I've seen this discussed in a couple of other threads, but I wanted to start a new one just for this topic. People who own or have test driven the IS - how bad do you think the blind spots are? In my test drive, I noticed that if you look over your right shoulder to check the passenger-side blind spot, you can't see a thing. On the other hand, the mirrors are huge, which should help. What are your thoughts - especially people who drive the car a lot, as a daily commuter etc?

 

I picked up my car last night and yes, when you look over your shoulder there is a huge blind spot. I guess thats why we have those big side mirrors on teh car.

 

I've driven the car twice and found the blind spot to be VERY bad looking over my right shoulder. Bad to the point that I feel it is a serious safety issue. Yeah, the big mirrors help some, but they can't eliminate the issue. I was trying to pull out from a circle on my last test drive and almost had to perform a "leap of faith." Fortunately, I was able to inch up far enough and cut the wheel left so that I could see oncoming traffic and safely pull out. This is a borderline deal breaking issue for me.

 

It's a serious issue for me too, and I'm surprised it's not talked about more, in the reviews for example. I don't want to get a car that I'm not confident driving on the highway... Every car has its flaws, but I really felt nervous changing lanes on the highway in this thing. Maybe you get used to it after a while?

 

I was part of a focus group for Infiniti that evaluated some technologies they were considering adding to their cars, and one was a notification light near each side mirror when a vehicle was in your blind spot.

There were little cameras hidden on the sides of the car for this purpose.

I haven't seen this in production yet but it worked well... Maybe Lexus should consider something similar.

 

definitely something to look for on future models...i think the reason the blind spot thing wasn't talked about was because the test drives are usually on courses without other cars around, so they might not have noticed a thing. I did notice the blindspot (i think it has to do with the head rests on the the passenger side being too large), but I ended up just using the dumbo ears more. I'll play around with it more tonight and see if there's some type of seat adjustment that minimizes the blindspot.

Jeff

 

Not sure if that is the B pillar or C pillar, but due to the design of the car, they put a very wide expanse of metal right where you look over your right shoulder. that is the issue. The headrests obstruct sightlines a tiny bit, but not much. Its that overly large pillar that does the real damage. Also, the IS has relatively short glass all around (i.e. the windows are tiny) so you don't get the "expansive" sense of view around the car. I'm a taller person, so it didn't bother me much, but the poor visibility over the rear hind quarters will wind up being an issue for many people. Wait until Consumer Reports does a review on the new IS. Most likely they will bring up the blind spot issue, as they focus on more practical issues.

 

Volvo already has that as an option on certain models, or will be introducing that very soon if it was delayed.

 

I guess I really never paid attention to the blind spots on this car. I do know that my currect car has raised my awareness levels of this problem, and I was terrified to take traffic circles because I cannot see on the right hand side of the vehicle.

I will do another test drive and see if the IS is better or worse than the blind spots I have on my car now.

 

I drove my car around during the nighttime, and the pillars on the sides don't bother me nearly as much as the right corner, where the pillar and the right dumbo ear is. If I'm making a tight right turn, that corner disappears from sight and if a pedestrian was in that spot and stepped onto the curb...well...bad juju. It's not a huge issue just need to lookout for pedestrians when entering a turn a little bit sooner than in my old car.

Looking out the back and backing up is harder than my accord, since the butt goes up so much it's hard to see how much room i have left when parallel parking...definitely wish I had the backup sensors now. But after I drive my car a little more, I'll know the corners, and it'll be fine.

Also...I'm guessing all these posts got bigger cuz they installed all these extra air bags....so some good came out of it

 

I guess it's a tradeoff - visibility vs. more airbags. Personally I would prefer an arrangement that makes you less likely to get into an accident - namely having better visibility - over a system that helps you if you do get in an accident - like all the airbags.

Can any other daily drivers comment on this - did you notice it, do you get more used to it over time, etc? Thanks!

 

According to the man who invented the rear view mirror (I forgot his name, and the rear mirror is more than a flat mirror), one wouldn't have to look over his shoulder to change lane, if the mirrors are adjusted PROPERLY--meaning that the views in the side mirrors and the interior rear view mirror should not overlap (you shouldn't see the side of your car in the side mirror). Most people adjust all 3 mirrors to look immediatly behind the car, which is wrong. Try this technique--it's a little weird at first, but actually works for any car, even low-slung two door sports cars.

 

i shall try this technique...

 

Found the technique! Heres a link..

http://wiki.ehow.com/Set-Rearview-Mi...te-Blind-Spots

I also found this amusing..
http://wiki.ehow.com/Stay-Calm-when-...u%27re-Driving

 

http://www.mac-paper.com/WebSiteFile...urMirrors.html

seems like the same thing.. but if you want another.. haha