Blind spots, mirrors size. - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Learn2relax · 03-20-2008, 08:33 AM

Im getting mine in about 3 weeks.. a nice white with silver cell.

I just got a couple of questions to current owners.

Do you have any issue with visibility at all ? Any noticable blind spots ? any problem at all ? are the side mirror large enough ? and please i really need honest answers here. no biased answers...

In all the years and cars that you been thru is this the best driving visibilty youve seen ? not just in the front... i mean all around you...

I test drove the Hyundai Accent the other day, although its not as cute as the Smart, it sure has pretty good visibily there. Is the visibility on the Smart better than the Hyundai accent ?

The visibilty on the Honda civic 2008 sux btw. Cant see a dam thing cuz of the A pillar.

mikie · 03-20-2008, 08:37 AM

Visability is good. A little awkward looking back. Note your screen name, take a test drive when your car is here, and then either purchase or get your $ back.

Good Luck!

rrrucke · 03-20-2008, 08:53 AM

I drive a cabrio and there are a couple of blind spots.

1. Left side mirror needs an additional little dollar size mirror so you can see what is directly over your left shoulder because the rag top obstructs your view (up or down).

2. Right side mirror needs an additional little dollar size mirror when the rag top is down. When it's up, you can clearly see over your right shoulder out the passenger side window, the little side window and the rear glass window.

3. The rearview mirror is somewhat useless when the rag top is down because you only have about 2" of view over the rag top when looking in the review view mirror. I imagine if you're tall, you have a better rear view when the rag top is down. At 5'3", I find myself popping up a little to see over the rag top while trying to change lanes to the right. Other than sitting on a telephone book, I'm not sure what would help this obstructed view but those side dollar mirrors will definitely help once I mount them.

Unfortunately, it's been too cold and rainy. However today it's in the low 50's with partial rains. If I remember and the weather is clear, maybe I'll mount them tonight.

Hope this first hand knowledge helps you! BTW, I wouldn't trade my cabrio for any car. I LOVE IT!!! Regina

stevenvillatoro · 03-20-2008, 08:55 AM

I'd say the visibility at the right-rear quarter panel is acceptable, but not superb. Because of the small cockpit size, once you drive it awhile and get used to where the blind spot is, you'll easily learn to compensate for the blind spot location by adjusting your body position slightly during lane change, etc. All cars have blind spots, of course... for me the smart's small blind spot has become a complete non-issue. If you want to drive a car with a horrible blind spot, try a Honda Insight. It led me to pray.

Karl Roth · 03-20-2008, 08:59 AM

All cars have blind spots with the mirrors. visability is not bad but not as good as a roadster with the top down.

karl

dbwill · 03-20-2008, 09:53 AM

If you can see your car in your outside rear view mirrors, they are not porperly set according to many. set your inside mirror the way you want it then set the outside mirrors so there is just a small overlap with what is seen in the edge of the inside mirror.

Karl Roth · 03-20-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbwill

If you can see your car in your outside rear view mirrors, they are not porperly set according to many. set your inside mirror the way you want it then set the outside mirrors so there is just a small overlap with what is seen in the edge of the inside mirror.

have you done this with your smart?
karl

dbwill · 03-20-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

have you done this with your smart?
karl

Don't have the smart yet but it has worked on every car and truck I have either driven or owned. Will give you exact information on the Passion in about 2 weeks

msjohnson1974 · 03-20-2008, 11:06 AM

Blind spot? I haven't noticed one... basically if I can't see it out of the corner of my eye, its not there anyway. I have my mirrors set as dbwill says... on all my cars.

Karl Roth · 03-20-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbwill

Don't have the smart yet but it has worked on every car and truck I have either driven or owned. Will give you exact information on the Passion in about 2 weeks

have a person walk out in the rear quarter in the area where a car would be passing you in the next lane while you sit in the seat don't be shocked when they disappear on you. this happens with every vehicle I have ever owned. Been a few now.
Hope you like yours as much as I am.
karl