370Z Blind Spots

sbkim · 02-07-2009, 12:06 AM

Looks promising. Please let us know how it works on the Z.

SoCal 370Z · 02-07-2009, 12:43 AM

Multivex

Here is a link to the Lotus forum where they review MultiVex for the Elise. Please note that Elise mirrors are manually adjusted so the mirror housing comprises the mirror assembly, and is not a shroud as it is with the 370Z: Multivex Mirror review

I like the LaneFX (especially their ParkFX feature as I have that on another automobile we own) but unless someone comes up with a plug-n-play adapter kit so that the 370Z can be returned completely to factory—without any wire splicing—then it's a no go for me.

Voivod · 02-07-2009, 04:18 AM

The blind spot is honestly not that bad. You do have to lean into it a little bit on the driver's side, but it's far from impossible. I'm driving a friend's Miata convertable right now and the Z has amazing visibility by comparison.

Paradox · 02-07-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voivod

The blind spot is honestly not that bad. You do have to lean into it a little bit on the driver's side, but it's far from impossible. I'm driving a friend's Miata convertable right now and the Z has amazing visibility by comparison.

That statement at the end is a little far fetched, I couldn't see $h3T for the life of me. I tried adjusting my seat, moving my entire body, angling my neck, hunching myself to gain a lower angle of view. If there was a rider there, that would be the last thing he would've saw, the driver side rear quarter panel that ended his life.

Crash · 02-07-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Multivex

Here is a link to the Lotus forum where they review MultiVex for the Elise. Please note that Elise mirrors are manually adjusted so the mirror housing comprises the mirror assembly, and is not a shroud as it is with the 370Z: Multivex Mirror review

I like the LaneFX (especially their ParkFX feature as I have that on another automobile we own) but unless someone comes up with a plug-n-play adapter kit so that the 370Z can be returned completely to factory—without any wire splicing—then it's a no go for me.

Well, I don't know about this:

Quote:

CAUTION!! Turning your head to check your blind spot will cause you to lose sight of what is happening directly in front of your vehicle!! This is always a dangerous maneuver!

That in itself sounds stupid to me. It doesn't take much to look forward, glance to the right, and look forward again. If you're looking to the side after seeing cars not so far ahead of you (2-3 seconds ahead) then you're an idiot and shouldn't be driving.

A set of fish-eyes are the best way to go, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't glance over your shoulder for good measure.

zsport1 · 02-09-2009, 01:58 PM

I have owned 5 Z's and all of them have terrible blind spots. My Z32TT is just as bad as the 350Z and 370Z. Quarter windows are virtually useless. It's a sports car guys.
If you adjust your door mirrors properly you will not have any blind spots and will be able to see just fine.

KManZ · 02-09-2009, 06:24 PM

Just drive super careful, there's no rush. Gent's, take the stress out of your life on the highway, and just choose a lane and go. You drastically cut down on your chances of hitting someone in your blind spot if you aren't changing lanes all the time. Our traffic here in N. VA is pretty damn bad, and no matter how you drive and how much lane changing you do, you get to your destination in about the same time. So put on some tunes, lean back in your seat, and relax

Don't risk your sweet new Z trying to weave in and out like some ricer.

Of course, when it's time to exit, signal early and often, and take it slow.

-Road Rage extraordinaire

SiXK · 02-09-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zsport1

I have owned 5 Z's and all of them have terrible blind spots. My Z32TT is just as bad as the 350Z and 370Z. Quarter windows are virtually useless. It's a sports car guys.
If you adjust your door mirrors properly you will not have any blind spots and will be able to see just fine.

I will agree with you on this. I have also owned 5 Z's, and, like you said, my Z32TT is just as bad as the 350 I had and the 370 I have now, they've all been bad. when setting the mirrors, if done right you can have no blind spots.

k.alexander · 02-13-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.alexander

I've had one of these on all of my cars for about 12 years now.
Lanechanger: LaneChanger I

(the pic is terrible, they don't look that crooked).

I swear by this product, like $7 at PepBoys/AutoZone (a long time ago). Basically this gives you full rear 180 degree view. I dont use any of my other mirrors any more. One glance in this mirror and you can see everything that is going on behind you up and to your peripheral field of vision.

PS: This image shows off what I mean quite well:
http://www.lanechanger.com/images/mirror_028_web.jpg

I havent gotten my hands on the 370Z yet (three more days) and I plan on putting one of these on, immediately. Hope it works, considering how big the C-pillar is in the car, and how small the quarter windows are, not to mention how little visibility there is out of the rear window.

After driving for a few days now, with the lanechanger mirror, I posted a link to above, I have the following observations:

The mirror does work on the Z. The C-pillar is huge on this car, and since we simply can't see through metal, the mirror cant either. Having said that, you can JUST ABOUT rely only on this mirror and nothing else. I've tested it now, when standing in traffic, and you can see some part (either front or back) of the car in your blind spot.

That should just about be enough. However, in addition, I did what many here recommended, and adjusted my outside mirrors so that I can just about barely see the side of my car, with the rest of the mirror showing me what is to the side of the car. As a result, with the outside mirrors, I can see the other part of the car (the one I cant see with the lanechanger).

Bottom line, between the lanechanger mirror and the outside mirrors adjusted, as described above, I feel like I'm fine (o need to turn the head, as in fact I see less when I do that), and essentially my entire blind spot is covered.

sbkim · 02-13-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k.alexander

After driving for a few days now, with the lanechanger mirror, I posted a link to above, I have the following observations:

The mirror does work on the Z. The C-pillar is huge on this car, and since we simply can't see through metal, the mirror cant either. Having said that, you can JUST ABOUT rely only on this mirror and nothing else. I've tested it now, when standing in traffic, and you can see some part (either front or back) of the car in your blind spot.

That should just about be enough. However, in addition, I did what many here recommended, and adjusted my outside mirrors so that I can just about barely see the side of my car, with the rest of the mirror showing me what is to the side of the car. As a result, with the outside mirrors, I can see the other part of the car (the one I cant see with the lanechanger).

Bottom line, between the lanechanger mirror and the outside mirror adjustment, as described above, I feel like I'm fine. No need to turn the head, as in fact I see less when I do that.

Thanks for the update. After test driving the Z again, I see your point with Lanechanger - without more windows in the car, it won't do much good...

I guess for even more added safey, I guess you can install convex mirror on the side. Do you need one on the driver side as well?

frost · 02-13-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

Well, I don't know about this:

That in itself sounds stupid to me. It doesn't take much to look forward, glance to the right, and look forward again. If you're looking to the side after seeing cars not so far ahead of you (2-3 seconds ahead) then you're an idiot and shouldn't be driving.

A set of fish-eyes are the best way to go, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't glance over your shoulder for good measure.

I always do a quick glance over the shoulder. It's the first thing they teach you in every motorcycle safety course I've ever been to.

k.alexander · 02-13-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbkim

Thanks for the update. After test driving the Z again, I see your point with Lanechanger - without more windows in the car, it won't do much good...

I guess for even more added safey, I guess you can install convex mirror on the side. Do you need one on the driver side as well?

I might still install those little mirrors. For a buck or so a piece it's a no brainer, but since they'll be on the outside edge of the external mirror's they'll also take away from the external mirrors themselves. Dont know, will have to test this out.

k.alexander · 02-13-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

I always do a quick glance over the shoulder. It's the first thing they teach you in every motorcycle safety course I've ever been to.

Frost, I agree. I ride a bike, and have taken the motorcycle safety course. But honestly, if you ever use the lanechanger, (and again, no association with that company whatsoever) and you get used to using one (and I've been using one for probably 12-13 years) you'll see that you really need not look over your shoulder. The lanechanger really shows you everything that is behind AND AROUND you and your mind, or at least mine, is able to put it all in relation to each other and together.

RwIron · 02-18-2009, 02:54 AM

Get the dome mirrors and nothing to complain about. Many other sports car of this type such as the audi tt roadster (which my friend owns) has a worse blind spot than this. In most of the two seater coupes has these kind of problems.

Greg · 02-18-2009, 04:56 AM

Mirror procedure and discipline are your friends

02-07-2009, 12:43 AM	#62 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Multivex Multivex Here is a link to the Lotus forum where they review MultiVex for the Elise. Please note that Elise mirrors are manually adjusted so the mirror housing comprises the mirror assembly, and is not a shroud as it is with the 370Z: Multivex Mirror review I like the LaneFX (especially their ParkFX feature as I have that on another automobile we own) but unless someone comes up with a plug-n-play adapter kit so that the 370Z can be returned completely to factory—without any wire splicing—then it's a no go for me.

02-09-2009, 06:24 PM	#67 (permalink)
KManZ Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 33 Drives: 07 350Z 6MT DB Rep Power: 16	Just drive super careful, there's no rush. Gent's, take the stress out of your life on the highway, and just choose a lane and go. You drastically cut down on your chances of hitting someone in your blind spot if you aren't changing lanes all the time. Our traffic here in N. VA is pretty damn bad, and no matter how you drive and how much lane changing you do, you get to your destination in about the same time. So put on some tunes, lean back in your seat, and relax Don't risk your sweet new Z trying to weave in and out like some ricer. Of course, when it's time to exit, signal early and often, and take it slow. -Road Rage extraordinaire __________________ 2007 350Z Enthusiast 6MT, Daytona Blue

02-18-2009, 04:56 AM	#75 (permalink)
Greg Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Age: 56 Posts: 551 Drives: 06 350 ZR CS Rep Power: 299	Mirror procedure and discipline are your friends __________________ Chef Greg At Your Service

02-07-2009, 12:06 AM	#61 (permalink)
sbkim Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: nj Posts: 177 Drives: RRSC Rep Power: 16	Looks promising. Please let us know how it works on the Z.

02-07-2009, 04:18 AM	#63 (permalink)
Voivod Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 14 Drives: 370Z 6MT Sport Rep Power: 16	The blind spot is honestly not that bad. You do have to lean into it a little bit on the driver's side, but it's far from impossible. I'm driving a friend's Miata convertable right now and the Z has amazing visibility by comparison.

02-09-2009, 01:58 PM	#66 (permalink)
zsport1 Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: TEXAS Posts: 224 Drives: 300 Rep Power: 17	I have owned 5 Z's and all of them have terrible blind spots. My Z32TT is just as bad as the 350Z and 370Z. Quarter windows are virtually useless. It's a sports car guys. If you adjust your door mirrors properly you will not have any blind spots and will be able to see just fine.

02-18-2009, 02:54 AM	#74 (permalink)
RwIron Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: United States Posts: 23 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 16	Get the dome mirrors and nothing to complain about. Many other sports car of this type such as the audi tt roadster (which my friend owns) has a worse blind spot than this. In most of the two seater coupes has these kind of problems.