To be named later

The RX8 is not the easiest car to see what is behind you when backing up, IMO.
If you get that uneasy feeling backing up, that maybe you aren't 100% sure what is behind you, don't do it.

There is an old saying in carpentry: "Measure twice, cut once"

I am very fortunate.
Last night my wife and I got to the restaurant. Very full parking lot. She dropped me off, I went in, she parked. She came in, said she didn't like the parking space because it was an odd angle in a corner, cramped. A space had opened up 2 spaces over, with plenty of space next to a big *** 4X4 truck. She wanted to re-park. I stayed over by the front door of the restaurant waiting.

All she really had to do I guess was back out the same way she pulled in. But she was having trouble so I started walking over when BAM she backed up into the rear of the 4X4. She hit it at a good clip, and just before impact my mind is thinking the rear left turn signal will be toast, damage to the rear left quarter panel, damage to the trunk lid, and the bumper. Plus damage to the big *** 4X4. Big $$$.

Fortunately, the damage is next to nothing. A couple tiny scratches on the bumper, barely noticeable. A portion of the bumper panel on the side was buckled outward but two fist thumps knocked it back in alignment with the body. The vinyl thread screw that attaches the bumper panel to the metal body is stripped. But all in all, from 2 ft away you cannot tell there is anything wrong. I guess we are fortunate that she either hit a tire, or just right on the truck because neither had damage when actually, there should have been a couple $thousand in damage. (left a note with my number for the owner of the 4X4....don't want bad karma)

Anyway, I write this long rambling message to say hey, guys, if the RX8 is kinda hard to see out the rear for you,.........if it don't feel right, don't do it.

My wife explained that she didn't feel 100% sure backing up, but she kept going because a) she didn't want us to lose the reservation, b) she thought I was probably getting upset because she was taking too long and I was standing in the cold, and c) another car was coming down the parking lot and she didn't want them to sneak into the space next to the 4X4 that she was trying to move to.

The moral of the story is it is much easier to take a few more seconds to make sure you are 100% certain when manuevering, even if another driver might think you are an idiot driver, even if you lose the parking spot, even if you lose a reservation, it is easier to take a few extra seconds and be sure compared to the cost and time of dealing with insurance, body shops, etc.

Like I said, we were very lucky.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

yeah, i have noticed that too. the rx8 is kind of hard to back up. i usually think im right on someones bumper and when i get out im about 5 feet away.

04RX8man

yeah if u drive it every day and back up everyday u learn about where everything is and makes it easier but i know what u all mean

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

uh... i drive my car every day and i back my car up every day. and im pretty beastly at parallel parking if i say so myself...

forgive me, but im going to assume the rx8 is your first car?

if you DD a few other cars, you'll realize that some are very easy to see out of the back and some are not.

Silver06

To be named later...

Wow, that was a frank and honest report. Good karma will be yours for leaving a note!

I also have a problem judging the distance to the rear of this car when backing towards low objects. I'll always err towards leaving too much space. It just seems that the design of a lot of cars nowadays means that you can't see properly out the back window.

I hope your repairs are quick and financially painless.

To be named later

There are a few more blind spots on an RX8 compared to the typical car.

And with any sporty car, often there are sacrifices that are made. Smaller sideview mirrors are an example.

And Jeez........from the outside that is one big-*** rear window, but damn, looking at it thru the rear view mirror I feel like I can only see out of 1/3 of it.

04RX8man

^thanks but no this is not my first car!! I can see fine I can parallel park fine and get within 12" of the curb no prob....what i'm saying is the first time you do it and you're far as hell away then the next time yo know that you can go closer and after practice and repetitions you get used to where you're wheels are and use you're mirrors and turn around in you're seat to back up....personally i think it is easier to back up than my eclipse gsx, trailblazer, and Dodge truck was...

Silver06

For good depth perception judging distances, it helps to have two points of reference (like the window itself and the edge of the trunklid).

I am spoilerless, and with a silver car, I just don't get a good reference off the trunk.


Edit... Honestly, it's not bad, or dangerous, or anything like that - I've just driven a lot of cars that have better sightlines.!

Rotard

I dont mean to sound sexist but I'd never let a female drive my car due to their inferiority. Just kidding!! Or am I? Seriously though, the tint you raped your car with (ghettofied/insecurity?) might effect your sight as well! JUST FRIENDLY ROTARDED APPROACH I HOPE YOU DONT GET MAD AND POST HATRED ;-;

Rotard

Jeeze lighten up! I'm sure he didn't my joking seriously, lol. If he did, however, I have an apology at the ready!

04RX8man

Ban!!!!!

Rotard

Okay then let me clean my mess up.

OP. Factor your tint into the accident, on my kia I got a pretty low tint ( i dont want anyone seeing me drive a kia, justifying my tint) and I almost backed up into some obstuction numerous times. On a personal note, I wouldn't let anyone drive my car (except my kia I dont give 2 ***** about). I hope my response is informative on some note.

StealthTL

iTrader: (1)

(clicks on Rotard name)

(clicks on Find More Posts by Rotard)

(reads threads, posts and responses)

Clicks on 'Add Rotard to Moderator Watch List', and waits............

S

Rotard

*hisssssssssssssssssssssssssss* Back to the shadows from wence I came!

Tim Tim Tim

I dont really find the rx8 to difficult to drive. I have driven so much worse.. (not so much talking about the op) most people expect to get in it and it be like a family sedan where they just look in the 3 mirrors and take a quick glance back and go, unfortunatly with ALL sports cars its going to take a little more effort on the drivers part. I typically use the mirrors 95% and look back to double check, I move my head foward and back though, yeah the mirror is small but if you have your head on the head rest and then move it up closer to the stearing wheel, you can really get a good look at what is around you

cjkim

exactly why 99% of the time, ill back up into a spot. (when possible)

ken-x8

Yep, visibility to the rear is not all that great. This is the first car I've had where I *have* to set the side mirrors the proper way, rather than the customary "see the edge of the fenders" method. I also pay more attention to what's around me, keeping track of things in real time rather than looking around just before I do something.

I'm also fortunate that my neighbors are generally alert, and notice me backing out of the driveway even if I don't notice them.

Ken

04RX8man

I completely agree with TIMTIMTIM just move your head around while looking in the mirrors and u can see everything that u woud need to c

Ross_Dawg

iTrader: (2)

When you grow up... feel free to show your face again

akitamike

Anyone know if you get the navigation option that you can then hook up a backup camera to run through the nav. Is this a dealer item or aftermarket, if you know of one.