When I was at the dealership last week & sat in the 350ZR I was concerned about the large blind spots when the top was up. Was it just me or are blind spots a problem?

I'm going to test drive the 350ZR this week sometime & that will hopefully dispell some of my concerns.

 

Blinds spots are a problem when the top is up, but nothing that you can't get use to by checkin the mirrors a bit more and leaning forward when changing lanes. The top shouldn't be up in the first place anyway. =D

 

it is NOT you. They are the problem.

 

The coupe also has blind spots. I might suggest you do a search at www.Zchickz.com. Might even try this site. There was a mirror adjustment technique that does help. If you can't find the "thread", try this.

Roll drivers window up. Lean to you left putting your head against the window. Adjust the mirror. Lean to your right about the same as you did to the left and adjust your right mirror. You will get use to seeing cars coming at you, but it will work. I had a few close calls until I made the adjustment.

 

I really have not found it to be a real problem.

 

Neither have I! lol

 

Coming from a 3-series I found the blinds spots with the top up to be huge. After a few months you will compensate.

Don't expect to be able to make any sudden lane changes on the highway with the top up though. You need to view your side mirror for a few seconds to be sure nobody is in (or approaching) your blind spot.

 

This is also available.............

 

Found the site. This works! http://www.cartalk.com/content/featu...ors/index.html

 

Thanks to all for your responses. The mirror adjustment idea sounds like a good start.

I have always used a small fisheye mirror placed on the far outside of the driver side mirror. That has helped me a lot. The 350Z mirrors seem small so I am not sure if I will be able to do that.

 

I had my newphew stand in my blind spot and move around, from what I could see, as long as you use your side mirrors you will be fine. Have to remember that the rear end of the car is not that far behind where you sit... so the mirriors should cover you... try haveing someone stand at the back of your car and slowly move forward so you can see exactly where your mirrior is covering. you will probably see there really is no blind spot.. but it still freaks me out not being able to look over my shoulder

 

Did a test drive today with top up & top down. Adjusting the mirrors out worked very well. I still felt a bit blind with the top up, but I think I could get used to it.

Now I need to find a yellow GT here in AZ to buy.

 

The only other advice I would give is when backing up in a parking lot with the top up, take your time and look around. I think driving this car is a little like a motorcycle, in that you don't take anything for granted and you get into the proprer habbits.

 

I bought an Australian (left side which is passenger side in Australia) mirror.

It is weird at first...but I have grown to appreciate it. It provides a much larger field of view on the drivers side, as you would expect.

I still have problems at intersections where the roads meet at "other than 90 degree" angles. Where I live, some roads meet at 30 degree angles. Sometimes I have to unbuckle my seat belt, roll down the window, or ask a passenger if the coast is clear. If I had a ZR, I'd probably put the top down.

 

Why are you looking Behind you? We dont need to look back!

 

Blind spots are a problem. But, all you need to do is adjust mirrors to compensate as you would in any car. I always adjust my side mirrors to see the area not covered by the rear view mirror. There is a very slight overlap of coverage from my rear view to my side view. But, basically what I see in my rear view mirror will not be visible in my side view mirrors and vice versa. I track my Z and always need to know who is around me, though it is more important to know where everyone is when you are on the highways.

 

This is the only rear view I see....

 

I couldn't agree more with this comment. I often find myself parked between two mammoth SUVs. Cars passing by don't even see you backing out until the back of the Z emerges out of the slot.

Be careful out there!

 

I think the Australian mirror jcn30127 was talking about is the (convex?) Nissan mirror that gives you a much wider view, like the small "fisheye" stick-on mirrors. They're around $85.00, if I remember correctly. I don't care how you adjust your mirrors, the visability in the roadster isn't good.