I've noticed that too, one of my future mod plans is too add the body-side molding off a Limited onto my Sport. Anyone know if I can buy Khaki molding right from the dealer? Or will I have too get it painted first.

 

Maybe the manufacturers are only concerned about how the vehicle looks at first purchase, and the bodyside moldings due tend to add visual clutter. Personally, I don't think they look so hot on a Patriot, because there's already a crease in the sheet metal on the side. Adding molding is a bit much. Besides, it'll get in the way of my dent collecting.

I kinda look at Jeeps the way I look at pickups; one of the advantages of buying one is that I don't have to care if it gets dented.

 

People always wonder why I park at the far end of mall and supermarket parking lots. That's one way to avoid the dreaded door dings. . I still have "new car syndrome" 10 years after. (wasn't there a band by that name?)

 

I park at the back of lots. To many people don't have the common courtesy or respect for others and personal property like they should.

 

I think the mfg. is concerned about the $50 cost it adds per vehicle. The stylist is concerned that it dilutes the style line on the side. The dealer is concerned that it is another part to fix under warranty...

 

Shopping carts are almost as bad. It always amazes me how lazy some people are. Rather than push the cart to the cart corral, they leave it where they parked.

 

I sometimes do this if I have no choice. 99.99 percent of the time I try to park near a corral. Its not that im lazy, its I live in Houston where it can be 100 degrees and two kids. I cant leave the kids in the hot car to put a basket up. I can turn the car on with them in it to go more than a space or two because my 4 year old rides in a booster and can get herself out. I have seen so many stories on the news about people leaving the kids in the running cars to find the kids makeing a drive through where it shouldnt be. Happend near me a few weeks ago. I do however park near a median if I cant get near a corral so I can at least secure the basket from rolling around the parking lot. When my husband is with me one of us actually takes the basket back into the store.

 

I try to always park as far away from other cars as possible. When that's not possible, I try "strategic" parking, meaning I try to park by a vehicle with a similar belt line so if the unthinkable happens, at least their door will contact the side molding and not the sheet metal. Of course this is no protection against rogue shopping carts or other "urban projectiles".

I know...:loser1:

 

I try to always park as far away from other cars as possible. When that's not possible, I try "strategic" parking, meaning I try to park by a vehicle with a similar belt line so if the unthinkable happens, at least their door will contact the side molding and not the sheet metal. Of course this is no protection against rogue shopping carts or other "urban projectiles".

I'm the same way. My wife thinks its funny but she is a sweetie and understands and humors me. As for shopping carts, when possible I park at or near the highest point in the lot if there is a slope. I'll also try to park right next to a cart corral because there is less of a chance of stray carts near it.

I know...:loser1:

If you are a :loser1: take comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

 

I've got to tell you what happened to me the first day I had my Patriot:

I stopped at a plaza in Mississauga ON - the type that's a big parking lot with several buildings holding 4 or 5 stores spread around in it. I parked in a spot that was equally farthest away from all the nearby stores with the nearest vehicle being two parking spaces from mine. Should be safe...

I got fifty feet away and I heard "SCRAAAAPE! POP! right behind me. I turned around and saw a purple minivan had tried cutting across the middle of the parking lot and sideswiped the front left corner of the car two spaces over from mine.:doh:

They drove off without leaving any insurance info but I got their license plate number and gave it to the owner of the car (*%#&$@'s!!).

 

I've got to tell you what happened to me the first day I had my Patriot:

...
I got fifty feet away and I heard "SCRAAAAPE! POP! right behind me. I turned around and saw a purple minivan had tried cutting across the middle of the parking lot and sideswiped the front left corner of the car two spaces over from mine.:doh:

They drove off without leaving any insurance info but I got their license plate number and gave it to the owner of the car (*%#&$@'s!!).

...and then a shot rang out. Want to bet it a teenager.

 

Hey ScottH,
Seems you dodged a bullet!

Don't want to mess up that pretty Patriot...

 

It looked like an older woman with no depth perception at the wheel. From the terrible way she was driving I wonder if she even had a license - another witness said she almost did the same thing to her car before she hit the car near mine.

The "pop" was the lens on the car's left turn signal shattering. The car didn't look too banged up but the passenger side of the van was caved in and covered in red paint from the car's bumper; you couldn't hide that damage from the cops.

They pulled into a parking spot and waited for me to go away and take pictures of my store before they took off; it really pisses me off when people evade responsibility for their mistakes. I'm not looking forward to going back to that store!