- #4881 of 4929
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fastback visibility
by andopi
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Jul 04, 2006 (3:11 pm)
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Hey there,
I have a question about my one-week-old  GLS hatch. I've noted that the visibility out back is limited because the bottom side of the hatchback seems a bit higher. Anyone have similar "issues"? Maybe it's something I'll just get used to? It's not so much that the backwindow in general is smaller (the entire window "fits" into the backmirror, which feels a bit unusual, too), but that it's higher up than most cars I have driven. Makes me feel a bit more uncertain when backing up. I just got the car and am liking it a lot otherwise.
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- #4882 of 4929
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Re: fastback visibility [andopi]
by backy
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Jul 04, 2006 (4:32 pm)
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Replying to: andopi (Jul 04, 2006 3:11 pm)
You will get used to it. Consider all the sedans that have high trunk lids--which is very popular these days to maximize trunk space. I'll bet the bottom of the Elantra hatch's rear window is lower than on many other cars--just not as low as on your last car.
To me, the big C pillars are a bigger issue than the rear window. But that's what side mirrors are for.
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- #4883 of 4929
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visibility in back
by 4ruth
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Jul 05, 2006 (1:51 pm)
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As far as i am concerned, this is one of the biggest drawbacks in the design. I have been driving my hatchback for a year and I still have problems with blind spots that have almost gotten me creamed by cars on my left, coming up from the rear. The rider side mirror is essential to changing lanes in ways I have never had to use before. I am still training myself to use it more.
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- #4884 of 4929
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Re: visibility in back [4ruth]
by backy
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Jul 05, 2006 (1:55 pm)
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Replying to: 4ruth (Jul 05, 2006 1:51 pm)
One thing that might help is be sure the side mirrors are adjusted properly. When they are, you will have continuous vision of cars approaching from behind: first in the inside rearview mirror, then as the car starts passing you and leaves the inside mirror, it moves to the side mirror, then finally as it leaves the side mirror it enters your peripheral vision. The ol' glance-over-the-shoulder comes in handy too. 
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- #4885 of 4929
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Re: visibility in back [backy]
by doohickie
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Jul 05, 2006 (7:04 pm)
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Replying to: backy (Jul 05, 2006 1:55 pm)
I never noticed a visibility problem. I'm 6-2; is this a short person thing?
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- #4886 of 4929
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Re: visibility in back [doohickie]
by backy
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Jul 05, 2006 (7:16 pm)
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Replying to: doohickie (Jul 05, 2006 7:04 pm)
Maybe. But as I've mentioned, the bottom of the back window isn't any higher than on many of the newer sedans. And it's a big back window. Personally I don't think it's a problem if the mirrors are adjusted and used properly. I can see how that would be a problem for some. Before I got daily use of our Elantra GT, my wife used to keep re-adjusting (incorrectly) the side mirrors. I tried to explain why I adjusted them like I did, and how to take advantage of them, but it's hard to change deeply ingrained behavior. Now she can mess up the mirrors on her minivan to her heart's content--I only need to readjust them when I drive the thing, which isn't often. Now, that vehicle has a BIG blind spot in the rear, but at least it is relatively tall and the side windows are big all around.
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- #4887 of 4929
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Re: visibility in back [backy]
by jlflemmons
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Jul 06, 2006 (6:51 am)
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Replying to: backy (Jul 05, 2006 7:16 pm)
Same problem on the mirrors with my wife. She keeps setting them so she can see the side of the car. I explained to her that the sides of the car weren't going anywhere she really should trust them to go with the rest of the vehicle. 
Boy, did that get a look ... 
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- #4888 of 4929
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Re: visibility in back [doohickie]
by andopi
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Jul 06, 2006 (8:15 am)
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Replying to: doohickie (Jul 05, 2006 7:04 pm)
Maybe, but I'm not that short! (5-9) My main issue with the backwindow visibility at the moment really has more to do with backing up than with normal driving, shifting lanes, etc. I simply feel I see less what's right behind me than I did in my Accord (which, granted, wasn't a "new" sedan). And I don't think I can adjust any of the mirrors to show me what's right behind me? But, I also think this is something I'll get used to and maybe if I play with the mirrors to see how they help, generally, with a securer sense of visibility, maybe then I feel less unsure about the back.
Thanks for all the feedback, by the way!
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- #4889 of 4929
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Re: visibility in back [andopi]
by jlflemmons
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Jul 06, 2006 (9:18 am)
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Replying to: andopi (Jul 06, 2006 8:15 am)
If you want to talk poor rear visability, talk to someone who owned a 1970 Mustang Mach I. Like looking through eye slits!
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