple bucks and park it myself, that way the valets don't generally complain. Just ask them where to park.

thanks for the good tip

Good info if I decide to valet. Thanks for the responses.

usually they park my car up front with the nice cars so it doesn't move much.. Idk why they park it with the nice cars though lol

Um because its also nice may not cost as much but its still nice :tup:

Be careful of those valet people. This could be your car. :eek2:

YouTube - Valet abusing cars in a parking garage

Wow it does not matter what kind of car you drive,they will still abuse the hell out of it.

i used to be a valet...way back in highschool and i never abused cars. i drove tons and tons of nice cars. neither me nor my coworkers at the time abused any of them. unless you count stalling of course (tough driving all sorts of different clutches). ive driven everything from vanilla civics to maserati's and ferraris. the only car i DID abuse was a 996 turbo droptop with a tune. was valeting for a private party at a mansion at the time and our lot was probably an 1/8 mile up the mountain. needless to say, he threw me the keys and told me to let him know what i thought of his new tune. ill never forget the sheer amount of torque that car put out...its likely the fastest car ive ever driven. :yum:

with that said, i dont normally valet my z, but i did do it one time. asian kid that reminded me of myself got in and parked it within viewing distance. he also ran to get it when i returned and complimented the car. although ive never had a bad experience, theres definitely valets out there that will abuse your car. its hit and miss...but im hoping to get an uprev tune in the future for that sweet valet mode (the one that you can activate through the cruise controls)

Absolutely NOT. I park myself and WAY in the back.

:iagree:

I have friends that valet. It depends on the workers. some may screw around and some may not. Also it depends on how busy the place is. If its slow and there are 2 or more workers, most likely they might go for a quick drive. If its busy, they wont have the time.

:iagree:
I valeted all throughout college and still pick up valet shifts on the weekends. I'd say it really depends on the company/venue you work for. I've worked for some companies that are extremely professional and I've worked for others who don't care as long as they make a quick buck. It really depends on the morality of the valet attendant.

I park so far away, I need another car just to get me to the door.

Valet Parking?
 

Curious how many of you allow Valet's to park your Z? I've had my 2013 Z for about a month, first time letting Valet park it and I was nervous but trying not to be a snob about my car. Worst fear came true. Valet wrecked it, huge dent in back bumper (they backed it into the car in the spot next to where they were trying to park). Now my brand new Z is at the body shop getting a new bumper.

So I'm never letting a valet park my car again. Am I overreacting?

I hate handing keys over to Valet's, with my 370z I dont think I could give up the keys. I would prefer to park it myself, or stay at hotels where you look down on the parking lot (although not always an option).

I know the feeling. haha

If there's good chance I'll have to valet, I take a different car. I've heard too many scary stories from friends that used to valet for a living.

Daaannnnggg that has always been my biggest fear! But at the same don't wanna be snobby either. But from reading ur story I will continue to park my Z! Sorry to hear though.

Since I have a 6MT, I'll NEVER valet.

If I have a 7AT, maybe.

OP - I'd look into filing a claim for diminished value for your Z as well.