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Test Drove RX8 First Impressions

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Old Jan 15, 2009 | 11:20 PM
  #1  
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Test Drove RX8 First Impressions

Pros: I love this car!!!

Cons: This is a big issue for me. Blindspots on the left-hand side were bad. I know there are ways to correct this. Here's a couple of ideas.

1. I looked on the http://www.multivexmirror.net/Results.asp?category=2 site but they don't have side mirrors for the RX8. I might call them. I had them on other cars they are nice. Their mirrors stick on the side mirrors and cover them completely.

2. For the rear view something like this

It may look silly but it I think it would help.



Any thoughts?

Last edited by Troyx8; Jan 15, 2009 at 11:23 PM.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 12:35 AM
  #2  
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?

looks ugly
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 12:41 AM
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Yeah, the blind spots are kind of bad but you get used to them. No need for a silly mirror.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 01:19 AM
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I did not like the blind spots in the lower outer corners of the side mirrors. So I swapped on FC rx-7 mirrors. Partly because I didnt like the look of the '8 mirrors, and partly because they have a better field of vision in my opinion. Instead of being wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, these mirrors are wide at the bottom and narrower at the top...exactly what you need. I feel the vision and the look of the car has been improved.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 01:30 AM
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welcome to the club!

Yeah, I hate the blindspots (especially at night) but after awhile you get used to where a car's rear bumper would be in the mirror if there were to be a car there.

Not sure I like the yardstick rear view mirror though
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 01:53 AM
  #6  
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dont worry much about the blind spot on the left hand side because i used to have trouble with it in the beginning also, but found a way to over come it. all you have to do is move your head closer to the steering wheel and look at the left rear view mirror. that should take away your left hand side blind spot.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 07:17 AM
  #7  
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Don't think of them as "blind" spots... think of them as FUN spots! Everyone loves surprises, and what could be more surprising than an Escalade slamming into you at 80 mph when you merge into that "open" lane next to you? My only real complaint with the car is the blind spots actually, I've had a few near misses, but you do get used to them. It's mostly caused by the suicide doors and lack of a traditional B-pillar.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 07:54 AM
  #8  
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Same issue, easy fix.. ~$2/pair at AutoZone. The 2" convex mirror rotates to get the perfect side view down to the ground and close up to the car.

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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 08:39 AM
  #9  
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you'll get used to it. i always turn in my seat to make sure i'mclear to the left before making any hasty moves. i think the overall enjoyment of the car makes up for the small idiosyncrasies of the car...plus its more driver involvement
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 08:42 AM
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We have blind spots? I just adjust my mirrors accordingly, no accidents yet in 4 years.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 09:05 AM
  #11  
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My first test drive sold me on the car as well. I always heard about the rx series and the rotary engine but never knew how much I would love to drive one! I picked mine up a week ago and still can't concentrate at work, Rx8club is like crack!
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 09:29 AM
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Multivex Mirrors Does make one for the RX8!!!

These are really nice side view mirrors that will stick on the entire RX8 side view mirror. The are progressively curved too - meaning the further to out to the side of the mirror the more you can see.

I had these for my Crapmaro - They worked great.


http://www.multivexmirror.net/Result...=29&category=6

http://www.multivexmirror.net/technology.html


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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 09:35 AM
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Really? I didn't notice.

I must be too much of an old dog that knows how to adjust the mirrors.

The secrect is not to be able to see the side our your car in the mirror. Then you have full visabilty on the left and right.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 09:37 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Troyx8
Pros: I love this car!!!

Cons: This is a big issue for me. Blindspots on the left-hand side were bad. I know there are ways to correct this. Here's a couple of ideas.

1. I looked on the http://www.multivexmirror.net/Results.asp?category=2 site but they don't have side mirrors for the RX8. I might call them. I had them on other cars they are nice. Their mirrors stick on the side mirrors and cover them completely.

2. For the rear view something like this

It may look silly but it I think it would help.


Any thoughts?
Multivex makes a great mirror...too bad they don't have them for the 8. Give them a call as they may have something that will work in your application.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 09:44 AM
  #15  
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Can't you just turn your head to the left?
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 09:57 AM
  #16  
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Bingo. Always adjust your external mirrors to overcome blind spots. I've always used a barstool in the garage placed in the blind spot and adjust to that. Typically the passenger side mirror must reflect further out from the body than driver side.

Originally Posted by Razz1
Really? I didn't notice.

I must be too much of an old dog that knows how to adjust the mirrors.

The secrect is not to be able to see the side our your car in the mirror. Then you have full visabilty on the left and right.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 10:01 AM
  #17  
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no body looks over there shoulder anymore??????
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 10:02 AM
  #18  
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^i do that all the time...people just get lazy
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 10:08 AM
  #19  
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I do too but the reflection or change in light in the mirrors can catch your eye before your head is completely turned.

Its the radical lane changes of others that get into that blind spot before you can turn your head.

By the way... i'm the lead dog so its a mute point anyway..

Mu ha ha.......
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 10:16 AM
  #20  
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Install a periscope and sonar and you'll be all set.

-1.3L
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 10:18 AM
  #21  
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You're not positioning the mirror correctly. Seated normally there should be very little overlap between the rear view and side view mirrors. This will eliminate any blind spots. You do not need to see the side of your own car in the side mirrors.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 10:33 AM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by costello
You're not positioning the mirror correctly. Seated normally there should be very little overlap between the rear view and side view mirrors. This will eliminate any blind spots. You do not need to see the side of your own car in the side mirrors.


+10000........ so that as you see the front of the car approaching on your sideview mirror you're also able to see it in the rear view.
What da hell happened to defensive driving techniques??
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 10:42 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by dragonish
My first test drive sold me on the car as well. I always heard about the rx series and the rotary engine but never knew how much I would love to drive one! I picked mine up a week ago and still can't concentrate at work, Rx8club is like crack!
lol yeah, now that i think about it
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 11:03 AM
  #24  
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As long as you move your head around its really not bad at all. Keep your head on a swivel and know your surroundings, also never assume a lane is open. The only issue I have had is with the A-pillar due to the air bag. Coming from an older MR2 its a big difference.
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Old Jan 16, 2009 | 11:53 AM
  #25  
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how to correct the blind spots:

Get to know the car and learn to work around them.

1. Free
2. Isn't ugly
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