Vibe blind spot -- a problem?

[Michael Matola]

I've test driven a Vibe twice now and it's the frontrunner to replace my Chevrolet Cavalier.My first impression was so-so, but on the second drive I really started to warm up to the Vibe. (It was the looks and clever and flexible cargo storage that initially got me interested in the Vibe. Plus I'm eligible for a GM discount.)The one thing I found troubling is what I perceive to be a big blind spot for the Vibe. I'm used to turning my head over my left shoulder to double-check for vehicles approaching. I'm just not comfortable relying on mirrors for that. In the Vibe it seems that the back shell of the vehicle is blocking *exactly* where I want to look. (The third window in back doesn't seem to help out with this. And yes, I realize the dealer sticker blocking the left window won't be there always. )It was better the second drive when I actually got the Vibe out on an expressway (and also had my seat better adjusted vertically -- didn't realize there was vertical adjustment until a Vibe-owning coworker told me about it).I'm 5'10'' which is just about average height.So I'm wondering whether the blind spot is a problem or issue for Vibe drivers. Something to learn to deal with if I get a Vibe? Reasonn to rule it out altogether? (Yeah, I realize the Matrix has a larger third window, but I haven't test driven a Matrix, and it's really not an option.)Thanks for any input on this.

[wrench79]

When i first got my vibe the blind spot was a pain in the ***. But since i've put almost 30k miles on it i don't even notice the blind spot anymore. It's just one of those things that you have to get used to.

[mu_ohio]

After driving my Ext Cab S-10, I was a little spoiled, but you get used to the Vibes blindspot though I'm not 100% comfortable changing lanes unless I get a good look back. I will have to say though, my brother Sunfire didnt' have the best view out the rear either which is very similar to the Cavalier.

[NovaResource]

Is your Cavalier a 2-door or 4-door? I think the problem you are having the the difference between a 2-door Cavalier and a 4-door Vibe. In a 2-door car, the B-pillar is farther back becasue the door is longer. In the Vibe, when you look over your left sholder, the B-pillar post between the front and rear doors is directly in your line of sight. I've noticed the same problem but have gotten used to it after driving it for a while. I've just learned to turn slightly differently to see behind me.

[Sputnik]

The first time I drove my Vibe after replacing my 4-door cavalier, I was terrified because I couldn't see when I changed lanes. I hate it, but I think the mirrors do an excellent job in addition to the shoulder check now. Visibility is a big issue for my boyfriend and he seems to be getting used to it as well. We find the visibility out the front is way better than our Cavalier ever was as well. That said... I did side swipe some bushes late at night in the Vibe. Whoops

[Michael Matola]

Thanks for the replies, all.NovaResource -- It's a 4-door Cavalier.Guess I'll go test drive the Vibe a few more times!

[ironchef]

Take some time to get used to the mirrors, they work perfectly once you train yourself to use them. I moved into the vibe from a Dodge Caravan, and I admit I was spoiled by all the glass area I had. I had to think like I was driving a truck again to get around the rear visibility problem on the vibe - back to using mirrors.Larry

[biggdogg173]

Hey there I actually made the jump from the Cav to a Vibe back in July. Trust me make the jump the blind spot that your refer to is easy to get use to. The car is a big step up from the Cav I'm 6'4 and I can still fit someone in the back seat behind me, I could never do that in the Cav.

[NovaResource]

Yeah, I'm 6'2" and the room in the back seat amazed me as well. I fit OK in the front of my '93 Sunbird but the 1995-up Cavaliers and Sunfires were too small up front in my opinion. Don't even think about getting me in the back seat of them. The Vibe on the other hand was awesome!

[Frosty]

Sorry I didn't get into this discussion earlier.Having driven various vans and trucks with even worse visibility than the Vibe I found it easy to adapt to mine. Here is how I adjust mirrors on any car.Most people set up all three rear view mirrors so they effectively pick up the same image, the one directly behind them. There is no benefit to having your outside mirrors view the sides of your car. If your shoulder line is at 0 degrees, when you turn your head you can easily see behind you to about 20 degrees.If you turn your outside mirrors away from the car such that you are viewing the image that your center rear view mirror cannot see up to that 20 degrees that your shoulder check can see you can cover your over the shoulder blind spots. If you move forward while looking at your outside rear view mirrors the image will pan across your blind spots.To check your mirror's adjustment have a look around when you are stuck in traffic. Look at your center mirror and see what cars are visible. Then adjust your side mirrors to pick up the next car you can't see in the lanes beside you. When you are done watch cars move in and out of your mirrors to get used to your coverage and know what areas you will have to check over your shoulders.This takes a while to get used to but the view is worth it! Hope the above makes sense Good luck!

[Michael Matola]

Got over the blind spot issue and ended up buying a Vibe ( http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=1387 ).Test drove the Vibe again (ok, two more times) and followed some of Frosty's advice about the mirrors. Spent a lot of time playing with them and found that I could adjust everything to the point where I was comfortable with this car.Thanks for the input, everyone.

[Stang2Vibe]

I drive dump trucks and trucks with big utility bodies for work all the time. You can't see out the back of them so using side mirrors is mandatory. I also have to move around big Mack trucks with trailers in our yard. This often involves using all six mirrors on the truck in a somewhat coordinated effort in order to not smash the life out of everything in the yard. Those of you who have driven tractor-trailers or truck-trailer combos know very well what it is like to be driving and backing up 50-60 feet (or more) of vehicle. Instead of driving one Vibe, imagine driving 8-9 of them all stuck together bumper to bumper. For those who haven't had experience driving big trucks(probably most people), I beg you to have a little more respect for and patience with the trucks on the road. They are delivering the products that you want to buy that can't be shipped any other way.That being said, I have to relate this to the mirrors on my Vibe. I have had more trouble getting used to these mirrors than on any vehicle I have ever driven. I am constantly moving my head around to look in the mirrors. I rarely, if ever, do the over the shoulder peeking that most people do. I have found that this is safer for lane changing because while you are looking the other way, the car in front of you may suddenly stop or someone sneakes into your lane in front of you and you never see them until you turn back around to look. At highway speeds, you have probably traveled 100 feet or more by the time you know what is going on in front of you again. You might as well put your head under the dashboard for a few seconds because it is doing the same thing. Looking in the mirrors allows me to use my peripheral vision to continuously monitor traffic in front of me while I check my mirrors plus I can look in the mirror longer to double check that changing lanes is safe vs. the quick head turning-driving blind-making me dizzy. I also notice that many people swerve around in their lane or into other lanes while doing an over the shoulder check. I have also recieved many complements on nice backing up manuvers in tight spots with my own vehicle. If you use your mirrors and adjust them properly, you can back up within an inch of other cars and objects as long as you can keep a view on them in your mirror as opposed to craning your neck all the way around, pushing your head up to the roof, and trying to guess if you will hit that car, shopping cart, pole, etc. that you can't see as you turn and back up. If you have power mirrors and tilt the passenger side all the way down (some cars have a feature that does this automatically), the dreaded parallel parking situation is very easy as you can see the curb as you approach it and you know how far away from the curb you are without having to ask the passenger to open the door and peek out for you.Enough ranting and banter about mirrors. What it boils down to is that I want to exclusively use my mirrors for lane changes and backing up. For some unknown reason, cars completely disappear sometimes in the passenger side mirror when I want to change lanes in my Vibe. This is very bad. Unless the space-time continuum is frequently being warped around me (I might drive fast, but not THAT fast) I'd say that I've got an odd blind spot with this car. I'm gradually getting used to it, but I'm still not happy with it.