just want to point out that the state of infrastructure in alaska is abysmal, even compared to the rest of the US.  Our roads are failing and bridges are falling apart even without earthquakes.  We now have a new governor with no clear plan forward other than a vague promise to give everyone $6700.  We’re just, maybe,…

As long as a hedge fund manager can afford a new gold boat every year, that’s all that matters.

Yeah, I understand that shrinking windows are probably safety related (glass... is glass, the body of a car contain pillars, hold airbags, etc.), but we’re really reaching a point where the top half of a lot of vehicles - not just low-slung hatches, but also, sedans and CUVs (which really should have bigger windows,…

It’s as though companies #1 priority is to add value to their investors and their bottom line regardless of the tactics they use to achieve that.

Had an 88 Isuzu Trooper and FJ60 you could see everything.

I was gonna say, Subaru (for the most part) seems pretty determined to maintain easy outward visibility, especially in the Forester.  Sit in a Forester and then go sit in a CX5, CRV or Rav4.  Sitting in the Forester feels like sitting in an ATC tower compared to sitting in a pill box.

“active safety blind spot autonomous bitcoin synergy”

You should go sit in a new subaru! They don’t suck

I was at the show and actually sat in the back of that car: not only is it difficult to get in and out because of that roofline, (I hit my head HARD on the roof and I’m about 50th percentile) those tiny rear side windows seriously exaggerate the cave-like feeling. 

This is not something to “get over”. This is something to shout from the mountaintops until automakers get the message that we NEED to be able to see.

I don’t trust blind spot monitoring enough to be okay with this. Gonna need a demonstration of how good that “360 degree” backup camera is at seeing approaching cross-traffic when preparing to back out of a parking space.

It’s actually worse than I expected. I didn’t realize so much of the back glass was fake. Those are some massive borders around the edges.

My #1 thing in a car is visibility... OK, my #3 thing in a car is visibility. #1 Playful Handling #2 Manual Transmission #3 Visibility. My all-time favorite cars: E39 wagon, Miata, BMW Motorcycle. Panoramic visibility. Nothing else matters if you can’t see the f out.

This is another thing that I’ve often mulled over about the boom in SUV/Crossover popularity. Modern sedans and hatches can be surprisingly cramped feeling and the visibility is often shit. Combined with the sometimes awkward trunk access (the trunk might be spacious enough, but the opening can be downright tiny…

Along with the high beltlines for crash survivability and mandates requiring reverse cameras on every car, rearward vision is no longer a priority in styling design. You can still see what’s behind you when you’re on the road, but you don’t have to turn around to back up anymore. Even the Miata has a reverse camera.

The Miata with the top UP has better visibility than this.

Cameras work are merely adequate when the lens is clean. Travel in snow or mud and they’re rendered useless. One has to get out and clean them off before use which is a real joy when the weather is bad.

“Historically, lots of cars have big C-pillars like this, such as the AMC Gremlin.”

Blind spot detection is designed to be used at speed. My wife’s CX-5 has it, and lights in the side mirrors illuminate when someone’s in your blind spot, and if you’re actually signaling your lane changes, it’ll beep at you, too.

Holy blind spot Batman!