I cant imagine having smaller mirrors would make it any easier to see whats around you. Maybe Im not understanding why you want them.

 

Not sure how to describe it better. The mirrors are right at my eye level. Between the size of the mirrors and the front windshield pillars there is a blind spot on each side when looking left or right around 45 - 60 degrees. When I get my car back I'm going to try and set the seat higher so I can see over the mirrors but if the mirrors are smaller or set up lower that will also make it easier to see. I guess I'm the only one with this issue!

 

no i hear you the mirrors are huge!! im thinking about putting a pair of those small round blind spot mirrors on (like old folk have)lol i think its the seating being too low?? i can relate however

 

I understand what you are saying but i don't have an issue with it personally but I may be taller, I think my seat is as low as it gets. I would sit up a little higher and see if you can get used to it before spending the money/time on new mirrors.

I like how the large mirrors can give me more visibility with blind spots, keep that in mind you will lose that with smaller mirrors. I do more highway driving so my blind spot while changing lanes is important.

 

Definitely an issue for us short people, but I rather have big mirrors than small one that you need to move your head around to see the whole lane behind you. I have learned to deal with such things. Most of my cars have had the mirrors blocking my view when cornering.

 

The OP is having trouble seeing out to the front because the large mirrors and pillars are blocking his forward view . So the blind spots are to the front not to the rear. I would suggest making sure the seat is adjusted to it's highest position via that lever on the side.



Master Procrastinator

 

That blind spot is not only contribute by the size of the mirror, but also the mounting point is high.

Along with the A pillar it creates a large blind spot on both sides to the front. Sitting high is a solution but I don't feel comfortable sitting up high, given my 5'7" frame. The best height I found is 1 pump from the lowest point.

Compare to my previous ride the blind spot is much larger. It requires more attention when making a turn.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AutoGuide.Com Free App

 

That blind spot is not only contribute by the size of the mirror, but also the mounting point is high.

Along with the A pillar it creates a large blind spot on both sides to the front. Sitting high is a solution but I don't feel comfortable sitting up high, given my 5'7" frame. The best height I found is 1 pump from the lowest point.

Compare to my previous ride the blind spot is much larger. It requires more attention when making a turn.

I'm 5'9", my wife is 5'7". Since she is the primary user of the car, we have the seat adjusted to her preferences. Luckily for me, it's nearly perfect for my needs. We have the seat adjusted all the way down as far as it will go. I've never heard her complain about the mirrors/A-pillar blocking her view, and they don't affect me, either.

 

Don't mean to rub anyone up the wrong way, but every car has blind spots of sorts. Either front pillar issues, rear view, side view. Even happens when I have passengers in the car, why do passengers have big heads......
As the OP said accident was his fault and I second the relief no one was hurt. But if you want a car that looks good you have to learn to live with these issues. Seat height, driver height, lighting, sun glare heavy rain etc means we need to adjust our habits and take extra care.

 

Whatever mirrors you get, you can have a body shop paint to match.

I have a feeling any mirror you buy will need to have an adapter/cover plate made to cover up the factory mirror footprint.
As far as sources, internet searching will get you many possibilities. Trying to find a smaller Hyundai mirror from another model might allow you to retain the power mirror ability

 

Unless you are driving an F350 truck, aftermarket mirrors are generally a fail.
They just never look right, or function right, and the blind spot will still be about the same.

That being said, in California at least, a right side mirror is not required by law. So you could just remove it and put some sort of beauty cover over the hole it leaves behind.

 

With the VT rear visibility being horribly thin and small, I love the large side mirrors. I've never had a problem with them causing a blind spot, and they're all I use when looking rearward in addition to turning my head around.

 

I'm 5'9", and prefer to sit low for my clutch position.
I've noticed the 45 degree blind spot, but it's more the pillar than the mirrors.
I've compensated by just being more careful, and pulling out slower.

As for the mirrors, I don't find they obstruct my view at all, however, the driver's side blind spot is kind of bad, so I'm also considering one of those old people mini mirrors to put on there haha.

 

I agree about the forward blind spots. It's not just the mirrors; the A pillars are thick too. It's the price of modern safety.

 

OP...i know exactly what you are experiencing. When i put the tiburon seat in my elantra, the seat sat atleast a good two inches lower. BOOM there where the mirros...i guess you just get used to it. I know I have.

 

I got it now.... short people problems.

Seriously though, a smaller mirror would make it easier to see out the front, but would make the rear blindspots even worse.

Lesser of two evils I guess.

I still remember the M3 style mirrors that everyone had on their cars years ago. lol

 

Thanks all for the replies. I'm 5'7 and yep, part of it is a short person problem. First thing I'll be doing when I get my car back is jacking the seat up and hoping that it isn't so uncomfortable that I won't like it. The other problem is dealing with years of driving habits and I had been trying to be more alert and careful since I noticed the problem. But I let my guard down and fell into my original driving habits and wham, pun intended!

As for rear blind spots getting worse I won't argue, but I will say I've been driving 33 years with rear blind spots and no accidents and 5 months with front blind spots and one accident so I guess I'm willing to take my chances...

I'd prefer not to mess with new mirrors so I'll play with seating options as most are suggesting and we'll see how it goes.

 

Thanks all for the replies. I'm 5'7 and yep, part of it is a short person problem.

5'6" -- no problem with the big side mirrors -- glad to have them. But I don't sit low. Close, yes. Low, no.

No one else addressed the specific that this is a 4-way stop. At a 4-way stop there is no obstruction of view. NONE. NADA. ZILCH. So looking right, left, or forward -- you don't need any mirror! You are just messing with those that can't read!

 

I won't argue the point as in most cases there should be no obstructed view. And I started to try and describe exceptions to the point as people come up to stop signs at different times and rates of speed, but that got too complicated. With that in mind I'm thinking I'll chalk it up to momentary hysterical blindness and call it good.

But I'm still going to raise my seat when I get my car back...

 

LOL -- I think raising the seat will be a great start. The side view mirrors are really very good. Most of time - well - it is us -- not the car. Been there (a few times).

 

I had a similar, but luckier issue with the left side mirror. Was at a 4 way stop and just about started to roll when a silver Chevy Impala appeared from behind the mirror. I was lucky that I hesitated, so nothing happened. Since replacing the mirror is a real chore, I raised the seat until I was able to see over the mirror.

One of the few times being short became a problem, but at least we short people will be able to fit in the super mini cars our government is about to force on us. Seriously, raising the seat took me out of my normal driving position but the Veloster seat is so good, it didn't take long to get used to sitting at a different angle.

Really a good reason for a smaller better positioned mirror, with maybe a better rear blind spot feature, would be for fuel economy at highway speeds. Those big mirrors have to hurt the aerodynamics at interstate speeds.

 

raising the seat does help, but now it is hard to get in the car without hitting my head. need power memory seat