Hate the suburbs

[trick]

Backed out of my parent's driveway (deep in the 'burbs) and the gutter/curb was so high from the street to their driveway that it clipped the bottom of my FIT. I know there is a ugly black piece of...something...down there that is supposed to protect the car from just this, but this mountain of a curb clipped the left edge just under my fog light. You can't see it when you look straight on, but if you crouch you can see it just slightly (I'll post a few pics when I have a moment). Although this isn't monumental, I was understandably annoyed.

Guess that is what I get for driving a city car in the suburbs. I'll be parking on the street from now on.

This happen to anyone else?

-P

[Kittengolf]

Dude I have to park in an alley with hills on both ends. And I don't ever scrape. Either it was chasm-like drop off from the skirt to the road, or you were testing the fits reverse speed capabilities. Trick, meet Brake Pedal. Im sure you two will get along just fine.

[reako]

Yep. Too bad for you man, that sucks! Personally, I will not tiptoe around everywhere for fear of scratching my Fit; I take it anywhere she will go. If I had AWD and a bit more ground clearance things might get a little crazy.

I have scratched my bumper in that exact same area many thousands of miles ago. If you really wanted to you could use touch up paint on it, or hell get the whole thing repainted. Personally, I feel it gives my car character. When it's on a plastic area such as that, not causing any harm to the vehicle, no harm no foul I say. I don't want to have to go out to the garage with a magnifying glass, mirror, and a flashlight everytime myself, a friend, or family member comes home in my Fit...just drive and enjoy! The only time I would worry is if the damage is very noticeable or it affects the vehicle negatively. Again that's just my way of seeing my vehicle. Mine is not a show car, it's a mini-utility vehicle for me. Enjoy your Fit!

[trick]

Heh, naw, I be driving like a grandmother--I made it a point to ease it down, however, the curb had other plans.

I think the curbs in my parents neighborhood must be inordinately tall, for whatever reason. Feel like I'm piloting the death star trench when I pull down their street. No more driveway for my Fit.

-P

[trick]

Originally Posted by reako

Yep. Too bad for you man, that sucks! Personally, I will not tiptoe around everywhere for fear of scratching my Fit. I take my Fit anywhere and everywhere she will go. If I had AWD and a bit more ground clearance things might get a little crazy.

I have scratched my bumper in that exact same area many thousands of miles ago. If you really wanted to you could use touch up paint on it, or hell get the whole thing repainted. Personally, I feel it gives my car character. When it's on a plastic area such as that, not causing any harm to the vehicle, no harm no foul I say. I don't want to have to go out to the garage with a magnifying glass, mirror, and a flashlight everytime myself, a friend, or family member comes home in my Fit...just drive and enjoy! The only time I would worry is if the damage is very noticeable or it affects the vehicle negatively. Again that's just my way of seeing my vehicle. Mine is not a show car, it's a mini-utility vehicle for me, I throw everything at it I think it should be able to handle. Enjoy your Fit!

Thanks for the advice (fixing it and coming to terms with it)--I'm trying to ease myself into the idea that my car WILL get scratches and dings along the way. It might take a while...

Now if I can just get my g/f to quit kicking the side of the door when she gets out...

-P

[jzerocsk]

I'd rather be in the burbs than in the city where it's all street parking and your bumper gets destroyed by all of the people who can't parallel park...

[Kittengolf]

Originally Posted by trick

Thanks for the advice (fixing it and coming to terms with it)--I'm trying to ease myself into the idea that my car WILL get scratches and dings along the way. It might take a while...

Now if I can just get my g/f to quit kicking the side of the door when she gets out...

-P

Ease into the way I did. Have a friend bump a standing shop light so that it falls onto your hood. It makes you feel completely different about trying to maintain the perfection of the outside of the car.

As for the girlfriend next time she does it, kick her in the ass and say "How do you like it?"

Also if you are ever up in Dayton, hit me up.

[reako]

Originally Posted by Kittengolf

Ease into the way I did. Have a friend bump a standing shop light so that it falls onto your hood. It makes you feel completely different about trying to maintain the perfection of the outside of the car.

Okay that....would me angry lol. I bet you'll never forget that sound..... CLANGG!!

[trancedsailor]

I never understood you stock-height scrapers...my advice is don't lower your car lol

[trick]

Originally Posted by Kittengolf

Ease into the way I did. Have a friend bump a standing shop light so that it falls onto your hood. It makes you feel completely different about trying to maintain the perfection of the outside of the car.

As for the girlfriend next time she does it, kick her in the ass and say "How do you like it?"

Also if you are ever up in Dayton, hit me up.

Oh man, that is harsh. Guess I don't have that much of a right to gripe then.

Ha, something tells me she won't appreciate the point I'm trying to make with that particular demonstration, but thanks.

Will do.

-P

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by trick

Backed out of my parent's driveway (deep in the 'burbs) and the gutter/curb
-P

gutter curb? hahaha. man, you are really out of touch from the real world. come out to modern living out from the old hick-style city life.


i think you're suppose to back out from the driveway
and not over the grass where the gutter curb is kinda
steep.

[trick]

Pictures.

OK, so it isn't that bad (especially from the front).

Front:



Under:



Beauty Shot:



-P

[reako]

Here's mine.. Looks like someone ran into/over a curb. Oh well, life goes on brother!

[itFITz]

buy the blue tape if ur really concerned about UNDER your car
learn to start angle'n ur car even if you literally go sideways.. i have a high driveway and i have a seriously slammed integra.. lol trust me i have issues all the time.

[Ein]

Just be glad you don't own one of these.

YouTube - Supercars do France part 3 - Top Gear - BBC Autos

Watch into the 3 min mark.

[Cat]

I live in WV where we have a lot of dips and low spots. I cringe everytime I have to drive the Fit over these spots. Just like above learn to use angles and it can often help - as far as why they have those deep gutters in the burbs because most people in the burbs are driving curb jumping SUV's not micros with lower riding body kits that are stocker!

Cat :x

[wavemasta]

wow... you're not even lowered man... im not lowered and i drive my car into onto curbs every time, without even scraping anything.. you just have to angle it, and take it slowly but surely..

[iheartJDM]

you should see my lip haha

[MNfit]

I would not worry to much about a little scraping for your lip. My car is lowered and for 2 years of driving it it has its fair share of scrapes and scratches under the lip. Just this morning I was leaving a store with a steep exit way and dint leave it quit right trying to get into busy traffic and heard a loud scrape. I cringed and let out a loud F-bomb but got over it because its on the under side and not visible unless you lay down and look. Basically what im trying to say is your going to get scratches especially if your lowered but as long as there is not visible damage I would not worry about it and try a different approach the next time.