How Often Do Cars Get Key'd?

JustJames111 on 19/07/2019 - 13:54
Last edited 19/07/2019 - 13:55

I'm thinking about buying my mom a nice car for her birthday (Tesla in mind) as she's never had a nice car and lives a very modest lifestyle.

When I told my friends this they told me it would be a bad idea as Teslas are often key'd by strangers.

She lives west of Sydney around Ashfield/Burwood/Campsie/Strathfield area.

I wanted to open up to the general public to let me know how often this occurs?

Just in theory if I were to buy my mom a nice car and it gets keyed I would feel bad as it inadvertently was my fault for choosing that car.

Poll Options

  • 34
    Only if it's a nice car
  • 11
    Quite often
  • 280
    Not often
  • 37
    It depends
Automotive Tesla Inc

Comments

      • Soluble on 21/07/2019 - 11:21

        His question still remains. Still not a cheap birthday present!

  • Godric on 21/07/2019 - 01:20
    +1

    My car recently got debadged whilst parked at the train station

  • Daabido on 21/07/2019 - 15:40
    -1

    Buy her the new Mazda 3 sedan. It feels semi-premium now, drives brilliantly and won't attract the attention the Tesla would. It has a torque converter auto so will behave itself properly.

    Or just take her car shopping and see what she likes. I knew an elderly lady who bought a large Merc because her accountant insisted it would be the safest. This was some time ago so they probably did have the safety tech which is more common now. She hated it because it was heavy to drive.

    And I've forgotten the amount of times I've suggested that parents don't need super fast, exotically cooled computers that their well intentioned children want to buy them. Give your Mum some agency and she will appreciate it even more.

  • voiletmay on 21/07/2019 - 16:08

    They are too big a car. Buy her something smaller that she will be happy driving. A toyota, mazda, hyundai etc. take her for test drives (her driving) and get her to pick what she likes. One of them might have the window too high for her arm or something (we recently bought a new car and didn't buy a kia because height of the window on the door was too high). She needs to fit in it and be comfortable. Especially if she is getting older, she might not be comfortable in a particular car. My hubby (grand old age of 52) can no longer sit in a ford (been a ford man all his life). Fords hurt his hip.

    Cars get damaged at shopping centres really often too. Just get something that will blend in and wont attract attention.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/07/2019 - 16:33

    Keying isn't so much a problem as hoons trying to race you at the lights, I find. My wife has also complained that other drivers are more antagonistic and have a more aggressive driving style towards her when she's driving my car( a macan) or her work car (an F-pace). She has since returned the F-pace and bought a Santa Fe instead.

    • juki on 21/07/2019 - 23:49

      that rarely happens in a prius (especially in old lady colour)

  • jace88 on 21/07/2019 - 17:02
    +2

    Is your mum eve set up for an electric car or a Tesla? Like the charging points, not being able to refuel at petrol stations, the mechanics she would need to go to vs regular mechanic, the time it takes to recharge, the touchscreen interface, etc…

    IMO better luxury options out there which won’t be a total change for her unless she loves change? Or has expressed an interest in a Tesla. For me, I know my parents to know they would rather have a simple straightforward car or something not too different to what they’re familiar with but mine may just be older than yours.

    Ps. Back on topic, cars get keyed for various reasons but I’d say your driving and parking attitude leading up to you parking your car is as much of a contributing factor to how nice your car is and where you parked.

    • jace88 on 22/07/2019 - 23:13
      +1

      Man that above comment was horribly written… sorry all, not sure why when typing on my iPhone I end up with some very odd word choices/grammar :S

    • Thinkscape on 23/07/2019 - 09:17
      +2

      Tesla is the ultimate simplistic car: no need to ever go to petrol stations because it's fully charged every morning, no going to mechanics because they don't break down (and if they do, mechanic comes to your house), time to recharge (i.e. 40mins on SC) only matters on road trips (300km+) and usually you're supposed to take a break after driving for i.e. 5 hours, touchscreen interface is much easier to learn than 90 buttons and knobs on a modern benz, audi etc.

  • sathion on 21/07/2019 - 18:27
    +2

    My 2018 Honda Jazz (bought in Nov last year) has been keyed 3 times and door dinged 5 and I don't even park near other people. I go out of my way to avoid other cars in parking lots the best I can and this still happens…

  • russianhacker on 21/07/2019 - 18:33
    -7

    I only key cars if they; abuse me in traffic, park in a disabled spot without a displayed permit or take a parents with prams spot without children.

    • [Deactivated] on 21/07/2019 - 19:37

      How about parents with prams who parked in disabled car spots? How do you feel about that?

      • brendanm on 21/07/2019 - 21:28
        +1

        Key it and smash a quarter window.

      • Omitsukasa on 22/07/2019 - 11:22

        Having a kid isn't a disability though.

        • [Deactivated] on 22/07/2019 - 12:58
          +3

          Exactly! Procreating is a choice , having a disability is not. I saw a mother berating the driver of a disability centre van, with 4 clients in the back, for parking in a 'parent with pram spot' the other day. He tried to explain that he couldn't find a disabled one but she would have none of that. Security had to get involved.

          On the same day , another mother insisted that she was served before the 5 other customers patiently waiting in line because she had a toddler in tow 🙄

          What is it about spawning that makes some people believe they are special and the whole world needs to kowtow to them and their needs? What kind of examples are they setting for their little ones?

          /Rant

          Edit: BTW, I have 3 little spawns of my own and I've never asked for any special favours from strangers.

      • funnysht on 22/07/2019 - 13:35
        -1

        same shit..doesn't matter if you're a parent with a pram you're still able to wheel it.. i award ppl who key cars for doing shit like parking in disabled spots etc

        • jace88 on 22/07/2019 - 23:16

          I get where you're coming from and the general perception of disabled users vs parents with prams, but I don't think the 'needs' are that different in the sense that now that I have a pram for a newborn, the issue is being able to open doors/boot/etc big enough to get the stuff out of the car, have it sit still (with brake), move the baby in/out, etc… it's what I would imagine to be quite similar to how you would go about helping someone in and out of a wheelchair with the number of 'steps' you need to take, as well as hoping you aren't blocking the flow of traffic because of the limited space you have around the parked vehicle to open things up and unfold (or fold up) the chair/pram.

          That being said, having friends who are disabled and need the spot, I would never take a disabled spot - it feels 'wrong'. But I do get most annoyed at seeing people just park in the pram spots because it was available (no apparent disability or kids in sight).

          • funnysht on 23/07/2019 - 00:26

            @jace88: a lot of mothers with prams feel they are entitled, and the world should serve them.. No.

            • jace88 on 23/07/2019 - 02:57

              @funnysht: I don’t know if entitled is the right word but having to deal with a pram now I really appreciate just that little extra space in larger parking spots so I can set the frame up and then put bassinet on top.

    • pilchard on 21/07/2019 - 21:03

      how many cars have abused you in traffic?

    • lltravel on 22/07/2019 - 08:47
      +5

      You should be charged for damage. You have no right to key anyone's car even if the abused you.

      I hope you get caught one day

      • Omitsukasa on 22/07/2019 - 20:20
        +1

        Those people who park irresponsibly and illegally should be charged. But often they don't and get away with it.

        They deserve to be keyed. If only they aren't being pricks in the first place.

        • lltravel on 23/07/2019 - 08:46

          so you fix crime by committing one? Real smart!

          Parking is a victimless crime. It hurts no one and its a simple money grab by the councils.

          • Omitsukasa on 23/07/2019 - 17:14

            @lltravel: You sound like you're justifying how it's ok to park a car over two spots or in a disabled spot because you think it's all just "a money grab by the councils".

            Just because no one gets hurt physically doesn't mean it's victimless. You're causing inconvenience to others because of pure selfishness. Go obey the law (because others dutifully are) and you won't have issues of this kind.

            • lltravel on 24/07/2019 - 08:50

              @Omitsukasa: You're kidding, right? Have you seen the tactics by the councils? They will book you if you're 1 minute late. Keep sucking up to the MAN

              I guess you're ok with giving your money away

              I can see why people park in 2 car parking spots is because people open their doors like running out a building thats on fire and ding the doors

              Some of us work hard for our money and cars and having someone key or damage it is the last thing we want.

              I have had someone key my car for no reason. I was parked away from everyone next to a wall. How do you justify that?

              I don't condone anyone parking in a disabled spot but even if they do they don't deserve to be keyed.

    • lostn on 22/07/2019 - 15:21
      +1

      I only key cars if they; abuse me in traffic

      How do they abuse you? Do they call you names?

      And how do you key their car? Do you follow them and wait for them to leave the car, then go and key them? Or do you get out while you're at the lights and key them while they're still in the car?

      • funnysht on 23/07/2019 - 09:55

        the abuse they yell tends to be "stop f*ing keying my car your keyr"

    • trapper on 23/07/2019 - 12:53
      +1

      Man you are a scumbag….

  • troy1976 on 21/07/2019 - 20:26
    -1

    A quick search doesn't show stats for 'keyed' cars but I suspect a reasonable percentage wouldn't be reported plus many 'keyings' are actually probably people who scraped their own car by accident and are claiming it on their policy.

    Agree with others though - Tesla sounds more like for you than her unless she's unusually tech savvy and has charging stations near where she goes. How about just a C class Merc? Easy to manoeuvre, 'prestige' but not overly likely to agitate the easily agitated. You might even feel disappointment in her own reaction when she doesn't 'get' what you bought her.

    On a whole different magnitude of cost I've often given my parents big updates in their PC tech and they seem non-plussed because mostly they don't do anything where it matters and where it does they still generally don't notice. I can't even get them to understand they don't need to close a program to open another so having extra cores and another 4GB RAM doesn't do that much for their browsing of news websites and forwarding ridiculous emails to their old friends.

    I have never been keyed and I've been driving for over 27 years. That said, every car gets 'keyed' in a way if you park it anywhere other than your private garage. I've literally had people open their doors onto my car at the supermarket while I was sitting in my car and they still didn't care nor bother to apologise or give details. The stress of an expensive car I think isn't worth it. Even my own car (~$40k new) had me worried about parking it on-street and overnight for the first few years. People generally are pretty scummy when it comes to that stuff.

    If it worries you, I don't recommend any sort of expensive car at all.

  • justwii on 21/07/2019 - 20:35

    Can you put on those cover up thingy to disguise your mum's Tesla into some crappy old junk?

  • [Deactivated] on 21/07/2019 - 21:39

    If you have your heart set on getting the Tesla, the model x P100D with ludicrous mode is a lot more fun to drive that I ever expected an electric car to be. It is also the safest ( and fastest) SUV on the market.

    On second thoughts, possibly an overkill for your mum…

  • aurotaro on 21/07/2019 - 22:30
    +1

    The Tesla will still drive even if keyed. Go for it. You're a good son!

  • neostarsx on 22/07/2019 - 09:36
    +1

    If you are worried about getting keyed Telsa model 3 are the best car for it.
    Sentry mode is awesome.

    • resisting the urge on 22/07/2019 - 11:52

      A Model 3 looks so like a Mazda 3 you'd be unlucky to get it keyed anywhere really, but a lot of it is down to (lack of) luck

      But at least if your Tesla is keyed, you can choose to get a quality paint job done (Paint seems the major quality 'issue' with Teslas, though the way the corporation can watch you, hear you and track you seems a pretty major one too. Not to mention change the car's configuration/software etc. Brilliant tech though).

  • John on 22/07/2019 - 10:32

    A bit off topic but have you considered whether your mom will feel burdened at the high maintenance cost the car may come with? You said she has been living a very modest lifestyle. Having a luxury car may mean changing that part of her lifestyle which she may not feel comfortable with.

  • Jackkkkkk on 22/07/2019 - 11:43
    +2

    Never buying a new car again. So many inconsiderate degenerate P.O.S who let their trolleys/car fly and damage other cars without any care. So glad I've sold my new car (hit with a few car/trolley dings) the stress isn't worth having a nice car.

  • bobolo on 22/07/2019 - 12:30
    +1

    Spend a bit more money to get PPF applied on the car. This will make the car pretty much key proof unless they took a hacksaw to it which would not be likely if parked in a public place and the attacker didn't want to attract attention

    Be mindful of where to park. Unfortunately we live in a society where there are all sorts of haters, tall poppy syndrome w**kers, and people who are downright inconsiderate of other peoples belongings. For example, park further away in isolated areas in a Westfield, close to pillars etc to avoid getting dinged

    And just enjoy the car. Its impossible to keep any car the same condition as it was brand new. Scuffs, swirls, small scratches, stone chips etc are inevitable - even in a Ferrari. Worst case is to get individual panels resprayed

  • Shiny Mew on 22/07/2019 - 13:01

    What do you do for a living? I'd love to do the same thing for my parents but the property boom has sailed and there isn't that much money in law.

  • nubzy on 22/07/2019 - 14:53
    +1

    Invest in a dash cam and power bank, and try to park in areas with wide parking spaces/columns in between and with plenty of security cameras around. Can't stand degenerates who go around vandalising other peoples property, opening car doors onto adjacent cars or leaving the trolley in the carpark instead of returning to the trolley bay. Thought for others seems to have gone out the window over the past 10 years, people too caught up in their own little bubbles. Would just love to catch them in the act or see their face when they get a call from the police after handing in video footage..

    • jace88 on 22/07/2019 - 23:17

      I had a dashcam with backup battery/etc but in all honesty it won't catch someone keying your car. You might see them in the video but it's unlikely you can prove they're the ones who keyed the car because of where dashcams normally face.

      Exception being that guy who jumped on car bonnets for fun (was in the news a while back) in which case then you would catch them… but not sure whether you'd be able to get compensation.

    • CVonC on 23/07/2019 - 10:19
      +4

      leaving the trolley in the carpark instead of returning to the trolley bay

      That pisses me off so much ffs!

  • lostn on 22/07/2019 - 15:20
    +1

    I've never been keyed but I've been dinged and even smashed many times despite my best efforts to park in the middle of the bay.

  • THICKnSLOW on 22/07/2019 - 16:56
    +1

    You'd think Tesla would create an anti-keying feature on their cars, considering it's all electric and the body is metal.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/07/2019 - 19:58

      I like the way you think!

  • abuch47 on 22/07/2019 - 19:05
    +1

    More money than sense

    • Cletus vandamme on 22/07/2019 - 20:12

      well looking at his past posts he just moved out of his house and is renting with 2 other friends but has the cash to buy his mum a tesla. so i think hes just one of those guys that wants people hes never met to think hes loaded.

      • [Deactivated] on 22/07/2019 - 21:53

        To be fair, he did say he was earning over $100k in that thread.

        • Cletus vandamme on 22/07/2019 - 22:17

          He did say he had 120k savings too. Guess he's a very good son then for blowing all that on a car.

  • mousie on 22/07/2019 - 19:18

    Buy mom a Lexus.

    It's more of a rich old ladies car. Otherwise ppl will be drag racing ur mom on Parramatta road.

  • AustriaBargain on 22/07/2019 - 21:50
    +2

    Are you the mythical average OZBargainer who's income is 400k per year?

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2019 - 10:14

    Been driving for 25 years here.

    Car keyed experience = NIL.

    Door dents from carparks = too many.

    But:

    I dont park where i shouldn't be.

    I dont leave my car on the streets overnight. Always within my own driveway / garage, and not in front of others' properties in the last 15 years.

    Knowing and respecting boundaries help.

    Having said that, i have never paid a car more than the LCT limit aka I am not a crazy rich person :)

  • CVonC on 23/07/2019 - 10:16

    All depends. Parked my then 13 year old Corolla at bloody Rooty Hill for the first time last year for some house party I didn't even want to go to (I hate that area). My car was parked on the kerb of the next house, 2 cars were parked on the kerb in front of the house, and 1 car was parked on the drive way. All of us on the kerb got keyed. Mine was keyed along all 4 panels on the right side. The other car wasn't as bad but the other one which was an older, borrowed Integra or something (can't remember) was keyed all over, bonnet was ruined. Prior to that it hadn't been touched. Ended up getting it fixed for like $1000.

    Had a Civic that got dinged while parked on the street near uni too.

  • polyteknika on 23/07/2019 - 11:55

    I keyed someone's car when they parked into my spot, after I already indicated for it. I had been waiting a good two minutes as well.
    They thought they could get away with it and tried to ignore me after the fact.
    Unfortunately, they were wrong.

  • trapper on 23/07/2019 - 12:51

    Tesla is amazing and I would absolutely love one, but is it really the right choice for your mum?

    Just saying she might notice the down sides more than the up sides. Needing to plug somewhere to charge, lower range, etc

  • Mike88 on 23/07/2019 - 13:23

    Depends on whether they intend on stealing people’s car spaces at the shops.

  • Aerith-Waifu on 23/07/2019 - 17:03

    One thing you didn’t put into thought is break in.

    If your mum has a Tesla parked st the front some crooks might think pay a different visit some day.

    Unless there is a real need for a car like Tesla. Don’t buy a car like Tesla

  • Gauntlet on 23/07/2019 - 19:06

    Son? It's me! Your real mum!

  • whucenoath on 23/07/2019 - 21:50

    Will the car be driven to the shops? Trolleys, handbags, kids, bags, doors to name a few, take your pick.

  • Hypersupernever on 24/07/2019 - 10:58

    Not so much keyed but my car has accumulated numerous dents from other vehicles parked beside mine, where the next vehicle simply swings their door open hitting the side door the the car beside.

  • SlavOz on 24/07/2019 - 14:20

    If the car gets keyed, why would you feel bad? It's not useless if it's keyed. It's still a car that she can enjoy and use everyday so the benefit of you buying it is still there.

    It may or may not get keyed, like any car. That's the risk you take and why most people get comprehensive insurance. Being a Tesla certainly doesn't mean it's more likely to get keyed. It's not like you're buying her a Ferrari.

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