"As for the "self defense" thing - the guy had better have a weapon on him for you to claim "self defense". Getting your ass kicked probably won't cut it. Not too sure I'd buy the "I felt as if my life was threatened" just from getting your ass beat in parking lot."

I disagree. Once the "just getting your ass beat in a parking lot" begins there is no way to tell where it will stop. When you are on the ground getting your head kicked in you would probably wish you had been more proactive. Anyone dragging a person out of their car is more than asking for the Mozambique IMHO. Hard to imagine that wouldn't be justifiable self defense.