Visibility is pretty bad - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

bluecamaroguy · 05-29-2009, 04:40 PM

Hey guys so I test drove a black 1LT yesterday at a dealership. First thing I was looking for was the infamous blind spots that I keep reading about. When I first got in they didn't look as bad as I thought they would be. But when I started driving it definitely got really hard to see when I needed to switch lanes (busy 4-5 lane freeway with lots of cars and I did adjust the mirrors correctly). The side mirrors did work pretty well but I kept wanting to look back and make sure there wasn't a car there just to be sure (habit from driving a truck).

I am not sure if this is something you get used to or what. But I have always driven a truck where I just look behind me and I can see everything easily. In the camaro I did feel really boxed in and paranoid because the side windows are also very small and I felt visibility was not that great out the back either. When driving it instantly did remind me of a "tank gunner" view that I had read about.

Whenever I tried to change lanes I automatically looked behind me and I kept seeing the inside of the car and not the road which sucked big time for a truck guy like me

I have read lots on this forum so I know that everyone says you aren't supposed to get a nice view or a nice interior in a muscle car. That is fine for the hardcore guys but what about random people who use this car as a daily driver.

I am also pretty short at 5'6'' but the seat did adjust enough for me to have my head almost at the roof. Anyone who has driven the camaro extensively have any thoughts on this subject?

Ferrarimk13 · 05-29-2009, 04:42 PM

i think most people will say that you just need to get used to it, after driving it a while, im sure youll learn ways to do everything normally, or where to look when merging. I heard the side mirrors are decent though, and you can get those small round mirrors to stick onto the sides.

bluecamaroguy · 05-29-2009, 04:45 PM

I also forgot to mention the view from the front over the hood. The view was really weird for me (could be cause I was so low to the ground) because I could see in front of me fine but when I looked to the front of the car on the passenger side all I saw was that hump in the middle and it really made the car feel lopsided. I felt like it would be really hard to park in small parking spots and also through very tight areas like if you need parallel park you won't be sure where the curb is.

*radz28* · 05-29-2009, 04:49 PM

I have a hard time thinking it's much worse than my '95 and '02 - at least I'm hoping so. if that's the case, I'm sure I'll be able to get used to it. I think a lot of it will come down to adjusting the mirrors just right. For me, that's the first thing I do in the car. I just make sure I can over-lap the outside mirrors with the inside mirror and get of much of the lanes next to me as possible. You might just have to get used to the idea of having to lean forward to scan your blind spots. I can see how this would be irritating, but necessary. There's going to be concessions made for a beautiful body like this car has.

JMVHO.

BEIST · 05-29-2009, 04:55 PM

Wait until you try backing up!

sasquash1984 · 05-29-2009, 05:03 PM

when i got mine a week ago it was a big change. You have to mess the side mirrors a while, then estimate the distance in front and backing is so much fun

VenomZ302 · 05-29-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radz282003

I have a hard time thinking it's much worse than my '95 and '02 - at least I'm hoping so.

I think the big difference between the 4th and 5th gens, forward visibility-wise, is the size of the windshield. The 4th gen's is HUGE, but raked back a lot. The 5th gen's windshield should be rather small in comparison. Now I kind I wish I could have driven my '00 Camaro to go test drive the '10 Camaro... :(

SSOOCH · 05-29-2009, 05:13 PM

really...this is news to me!

camaro5 · 05-29-2009, 05:14 PM

It's a freakmobile alright.

It looks cool, and that's what we wanted.

For better visibility, the G8 excels.

.

Bell040 · 05-29-2009, 05:31 PM

too bad the Vert isn't out yet....

no top = no blind spots

McGruff · 05-29-2009, 05:34 PM

Convex mirrors on side mirrors == WIN

pruettfan · 05-29-2009, 05:40 PM

As a paramedic for 8 years I drove many thousands of miles in an ambulance that had nothing but blind spots for visability. What you do is use the tools you have. One that is rarely used is paying attention to your surroundings. When I drive I always know who is around me by simply scanning my mirrors and watching what others are doing. When I go to make a lane change I already know where everyone is so I don't need to look over my shoulder to check the blind spot.

I agree visiabilty in this car is a problem if you are one of those folks that don't have good situational awareness.

patriotpa · 05-29-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pruettfan

As a paramedic for 8 years I drove many thousands of miles in an ambulance that had nothing but blind spots for visability. What you do is use the tools you have. One that is rarely used is paying attention to your surroundings. When I drive I always know who is around me by simply scanning my mirrors and watching what others are doing. When I go to make a lane change I already know where everyone is so I don't need to look over my shoulder to check the blind spot.

I agree visiabilty in this car is a problem if you are one of those folks that don't have good situational awareness.

+1^10th

bluecamaroguy · 05-29-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pruettfan

As a paramedic for 8 years I drove many thousands of miles in an ambulance that had nothing but blind spots for visability. What you do is use the tools you have. One that is rarely used is paying attention to your surroundings. When I drive I always know who is around me by simply scanning my mirrors and watching what others are doing. When I go to make a lane change I already know where everyone is so I don't need to look over my shoulder to check the blind spot.

I agree visiabilty in this car is a problem if you are one of those folks that don't have good situational awareness.

I think your right. I normally am always aware of what was around me when I drive. But when you get on a 5 lane freeway it is impossible to see everything especially on the busy California ones.

I test drove the 2010 mustang right after and I have to admit the visibilty was way more open and easy to see. But I like the looks and the power of the camaro way more.

agggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

05-29-2009, 04:40 PM	#1
bluecamaroguy Drives: 2010 2LT/RS ABM! Join Date: May 2009 Location: san diego Posts: 254 View My Garage	Visibility is pretty bad Hey guys so I test drove a black 1LT yesterday at a dealership. First thing I was looking for was the infamous blind spots that I keep reading about. When I first got in they didn't look as bad as I thought they would be. But when I started driving it definitely got really hard to see when I needed to switch lanes (busy 4-5 lane freeway with lots of cars and I did adjust the mirrors correctly). The side mirrors did work pretty well but I kept wanting to look back and make sure there wasn't a car there just to be sure (habit from driving a truck). I am not sure if this is something you get used to or what. But I have always driven a truck where I just look behind me and I can see everything easily. In the camaro I did feel really boxed in and paranoid because the side windows are also very small and I felt visibility was not that great out the back either. When driving it instantly did remind me of a "tank gunner" view that I had read about. Whenever I tried to change lanes I automatically looked behind me and I kept seeing the inside of the car and not the road which sucked big time for a truck guy like me I have read lots on this forum so I know that everyone says you aren't supposed to get a nice view or a nice interior in a muscle car. That is fine for the hardcore guys but what about random people who use this car as a daily driver. I am also pretty short at 5'6'' but the seat did adjust enough for me to have my head almost at the roof. Anyone who has driven the camaro extensively have any thoughts on this subject?

05-29-2009, 04:49 PM	#4
radz28 Petro-sexual Drives: Ultra-Grin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crazy Coast Posts: 15,185 View My Garage	I have a hard time thinking it's much worse than my '95 and '02 - at least I'm hoping so. if that's the case, I'm sure I'll be able to get used to it. I think a lot of it will come down to adjusting the mirrors just right. For me, that's the first thing I do in the car. I just make sure I can over-lap the outside mirrors with the inside mirror and get of much of the lanes next to me as possible. You might just have to get used to the idea of having to lean forward to scan your blind spots. I can see how this would be irritating, but necessary. There's going to be concessions made for a beautiful body like this car has. JMVHO. __________________ '20 ZL1 Black "Fury" A10, PDR, Exposed CF Extractor Magnuson Magnum DI TVS2650R // RFBG // Soler 103 // TooHighPSI Port Injection // THPSI Billet Lid // FF // Katech Drop-In // PLM Heat Exchanger // ZLE Cradle bushings // BMR Chassis-Suspension Stuff // aFe Bars // Diode Dynamics LEDs // ACS Composites Guards // CF Dash // Aeroforce // tint // other stuffs

05-29-2009, 04:55 PM	#5
BEIST Doing What Men Do Best Drives: A BEAST Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 11	Wait until you try backing up! __________________

05-29-2009, 05:03 PM	#6
sasquash1984 502 RWHP N/A Drives: The yeti Join Date: May 2009 Location: Saginaw/ Ft Worth TX Posts: 3,085 View My Garage	when i got mine a week ago it was a big change. You have to mess the side mirrors a while, then estimate the distance in front and backing is so much fun __________________ factory motor factory trans, Gpi ss4 cam stock heads ported and milled, full exhaust, circle d 5c 4000 triple disk, 3:91 rear end with posi mod, cai, bmr derlin rear diff bushins, bmr derlin cradle bushins, bmr trailing arms, toe rods with bushings, and bmr anti extreme sway bar. Weld rt-s 17x5 fronts and 17X10 rears on mickey thompson et street r's

05-29-2009, 05:13 PM	#8
SSOOCH Camaro SL,UTs Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,358 View My Garage	really...this is news to me! __________________

05-29-2009, 04:42 PM	#2
Ferrarimk13 Drives: Hopefully a Camaro in a year Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 727 View My Garage	i think most people will say that you just need to get used to it, after driving it a while, im sure youll learn ways to do everything normally, or where to look when merging. I heard the side mirrors are decent though, and you can get those small round mirrors to stick onto the sides.

05-29-2009, 04:45 PM	#3
bluecamaroguy Drives: 2010 2LT/RS ABM! Join Date: May 2009 Location: san diego Posts: 254 View My Garage	I also forgot to mention the view from the front over the hood. The view was really weird for me (could be cause I was so low to the ground) because I could see in front of me fine but when I looked to the front of the car on the passenger side all I saw was that hump in the middle and it really made the car feel lopsided. I felt like it would be really hard to park in small parking spots and also through very tight areas like if you need parallel park you won't be sure where the curb is.

05-29-2009, 05:14 PM	#9
camaro5 Drives: X-15 Velocipede Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SW Florida Posts: 4,637	It's a freakmobile alright. It looks cool, and that's what we wanted. For better visibility, the G8 excels. . __________________ Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge General Motors ASEP, A.S. Automotive Technology, Telecommunications Specialist, CISCO Network Engineer STANDARD DISCLAIMER camaro5 is furnishing this information "as is". camaro5 does not provide any warranty of the information whatsoever, whether express, implied, or statutory, including, but not limited to, any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or any warranty that the contents of the information will be error-free.

05-29-2009, 05:31 PM	#10
Bell040 Drives: 2SS/RS - Black - GFX Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: B'ham, Alabama Posts: 2,458 View My Garage	too bad the Vert isn't out yet.... no top = no blind spots __________________ Ordered: 10-13-08 Built: 3-30-09 (#1691) Recieved: 6-12-09 Blacked out, Cammed (Lunati Voodoo 233/245, .578/.598 @114°, +4°), ARH LTs, VR OTR CAI, Cutouts, and lots of other fun mods.

05-29-2009, 05:34 PM	#11
McGruff Drives: 98 Saturn Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 211	Convex mirrors on side mirrors == WIN

05-29-2009, 05:40 PM	#12
pruettfan Drives: 2010 Camaro SS / 2011 Z28 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 333	As a paramedic for 8 years I drove many thousands of miles in an ambulance that had nothing but blind spots for visability. What you do is use the tools you have. One that is rarely used is paying attention to your surroundings. When I drive I always know who is around me by simply scanning my mirrors and watching what others are doing. When I go to make a lane change I already know where everyone is so I don't need to look over my shoulder to check the blind spot. I agree visiabilty in this car is a problem if you are one of those folks that don't have good situational awareness.

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