rear view mirror visibility in exige S2 ?

[scotte]

Getting back to my worries about the ExigeS2 (it was over steer problems last time).... I have not been for a test drive yet so i have idea how good/bad rear visibility is with that rear cover bit (for want of a better word) :)

Can you actually see anything via the rear view mirror at all ? is it usable ? or is an exige S2 driver stuck using the wing mirrors ?

cheers
scott

[jitsukadave]

Only had a breif stint in one, but you can see stuff behind, but it can be pretty obscured: I wouldn't rely on it to park for instance; in general road use you can see what's behind, and I'd expect the blues-and-twos are easy to see

I parked it up easier than my FTO when I'd finished, which has an unobscured, but usless parking view.

[StuartB]

I understood that most S2 Exige rear view mirrors are removed and handed to the dealer as the customer drives away in his shiney new car. They are that little use

Think about out though, van and lorry drivers do not have them, 90% of car owners seem unable to use them. Stop worrying about it!

[J4mes C]

scotte said:

Can you actually see anything via the rear view mirror at all ? is it usable ? or is an exige S2 driver stuck using the wing mirrors?

Hi scotte, I've had an S2 Exige since March now, and do not find the visibility thing an issue at all. You can see the cars behind you through the mirror as you accelerate away!! For reverse parking you just use the wing mirrors. Once you take it for a test drive you will be hooked. Oh, and get a stage 2 lotus sports exhaust fitted too. They sound the dogs!

James.

[gooby]

Who needs a rear view mirror, nothing can keep up with you so why worry!

[shangani]

In your case Gooby that is probably true! Trying to keep up with you is like being in a SEGA game! Still, it is fun to watch other makes of cars dwindling in size in the rear view mirror.

As for the exige - in keeping with the Chapman philosophy on lightness, you wonder why they bothered - you can see b*gger-all out of the mirror anyway not that it seems to affect parking or driiving the car. Even in the elise I tend to use the side mirrors more.

[gooby]

Try this,
Shangani, is this the next group buy? I want one that I can hide my laser detector in.


www.sector111.com/micromirror.html

[scotte]

Thanks for the reply guys. Regarding going faster than everyone else so not needing to use the rear view - im pretty sure you can’t apply the philosophy on wet/icy days unless you have gonads of steel

[jez o]

You do get used to using the door mirrors very quickly. You can see a little out the rear, but it's very hazy through the mesh and the spoiler struts are quite chunky under the cover.
Do not use it to assist with parking though- it does distort the distance. Have often used the Lambo technique if parking in new place - open door and look at the rear wheel!! If you're unsure, don't test drive one- you will not be able to walk away without signing the finance agreement!!

[shangani]

Scotte - the rear view mirror is just as redundant on icy days - you can easily see the traffic behind you through the windscreen - though it is only an intermittent view as you spin round and round.

[scotte]

jez o said:

If you're unsure, don't test drive one- you will not be able to walk away without signing the finance agreement!!

yip thats exactly the problem dont want to test drive until the cash is in the bank.

shangani said:

Scotte - the rear view mirror is just as redundant on icy days - you can easily see the traffic behind you through the windscreen - though it is only an intermittent view as you spin round and round.

very funny ...... but not very very reasuring

[shangani]

Scotte - that was meant as a joke - the handling is bloody unbelieveable - not bad in the wet either. Obviously you don't cane it in soaking conditions, but if you recall the exige on topgear - 1:26 round the track on a damp track. With the 048's, you just need to be careful with standing water. A lot of cars have all sorts of nanny aids to keep things in check, but that often comes at the expense of progressive "feel". There are lots of warning sighns before you reach the limit in an S2, unless you are really being damn stupid. A day with 1st lotus will probably help to recognise those signs and deal with them.

Its not like trying to drive a Trevor (TVR) in the wet, where the torque of the engine will overcome the grip at any moment. With any RWD car you need to be circumspect in the wet, or when there are mushy fallen leaves on the road, but the car is far from the sort of car that needs a "do not drive in the wet" label like a TVR / cobra. I run my elise with a set of 048's for track and they are fine in the wet. I don't use them all the time as my car is a daily runner with reasonably high mileage and I wanted to avoid the wear.

You get in an S2 Exige and you will lay down your deposit there and then and will be shivering with anticipation till it arrives and grinning from ear to ear thereafter. Why do you think we all are so passionate about the cars?

[J4mes C]

I couldn't agree more with Shangani. I only took my elise in for a service and came away with an Exige. I drive mine to work everyday and it is superb. I have never had any issues / concerns at all with its handling or visibility.

Take one for a drive and enjoy!

[Davey S1]

You can see out of the rear mirror so its worth keeping on but you learn to rely on the side mirrors quickly.

[bob_defly]

I agree with Davey, it's still useful to have, now go and test drive one ASAP!!

[chris_n]

You can actually see quite a lot through the rear cover of an Exige once you get used to it. I think stories of people taking the mirror off relate to 240Rs where the intercooler and its ducting completely block the rear view.

Certainly wouldn't let concerns over the rear view put you off. Once you've had the car a couple of weeks you won't even think about it.

Go for it!

Chris

[davejavue]

Davy told me about his rear parking sensors which I would like but the price £165 plus £230 fitting all plus VAT put me off!!