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Vert Blind Spots (Merged)

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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 01:28 PM
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Default Vert Blind Spots (Merged)

Just a question concerning a vert versus a coupe. I am debating which and with every other vert I have had (three mid years and one 93) the blind spot was terrible with the top up. I know they should only be driven with the top down but on a trip, I sometimes had the top up. Is the C5 convertible just as bad?
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 01:30 PM
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My vert is horrid. worst ever. very dangerous. I am certain, SOMEDAY, I will change lanes right into the side of a suv. The blind spot is HUGE.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 01:36 PM
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Default Convertible Blind Spots

Does the C5 convertible have the same large blind spots at the C4? I have had a 66, two 65s, and a 93 and the blind spot on the C4 was dangerous when driven on the freeway with the top up.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by boatboatboat
My vert is horrid. worst ever. very dangerous. I am certain, SOMEDAY, I will change lanes right into the side of a suv. The blind spot is HUGE.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 01:44 PM
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hmm....never thought of it.....shouldnt u be going fast enough to not worry about someone lingering beside u anyways? hahah j.k. didnt realize verts were that much different from coupes -are FRC's and Z06's? u vert guys do have a tiny back window compared to the rest of us ....
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:01 PM
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Blind spots: yes. Dangerous on the highway: I don't think so, but you'd better use mirrors constantly.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by boatboatboat
My vert is horrid. worst ever. very dangerous. I am certain, SOMEDAY, I will change lanes right into the side of a suv. The blind spot is HUGE.


I have almost done it
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:02 PM
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It's definitely bad. Factor in how much of the time the top is up, and it's not too bad. Be extra careful when it is up though. I don't see ever owning one that is not a vert.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:03 PM
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Yes there is a blind spot but it is like every other car, truck on the road just set the mirrors and the blind spot is not as bad.
The more you drive it the easyer it becomes to stay out of someone way and the easyer it is to change lanes.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Retz
Just a question concerning a vert versus a coupe. I am debating which and with every other vert I have had (three mid years and one 93) the blind spot was terrible with the top up. I know they should only be driven with the top down but on a trip, I sometimes had the top up. Is the C5 convertible just as bad?
Blind spot is bad as other have said. It's just something you get used to. I drove a 94 Z28 vert for 10 years and it was just as bad. Not something that would keep me from buying one (restating the obvious ), but it may be a consideration for you.

Before your buy a coupe, drive it with the top off at speed. See if you can live with the turbulence. Before you buy a vert, drive it with the top up in traffic and see if you can live with the blind spot.

Nothing like a vert w/the top down on a nice day... but you have to live with some issues to enjoy it.

Last edited by TripleBlackxTwo; Jan 20, 2006 at 02:30 PM.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
Blind spot is bad as other have said. It's just something you get used to. I drove a 94 Z28 vert for 10 years and it was just as bad. Not something that would keep me from buying one (restating the obvious ), but it may be a consideration for you.

Before your buy a coupe, drive it with the top off at speed. See if you can live with the turbulence. Before you buy a vert, drive it with the top up in traffic and see if you can live with the blind spot.

Nothing like a vert w/the top down on a nice day... but you have to live with some issues to enjoy it.

You will get ysed to the angles that you need to use to see at some intersections and with mirrors properly aimed ... very rarely an issue.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:39 PM
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It's very bad but you get used to it... the FRC is just as bad. You'll want to angle your mirrors out a bit more. I alway lean a bit forward and look over. I've almost merged into people before.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:43 PM
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There are blind spots on all VERTs....so, just keep that in mind. My last 3 cars have been verts, you just get used to it. My head is on a swivel when I am changing lanes though...that is why we have the 'go-pedal', to avoid other cars
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 02:48 PM
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There was a thread posted on how to eliminate this issue. I don't remember specifically the instructions but i adjust my mirrors while sitting in my normal position and have no issues. One overlaps the other, and i scan all constantly.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 03:00 PM
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You can definitely park a semi in the blind spot!

To help eliminate that you need to adjust your mirror slightly wider than normal. If you can see done the side of the body the mirror is in too far. Adjust it out and you'll be amazed at how it eliminates the blindspot. Most of us are too concerned about scratching our babies while backing. You can adjust the mirror in when you need to back out of a tight spot but under normal conditions run with it out.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Retz
Just a question concerning a vert versus a coupe. I am debating which and with every other vert I have had (three mid years and one 93) the blind spot was terrible with the top up. I know they should only be driven with the top down but on a trip, I sometimes had the top up. Is the C5 convertible just as bad?
Having had a Miata years ago, I checked this out when shopping for a C5. FWIW, I initially preferred the vert. I tried both the vert and the coupe. Seeing how big the vert blind spot is was a signficant factor in changing my mind and going with a coupe.

The coupe's extra storage space didn't hurt, either, and as it turned out, that's already been a big plus -- within the first two weeks of having the coupe, I ended up needing to transport some bulky stuff that would have never fit in the vert/FRC trunk.
I haven't yet driven with the roof removed to feel how bad the turbulence is, but I'm really not too worried about it -- if it's too bad, I'll pop for the hatch vent wire thingies (tech term ) that hold the hatch open to reduce the buffeting.
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 03:45 PM
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I solved my blind spot buy adding a small wide angle mirror on the bottom section of my drivers outside mirror. Takes a little getting used too but works.
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To Vert Blind Spots (Merged)

Old Jan 20, 2006 | 04:20 PM
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Yep, it is a big issue but I only have that issue when making left turn at a stop side sometime.
-Mike
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 04:34 PM
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“That which is behind you is of no consequence”.

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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by eddie44
You can definitely park a semi in the blind spot!

To help eliminate that you need to adjust your mirror slightly wider than normal. If you can see done the side of the body the mirror is in too far. Adjust it out and you'll be amazed at how it eliminates the blindspot. Most of us are too concerned about scratching our babies while backing. You can adjust the mirror in when you need to back out of a tight spot but under normal conditions run with it out.
Since my job gave me a company car the company sent me to a professional driving school which shall be unnamed (Bon......). The first thing they taught you was take the tire pressure to the maximum stamped on the tire. The second was how to adjust your mirrors which was exactly how you described. Adjust them so you just see the side of your rear quarter and then move out until the body disappears. Then we went to the slalom, etc.
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