Just wonder what the verts are like with the tops up as far as rear window visibility goes. The thought of trading up to a MSG coupe or vert has been crossing my mind. I really love the C5 in the colour. I never really thought of myself as a vert type of guy since I never really loved the C5 verts with the top up, but recently I've thought if I found the perfect one with all the options I might not turn it down. They do look amazing with the top down (I'm not talking about women here, but that does usually apply there too). I'm concerned about the smaller window area, not to mention the more limited storage space.

Any previous coupe owners now driving the rag top out there? Was it tough to adjust?

 

Visibility is tough with the top up. You get used to using the mirrors really well and not making sudden lane changes, etc. In my opinion, it's worth it for the time when the top is down. Mine is not a daily driver so I usually drive it with the top down.

 

I read on the forum that if you adjust the mirrors out to where you don't see the 1/4's any more, it'll help with the blind spots. After positioning the mirrors as mentioned, it did help a bunch, just kind of hard to get used to. Never owned a c5 coupe, but have had an '84, and an '86, they didn't have any blind spots compared to a c5 vert. But like said above, just don't change lanes too quickly and you'll be fine.

 

As the guys have said, it's not great with the top up but you get used to it. Its fine it you pay attention to whats going on around you.

If you fit an after market head unit such as the AVIC N2 or D1 you can fit a rear view camera. A bit OTT but its a solution.

All that said, why drive with the top up unless its raining. Heated seats and the heater going - priceless.

 

I never had a coupe - and I'm sure the rearward vision is better. I've owned my convertible 2 1/2 years and I've driven with the top up a few times. Backing up is like looking through the openings in a WWII pillbox (you've seen the movies!) But as the others have stated - you learn to use the mirrors like an over the road trucker.

The advantages far outweigh this small disadvantage in my opinion....

 

The visibility through the rear window is not much different that thru the rear window of my SRX given the distance to the rear window and the three rear headrests,

 

This is a method I learned a while back and while it takes a little time to get used to is much more effective way of using your side mirrors. The way most people use their mirrors just duplicate what you see in the rear view mirror. If adjusted like you mention when a vehicle leaves your rearview mirror it should then be in the side mirror, no duplication and much more time the vehicle is in your mirrors. There was actually a write up on this method. While I use this method my wife can not adjust to it. Other people I have shown this to really like it. Give it a try!

 

Visability is restricted with the top up, but I put a "fish-eye" on my driver's side mirror and it really helps.

 

I don't find the vert bad at all although the sideview mirrors are pretty small.

You should try driving an Avalanche if you want to see bad rear visibility! The sideview mirrors are pretty large so that helps a lot.

 

Visibilty is not a big problem, beside, theres
nothing worth seeing that I've already past!

Find a neighbor or dealer with a vert and check
it out for yourself, If you;re in the neighborhood,
stop on by!

 

I got one of these installed... Wide Angle...

 

A very good suggestion...

 

I find no problem with the rear view with my vert, but you have to be careful with the readward side vision with the top up. Any sort of an angled turning view like if you are trying to look back over your right shoulder is impossible.

 

 

Yep, visability with the top up leaves a bit to be desired. I desire to get rid of the blind spot that seems to be the the size whole back and sides of the car. Mirror checks are a lot more frequent now with double checks before changing lanes. but with the top down, you can see everything!

Anyways, if you go fast enough, "What's behind you, is not important!" -Raul Julia, "The Gumball Rally"

 

I think if you adjust the side mirrors to work with the rear view mirror you can see well. I have not found it to be a problem. I was used to limited visibility from my Trans-Am with roll bar and double wing on the rear. Well worth any lack of vision to be able to take top down. My .02

 

I move my head as I look in the side mirrors to turn them into wide-angle. The problem I have is in backing up in a parking lot. I had a scary experience early on backing out at a fast food place. I was backing out slowly when a guy on the other side (diagonal) backed out and didn't see my low deck behind him. I could not pull forward so honked the horn and watched as he backed into me. Grandson was aboard so I could not say what I thought. Fortunately for all, it was hot and the plastics on his bumper & my right rear quarter gave enough so no harm was done, not even a scratch.

I prefer top down on my weekend driver. In the above case we were on the Interstate and the young fella just "had to go." It's really a matter of what kind of driving you do and what your weather is like.

DBD

 

What is this thing you speak of, a rear window? have not found that yet...

Only way to go "TOPLESS"

tt

 

I have an '03 Vert with over 50,000 miles and have the mirrors adjusted so there is no blind spot, but it does take some getting used to. Here is how they are adjusted.

In a driving position with your hands on the wheel looking straight ahead, move your eyes to look out the rear view mirror. The mirror should be centered, if need be tilt the mirror down so you can see the C5 Emblem on the trunk. The emblem should be in the center of the mirror. tilt it back up to driving position.

Adjusting the side mirrors requires driving on a multi lane highway with light traffic. Let's take the drivers side first, before you start driving on the highway do a "best guess" adjustment as follows, it's best to do this just before getting onto the freeway (while stopped). From a driving position move your body to the left until your head is against the window. Then adjust the drivers side mirror out until you can just barely see the left rear quarter panel in the right side of the mirror. Now get on the freeway in the slow lane and wait for someone to overtake you on your left. Looking straight ahead, glance in the rearview, when only the back 1/2 of the car can be seen in the rearview, the front 1/2 of the car should be seen in the outside mirror. Adjust the mirror so this happens. When you can only see the back 1/2 of the overtaking car in the outside mirror the front fender should be roughly even with the front of your door. Now move over a lane and wait for someone to overtake you on the right. The adjustment of the passenger mirror is the same, when 1/2 of the overtaking car is in the rearview mirror, the other 1/2 needs to be in the outside mirror.

With mirrors adjusted like this, when changing lanes you can no longer just look in the outside mirror and glance over your shoulder. You must look in the rearview, outside, then look over your shoulder.

I had my mirrors adjusted like this three years ago for racing on the road course and have loved this adjustment every since. While racing I can see everything that is around me with 100% confidence.

The only downside I have noticed with the mirrors adjusted this way is when in rush hour traffic and the lane slows, or stops, and there is a big SUV/Pickup behind me I can't see if the lane beside me is clear so I could move over. But this is not my daily driver and the pros far outweigh the cons.

One other thing, I have memory seats and have set memory #3 to the same as my driving position except I bring the mirrors in and down to help me back into a parking spot.