I always try and park well away from the crowds in the car park, always have done in any car I owned.

I'm getting a bit over protective of our new one, but one day someone or something may put a scar on it.

Mick

Edited 16 October, 201213 yr by MickA

Good idea ! I've had lots of damage in car parks due to other idiots being careless. Kids flinging their doors open is one dent maker ! I always open my kids doors for them to avoid them damaging other peoples cars. People who drive old bangers are a nightmare as well as they don't care about their own car let alone yours !

I've never seen a 5door citigo it looks kinda odd.

When we went to test drive a Citigo there were 3 and 5 door models to look at.

We eventually chose a 5 door.

I have to say the 3 door looks good, but I have my concerns about them.

1. Because the door is so long it is sometimes difficult to get in and out of the car, because you cant open it far enough if there is another car or other obstruction nearby.

The better half used to have a 3 series BMW coupe and it was a nightmare to get in and out of, you had to make sure you parked it with nothing close.

We carried out tests at the dealer with me stood a fixed distance away from the 3 and 5 door models, then tried to get in. Not easy ...

2. Having taken a good look at the door hinges, they seem to be the same for both models. Now you could say that the hinge was designed with the weight and leverage of the bigger door in mind and the 5 door models get a more robust hinge, but I was worried about dropped doors over time on the 3dr model.

We never park the Citigo far from other cars, it's always right next to other cars in public.

Because it's the car of choice when going to any place that's a bit busy.

The small width and small doors (it's a 5 door ) mean it's the perfect car to squeeze into tight spots.

On the 3 door -vs- 5 door debate... We have one of each and I prefer the looks and smaller door size of the 5.

The 3 door is a bit more funky and less sensible looking, it reminds me of a toy car. Sort of a pod on wheels.

When we went to test drive a Citigo there were 3 and 5 door models to look at.

We eventually chose a 5 door.

I have to say the 3 door looks good, but I have my concerns about them.

1. Because the door is so long it is sometimes difficult to get in and out of the car, because you cant open it far enough if there is another car or other obstruction nearby.

The better half used to have a 3 series BMW coupe and it was a nightmare to get in and out of, you had to make sure you parked it with nothing close.

We carried out tests at the dealer with me stood a fixed distance away from the 3 and 5 door models, then tried to get in. Not easy ...

2. Having taken a good look at the door hinges, they seem to be the same for both models. Now you could say that the hinge was designed with the weight and leverage of the bigger door in mind and the 5 door models get a more robust hinge, but I was worried about dropped doors over time on the 3dr model.

I wouldn't worry about dropped doors on a 3 door Citigo, I had a VW Lupo once ( 3 door ) and the door was probably about the same length as a 3 door Citigos and its never been an issue for Lupos or Seat Arosas. This is VAG build quality remember !

It is easier to get in and out of a 5 door due to shorter door length. But i've been close to a parked car in my 3 Door and got in and out ok.

The 3 Door has an egde looks wise for sure but the 5 Door looks great too.

Yep this is me all over - looking for the best parking space to reduce risk of damage, never park next to vans, never park next to rough looking cars (or people) and never next to people carriers. I try my best and the best success seems to be parking as far away from the shop as far as possible. My partner used to laugh at me until she got a ding on a two week old car - now she is a lot more careful.

Oh Mick that's scary we are so alike. I will drive to a spot like that, well away from other cars, and still, like you, find an end bay, and park against the end side as well. In multi stories I will drive to the top deck if necessary to get as far away as possible from others and find the biggest end bay as possible and again park on the side away from any possible neighbour. I cannot abide the carelessness of some people.

Yep this is me all over - looking for the best parking space to reduce risk of damage, never park next to vans,

I to are the same, even when in my van. .

I agree with everyone on here, and MickA, your photo is brilliant! I will also park in the furthest spot!

When I had my current car new, someone dented the door only 4 weeks from having it. I was only in a shop for 10 mins, and they had driven off. I was so disappointed, typical,it got a dent when it was new, I have had it 3 years no dents since!

I get my new citigo within the next 2 weeks, and not to temp fate, but will be certainly parking it away from others. It annoys me that people are so careless.

No doubt in my mind that some people do it on purpose and out of spite - but they are crafty with it and just let their kids throw the doors open.

I agree Crista that some people would do it out of spite, makes it so more annoying!

How does everyone find the citigo doors? Are they pretty strong? My current car the doors are like tin foil, and I always worry that when retuning to the carpark there will be another dent. At least if the doors are a bit tougher, I would worry a bit less (that's only if I am unable to park far away from everyone! )

Doors are pretty tough, the bonnet and roof a bit thin though.

The door on the 3 door are reassuringly heavy and shut with a nice thunk !

They still wouldn't save your paintwork though from careless parkers

I will be looking for some trim strips for the sides when I get mine - bit like on the Fabia SE Plus as they are usually very easy to fit (stick on). Not aware of anything for Citigo at the mo so will be checking other makes and models out with similar size doors. They help protect the sides tend to look a bit better too.

Like this?

http://www.carstyling2go.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=205

Like this?

http://www.carstylin...category_id=205

Well spotted. Look nice. My dilemma would be would I have a go myself or get the garage to fit them. It would drive me mad if they were not perfectly straight (5 door version) and uniform both sides.

In answer to the question, i ALWAYS try to park as far away from other cars as possible. Tried to do it Nottingham in a Tram park and ride car park. It was quiet when i got there.

Unfortunately it was the Saturday of the Goose Fair, and by the time i returned to the car i had TWO people carriers on either side and one had the dreaded "Children on board" stickers. It was very badly parked too, at an angle so, inevitably, i found a small dent at the back of my car!

Like this?

http://www.carstyling2go.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=205

Cheers Pete10 that's exactly what I mean and they will do just dandy - will be on order this afternoon.

Well spotted. Look nice. My dilemma would be would I have a go myself or get the garage to fit them. It would drive me mad if they were not perfectly straight (5 door version) and uniform both sides.

When I fit them I measure up from suitable datum points and then fit a strip of black insulation tape to check the line looks ok. Once you have that right it is easy to fit the rubber strips up to the edge of the tape.

At work i dont mind parking it near others, however if i go to the shops, its atleast 4 spaces radius from any other car. However i sadly have to park my car on the kerb outside my house at the one point of the road where it gets a bit thinner. So i park my car as far in on the kerb as i can, still leaving pedestrians enough space to get by. My neighbour who is a builder has alot of vehicles(including an old land rover, a Transit Work Van, a Merc Kompressor, a Lexus and sometimes have a corsa there too, all for a family of 3!) and they can be quite careless and have hit my families cars several times in the past.

In answer to the question, i ALWAYS try to park as far away from other cars as possible. Tried to do it Nottingham in a Tram park and ride car park. It was quiet when i got there.

Unfortunately it was the Saturday of the Goose Fair, and by the time i returned to the car i had TWO people carriers on either side and one had the dreaded "Children on board" stickers. It was very badly parked too, at an angle so, inevitably, i found a small dent at the back of my car!

AAaaaaaargh!!

At work i dont mind parking it near others, however if i go to the shops, its atleast 4 spaces radius from any other car. However i sadly have to park my car on the kerb outside my house at the one point of the road where it gets a bit thinner. So i park my car as far in on the kerb as i can, still leaving pedestrians enough space to get by. My neighbour who is a builder has alot of vehicles(including an old land rover, a Transit Work Van, a Merc Kompressor, a Lexus and sometimes have a corsa there too, all for a family of 3!) and they can be quite careless and have hit my families cars several times in the past.

Makes ye weep. The world is full of careless dopes.

careless isnt really the word, they are generally bad people.

Re original post, you could've parked in the trolley cover

I try and park away when I'm in my classics, but I also have a saxo for town driving and I don't really mind as much if it gets dinged