How long did it take you to get used to the width of the car?

[rizla]

I'm coming from an 95 BMW 318 coupe and its been difficult for me to get used to the width and the length of the car. I feel like i get really close to the curb, but when I actually get out I realize i'm still quite a bit away from it. Also, when i'm backing up, i feel like i get close to the car behind me, but once again when i actually get out and see, i still have a ton of room.

Has anyone had similar experiences? I live in the city so parallel parking is a must, i'm a was a good parallel parker with my old car, but i feel like I have no judgement on my distance anymore.

Another thing i've noticed with the coupe is that I have a major blindspot. I'm someone who uses all my mirrors and also looks over my shoulder when doing lane shifts, but whenever I have to look over my should to make sure no ones right up on me, i'm always staring at the side pillar.

I wish I had sprung for the tech package with the backup distance thing..

Last thing i want to do is start bumping things. I think i'll have to take a day and get some cones and practice in an open lot.

[milkacaduke]

u should be glad that it's a A/C not a Z

[LongBeachCoupe]

blind spot disapears if you get one of those 1 .75 inch mirrors to put on the sideview!

[altimacoupelvr]

guess ive just gotten used to the blind spot and width/length. i don't hardly notice it anymore! but i do have the spoiler which helps with knowing the distance in the mirror backing up.

[rjdmmfl1]

honestly, not trying to be rude, but maybe you learned how to park incorrectly...

regarding parallel parking, there is actually a science to it, and it uses the pillars in your vehicle.. this is standard for vehicles, and if you learned the science of parallel parking, it can be applied to any vehicle, most folks just wing it, but this is actually not the correct way to parallel park..

regarding the blind spot, yes, it takes some getting use to.. the bubble eye side mirrors probably help out, but they look cheap IMO so I wouldn't use em unless absolutely necessary

regarding curbs, well you're coming from a car that was seemingly 5 feet long and 3 ft wide to a full size coupe, so that's just gonna take some getting use to... turning corners and estimating corners does seem to be a bit more difficult if you lower your seat all the way down, there's almost like a blind spot to the front left of the vehicle.. ever try to make a u turn with a curb in the center of the road... that is def a problem arear that has been addressed on here in the past for the A/C

[SHIFT_COUPE]

As with any new car there will be a little time for you to gain that comfort zone. Give it some time to get used to. It's still new to you!

[Scandinavian Flick]

i agree that there is a rather large blindspot on the a/c but its nothing that seems worse then most coupes, as for the size issues before the a/c i drove a long bed silverado, so the a/c to me is quite small, but thats me, as for a solution to your problem, well if i were you i might just find an open parking lot and get some cones and get used to parallel parking, i know that might not seem appealing to most, but hey its better then bumping cars

[rjdmmfl1]

i agree that there is a rather large blindspot on the a/c but its nothing that seems worse then most coupes, as for the size issues before the a/c i drove a long bed silverado, so the a/c to me is quite small, but thats me, as for a solution to your problem, well if i were you i might just find an open parking lot and get some cones and get used to parallel parking, i know that might not seem appealing to most, but hey its better then bumping cars

not appealing??? that's an excellent idea IMO!

[NISSANtonio-3.5SBCoupe]

ive heard about the blindspot thing before but i really dont see what everyone is talking bout. i think the range of view is pretty awesome actually, and ive never had a close call (knock on wood) maybe im just more aware of the cars around me or smtng cause i dont just look when i have to turn, but im always noticing where cars are in relation to mine.

[rizla]

Well have you ever been driving "normally" kind of zoned out and then you decide to pass someone because they're slow. Look in your mirrors and dont see anyone but turn your head and boom theres a person that was hiding out right there.

As for the parallel parking bit, i've never learned the science aspect of it. I didnt even have to do it for my driving test way back in the day. I learned via trial and error parking on boston streets. The width will take some getting used to.

So what is this technique you speak of? Please dispense this knowledge upon an eager grasshopper.

[marlin29311]

You can eliminate blind spots by gauging your mirrors a different way...set them up so that once a car leaves your rear view mirror (center), it enters into one of your side view mirrors, and once it leaves your side view mirror, you see it next to you. I know I make this sound really easy, but it is worth it - its something I learned at a defensive driving school my parents had me take when I was younger. It takes some getting used to, but it really works out well.

As for parallel parking, I've never heard of a science or anything...I just learned to gauge my car (I had a focus and got really good at parking in Philly with it). I guess that doesn't matter now that i have the camera...

PS - you can buy wireless backup cameras at auto stores and even Costco for like 70 bucks

[Burtonboarder950]

comin from a 2000 camry...its small enough for me haha

[iiiskylll]

It just takes time to get used to the size of the car. The only blind spot I have is the front left (i have the cheap-o fisheye side mirrors)..you figure there wouldn't be any in the front, but I can't see people when they're crossing the street. Lol...for some reason I see the cars, but not the peds walking. There is a science to parallel parking, my uncle was going to teach me, but I would rarley use it. However it would be handy to know.

[Colton92]

Burton did you get the Z?

[lindas08]

My Civic was much easier. It's been a year and I swear I can't park it!

[holynick55]

Hi,a nice neat trick for blind spots!!try it! it worksits all about how you position the side mirrors:

1) sitting in the driver seat, move your head towards your windows and position your left miror so you only see a small portion of the door (standing normally, you should NOT see your car)

2) sitting in the driver seat, move you head towards you passenger window (around the center of the car) and position your left miror so you only see a small portion of the door (standing normally, you should NOT see your car)

you will need to get use to not see lines on the road or your own car but you virtually eliminate blind spots (although I recommand you still check over your shoulder)

try it !

[AzureCoupe0888]

haha, for me when I put it in reverse my mirror tilts down...

[rizla]

haha, for me when I put it in reverse my mirror tilts down...

Is that part of the tech package (which i dont have..)

[mcheddadi]

no, it's part of an aftermarket module from KPtech something lol

[ronaldbe]

not very long since i'm coming from an evo 8 gsr, my A/C is only slightly bigger than that

[kingkong954]

You can eliminate blind spots by gauging your mirrors a different way...set them up so that once a car leaves your rear view mirror (center), it enters into one of your side view mirrors, and once it leaves your side view mirror, you see it next to you. I know I make this sound really easy, but it is worth it - its something I learned at a defensive driving school my parents had me take when I was younger. It takes some getting used to, but it really works out well.

...this is the way.

I don't have any blind spots because my mirrors are setup properly -- I can track a car moving from my rear mirror, to my side mirrors, and then into my peripheral vision

I am constantly amazed at how often people think their SIDE mirrors are meant to do the same job as their REAR view. While behind them, I can actually see their faces in their side mirrors!

[vi3t89]

i use my senses haha

[PhillipRumans]

...this is the way.

I don't have any blind spots because my mirrors are setup properly -- I can track a car moving from my rear mirror, to my side mirrors, and then into my peripheral vision

I am constantly amazed at how often people think their SIDE mirrors are meant to do the same job as their REAR view. While behind them, I can actually see their faces in their side mirrors!

I started doing this on my cars about 4 years ago and it does work. I still always turn my head and check initially, but I check the mirrors to back myself up. I have my mirrors as far out as they will go and I can easily see cars going from being in the rear view mirror, to the side view and then into to my sight line to the side of the car.

[MagicM]

Open the door and stick half your body out while doing it looking above the car, better for the taller people don't think shorter people will be able to do it ><.

[vonivo]

About as long as it took me to start it.

[FGFCacoupe]

1 minute