San Francisco EVO Owners (or car owners in general)
 

I moved up to San Francisco from southern California 3.5 years ago to attend grad school. I sold my car before I moved, figuring I wouldn't need a car in the city. I still don't, but I've reached a point where I really want a car again. Now that I live in northern California, I am in the market for an EVO IX. I've always had rwd cars because I always lived by the beach. Now that I am in a position to be making trips to Tahoe and Yosemite in the winter, awd makes more sense.

My question is, how do you all deal with city parking. My main concerns are vandalism. Unfortunately, I live in a neighborhood with very limited garage parking (Hayes Valley), so I don't know how long it will be before I can get a car in a garage.

Have any of you had bad/good experiences? For some reason, when I was growing up, interior theft was a big deal. People were bolting there seats to the floor with seat locks. I figure most of the break ins for vehicles in San Francisco are snatch and grabs, and that most crack heads are looking for iPods, not Recaros.

Any thoughts or advice would be great. I'm looking to pick something up in the next 30 to 60 days.

Thanks.

Well I guess that answers my question. People just don't live in the city.

I live in SF, but I own a home and have a garage where I park my evo. I keep my daily on the street.

Hayes (and most parts of the city) would be pretty rough on an evo or any car for that matter, so if you can afford it I would recommend renting a garage or finding some off street parking.

Your guess about crime is spot on, evos are stolen in Chicago, not SF. Most cars stolen here are for joy rides or the occasional Honda that gets stripped.

I kept my car garaged in the suburbs for 3 years when I worked in the city and took the train to it for weekends. Now that I work in the 'burbs, living downtown, I garage it a 10-minute walk away. So far, no issues, just park near the top floor where daily use parkers don't ding your doors. The garage price, plus rent is cheaper than moving near work. For me, anyway.