I've read a few threads about some people (kind of a lot of people) having problems with blind spots in their 8's. The most practical solution seemed to be the 2 dollar circular blind spot mirrors. Great solution, but has anyone seen the mirrors that curve in at the far end of the mirror? Id never seen one before but I was in L.A. and rented a Saab 9-5 and it had mirrors like that- it worked real well for blind spots and increased visibility greatly. It took getting used to, but was practical and virtually invisible. I think this is only available on European cars. Anyone know anything about these? Would it be a worthwhile investment if even possible? Thanks all.

 

Man, with the passenger seat about half-way forward, there is absolutely NO view for backing up and to the right ... I've had cars with legendary blind spots but this one takes the cake!

 

I've got the little rounded mirrors mounted in my car. I've had them mounted on every car I owned. I don't like having any guess work, and I want to be sure no one is next to me when I change lanes.

When I had my RX-8 for 2 days, I changed into a lane that a speeding mustang was on. Good thing he was able to swerve out of the way.

 

well, the mirrors i'm talking about have the blind spot mirror part of the mirror, sort of, for lack of a better explanation. its just ilke if you took off the mirror and kinda bent it and put it back on...i'll try to find a picture or something.

 

You guys have never heard of mirrors? I have no problem backing up my 8 or driving through traffic! Maybe I was taught how to drive differently....................................

 

it's a split zone mirror, or something like that.
http://bambergvr6.freeservers.com/cg...ges/MIRROR.JPG

http://www.roadsleeper.com/gti/images/mirror003.jpg
i suppose my questions are is this possible to do on an 8 and is it worth it?

 

Hmm, those mirrors seem like they'd be pretty useful. The main challenge for me right now is that I've got to get used to driving such a small car. Takes a little longer to see around big parked SUVs.

 

I dont have a problem with blind spots.Then again I drove a miata for 3 years.

 

I founds that it was helpful to add those small round wide angle mirror stick on's as well. They're cheap...easily replaced if they fall off (peel and stick tape), and they make it real easy to see down toward the rear wheels when backing into a parking space (easier to line up with painted parking space lines.) I located mine (about 2" in diameter) in the uppermost/outermost corner of each mirror.

 

I wish the MS side mirrors had a "Blind spot" angled mirror. That would be the perfect excuse to use on the wife as to why an "upgrade" was needed!

:D

 

You probably just learned to set your side view mirrors properly.

My RX-8 doesn't have any blind spots either.

 

There are no blind spots on mine either - if I set the mirrors corectly. The side mirros should not be looking behind you but rather into the side lanes. The easiest way to get this roughly right is move you head against the drivers side window and then adjust the mirror so you can just see the side of the car. Then move your head to the center of the car and adjust the other mirror to just see the side of the car. When you are driving you should be able to see any cars next to you either in the mirror or the front side windows.

 

The U.K. RX-8 has the bi-angle mirrors you describe. Brilliant concept - no clue why we don't have them over here. I don't know if the U.K. mirrors could be refitted to our cars, or if the right-drive angle would be a poor match to our left-drive cars.

 

Mirror adjusting technique to avoid blind spots:

1. Sit in your normal driving position.

2. Adjust the interior rear view mirror the way you like it.

3. Adjust the Driver's side mirror so the view from it picks up where the left side of the rear view mirror stops.

4. Adjust, the passenger side mirror so the view from it picks up where the right side of the rear view mirror stops.


If adjusted correctly you should have one continuous field of vision with no overlapping from all three mirrors. If they overlap, you are wasting valuable rearview mirror real estate and risk creating a blind spot.


Lastly, when you change lanes you should never have to turn your head back--90 degrees max just to make sure nobody is right next to you. That's it. Never had a problem since I started adjusting my mirrors that way. Properly adjusted mirrors eliminate blind spots and Exorcist style head turning before a lane change

Also, since you don't have to turn and look back it's easier to constantly keep an eye on who's around your 8 in case somebody does something stupid and you have to change lanes really quickly--always try to leave yourself a way out...

Now when I drive friends cars and don't have the mirrors properly adjusted I can and have gotten in all sorts of trouble...

BTW, since the 8 mirrors are very small, they can definitely be very unforgiving with improper adjustment.

Now if anyone wants to talk about backing up, I still can’t figure out WTF the back of my 8 is

 

Because the UK cars are right hand drive the mirror lenses would have to go on upside down for the opposite side of the car, so the image would be upside down too... would take some getting used to and probably more dangerous than having blind spots.

 

yeah, the car kinda sucks when it comes to blind spots. i for one have never relied on my side mirrors, but rather on my rear-view to tell me what was oncoming and i turn and look for lane changes. this car still has me paranoid as the virtual b-pillars obstruct a lot of my view and the mirrors dont help much. never thought about the stick-ons but i think i will start looking for those

 

I'm not sure I understand why the image would be upside down...could you explain that one briefly? Also, I'd have to go downstairs and look, but are the mirrors symmetrical - to allow turning them upside down and switching sides?

 

^^
Like LL7 and RotaMotion said. When properly adjusted the stock side mirrors on the RX-8 give a full field of view with no blind spots.

I use the method LL7 described (learned here BTW) and it works perfectly. It feels a little odd at first but you quickly get used to it. No more turning your head and eyes 120-130 degrees away from the road. Looking backwards over your shoulder at 85mph is pretty stupid anyway when you think about it.

 

I agree with rotorgeek. After driving a 92' miata for 4 years before driving this car, I have complaints about blind spots. That was when the Miata actaully had a plasic rear window. It scratches up/fogs up after a while. Now that is a blind spot. Of course with the top down the view was fine :-)

 

I've driven converibles with bad blind spots but haven't had any issues with my "8". Perhpase it's because the only traffic that's moving towards me is in front of my just before I pass!

 

I back out of our driveway every morning, which will let you all know I GOTTA know how to use my mirrors. But RotaMotion made a comment to which I can totally relate: WTF is the back of my car? It scared the bejesus out of me the other night - week old Mazda, parallel parking in a busy beach town at night. I got into a tiny space, and still never figured out how I did it. Oh, yeah - VERY carefully with a very short back end. It definitely takes some getting used to!

 

Guess I should modify my reply - going forward, I have my mirrors set so that I have no blind spots - the trick is to NOT be able to see your own car in the mirror but instead all of the lane next to you - in either side mirror. That way, if you see them in the mirror, you know they are in the lane, and if not, then they are next to you and you see them in your peripheral vision.

The "legendary blind spots" in this car are when you're reversing out of a parking space and wanting to swing to the right ... impossible to see.

 

Just to add on to what Rotamotion and StewC have said...

The idea of the side mirrors is to see what's beside you and SLIGHTLY to your rear, not what is really far back and to the side (rearview mirror inside your car takes care of that) or what is in YOUR lane.

My wife always complains that she can't see the side of the car the way I set it. I tell her that I don't need to see the side of the car, I know what it looks like, I need to see what's in the lane next to me.

 

I prefer to see my car in the edge of the sideview because it gives me a reference point.

 

How much worse (smaller) would the MS side mirrors make the situation?