Please help my wife -- with driving . . . help !!

Roger Dodger 1 · 02-27-2007, 08:54 AM

I am about to purchase a Prius -- took my wife to the dealer . . .

She got into the car -- we had her drive it with the salesperson (I stayed back not wanted to influence her in any way and have a real test drive)

They came back after a zip around several blocks . . . she got out of the car and said: "I cannot see out of the back while driving -- because of the split view -- that bar is in the way."

Translation: she did not like looking in the rear view mirror and have a split screen view with the hatchback bar separating the usually open view to the rear.

Help -- have some of you encounted this ???

When I drove the car (twice) -- I looked through the bar, past the bar, and it was not a problem for me.

She did not like it.

Suggestions . . .

daronspicher · 02-27-2007, 08:59 AM

Get a new wife.

Ok, that's a bad suggestion, but maybe the only one that will fix this situation. My wife doesn't appreciate the rear view camera when backing up. I think these things make sense in some brains and others don't adapt over to the new look very well or very fast.

The rear window was small for me for about 2 weeks. Since then, I don't find it to be a problem.

Renocat · 02-27-2007, 09:02 AM

I don't like the view through the rear window either..but it is not enough to make me get rid of the car. After time, careful checking with mirrors, through the window and with the back up camera and she will get used to it.

Schmika · 02-27-2007, 09:54 AM

It is just new!!! BUT, if someone has their mind made up they do not want something.....they will find any excuse.

nicoss · 02-27-2007, 10:06 AM

You may suggest to her that Toyota put it there in order to block the headlights of the car behind you.
Or you may take out to lunch her best friend (not her buddy, the other one she is jealous off) and persuade her to buy a Prius.
Or you may be strong, buy the Prius and on your way home pass by IKEA and order two beds.

P.S. Wives are known to be a necessary impediment.

Charles Suitt · 02-27-2007, 12:36 PM

<_< Many people are reluctant to change - it might invade their 'comfort zone.' The view to the rear is different but I don't consider it all that bad. The lower glass gives a better view of the car just behind you, as in a traffic stop or parked, and the 'bar' shades headlights of traffic behind you at night - some perceieve this as a plus.

The rear view camera is useful in a general sense, but the 'fisheye' lens distorts the view somewhat. You can be aware of obstacles behind you but judging distance is questionable. I usually glance at the rear view display but as in the past, I always 'rubber neck' looking in all directions when backing.

One thing I found helpful is adjusting the exterior rearview mirrors so that they afford a 'panoramic' view to the rear combined with the interior mirror [taught at Defensive Driving courses]. The left exterior mirror: Lean your head just touching the driver's side window and adjust the mirror so you can just barely see the left rear corner of the car. The right exterior mirror: Lean your head over the center console and adjust the right mirror so you can barely see the right rear corner of the car. This provides a slight overlap with the inside mirror, and excellent views of the lanes to your right and left... Works for me!

Perhaps you could find a rental Prius and drive it for a week. A 'demo drive' with a salesperson doesn't give a very thorough experience to make a decision.

john1701a · 02-27-2007, 12:46 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Roger Dodger 1 @ Feb 27 2007, 07:54 AM) [snapback]397147[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Suggestions . . .
[/b]

Tell her to think about the back window as a "bi-focal" view.

The lower section is mostly below seat-height anyway, so that's something you wouldn't normally even be able to see. But in Prius, you do. It actually provides a taller view than normal as a result... great for parking, but pretty much useless for viewing anything beyond a car-length or two.

The upper section provides the view for everything else. But if you are the type of person that never use the side-mirrors, you won't like it regardless. In other words, it is more an issue of the difference between a hatchback and sedan than the split window.

**efusco** · 02-27-2007, 01:40 PM

I would certainly try hard to not allow her to make that her main/only reason for not getting a Prius. While there was a lot of scuttle-butt about that rear-view in the first year or so after this gen. Prius came out it's clear that it is easy to get used to. Once the mirror is properly adjusted and you get a little experience with it you don't even notice the bar any more.

Tell her to think of it like head-rests on the back seat...sometimes those block part of the view out the rear window too...but one gets used to it and the brain learns to ignore that minor distraction.

One last thing that can help...since the tint of the lower glass is darker than that of the upper glass, darkening the tint of the upper glass a little really helps 'balance' the light and makes it a bit quicker to adapt. Personally I think tinting the windows is desireable anyway.

Gadgetdad · 02-27-2007, 01:50 PM

Many have removed the center headrest in the back seat to improve the view. Sometimes the retractable cover for the cargo area is out of position and flipped up blocking more of the view. As others have said, one gets used to the view restrictions.

SSimon · 02-27-2007, 01:55 PM

The rear view was the only initial feature that I didn't like about the car (well, you can add the lack of a coin bin to that statement). It took me about an entire week to get used to. Now it's second nature to me and it doesn't impede my operation of this car in the slightest. I actually don't even notice it anymore.

02-27-2007, 12:36 PM	#6
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	<_< Many people are reluctant to change - it might invade their 'comfort zone.' The view to the rear is different but I don't consider it all that bad. The lower glass gives a better view of the car just behind you, as in a traffic stop or parked, and the 'bar' shades headlights of traffic behind you at night - some perceieve this as a plus. The rear view camera is useful in a general sense, but the 'fisheye' lens distorts the view somewhat. You can be aware of obstacles behind you but judging distance is questionable. I usually glance at the rear view display but as in the past, I always 'rubber neck' looking in all directions when backing. One thing I found helpful is adjusting the exterior rearview mirrors so that they afford a 'panoramic' view to the rear combined with the interior mirror [taught at Defensive Driving courses]. The left exterior mirror: Lean your head just touching the driver's side window and adjust the mirror so you can just barely see the left rear corner of the car. The right exterior mirror: Lean your head over the center console and adjust the right mirror so you can barely see the right rear corner of the car. This provides a slight overlap with the inside mirror, and excellent views of the lanes to your right and left... Works for me! Perhaps you could find a rental Prius and drive it for a week. A 'demo drive' with a salesperson doesn't give a very thorough experience to make a decision. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

02-27-2007, 01:40 PM	#8
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,247 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	I would certainly try hard to not allow her to make that her main/only reason for not getting a Prius. While there was a lot of scuttle-butt about that rear-view in the first year or so after this gen. Prius came out it's clear that it is easy to get used to. Once the mirror is properly adjusted and you get a little experience with it you don't even notice the bar any more. Tell her to think of it like head-rests on the back seat...sometimes those block part of the view out the rear window too...but one gets used to it and the brain learns to ignore that minor distraction. One last thing that can help...since the tint of the lower glass is darker than that of the upper glass, darkening the tint of the upper glass a little really helps 'balance' the light and makes it a bit quicker to adapt. Personally I think tinting the windows is desireable anyway. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD Seaside 04BC9/OEM EVb/NAV & auto-BT/XM Radio, CAN-View, Shark Fin, BT Stiff. Plate, Skid Plate & Strut Support

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02-27-2007, 08:54 AM	#1
Roger Dodger 1 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I am about to purchase a Prius -- took my wife to the dealer . . . She got into the car -- we had her drive it with the salesperson (I stayed back not wanted to influence her in any way and have a real test drive) They came back after a zip around several blocks . . . she got out of the car and said: "I cannot see out of the back while driving -- because of the split view -- that bar is in the way." Translation: she did not like looking in the rear view mirror and have a split screen view with the hatchback bar separating the usually open view to the rear. Help -- have some of you encounted this ??? When I drove the car (twice) -- I looked through the bar, past the bar, and it was not a problem for me. She did not like it. Suggestions . . .

02-27-2007, 08:59 AM	#2
daronspicher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,205 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Get a new wife. Ok, that's a bad suggestion, but maybe the only one that will fix this situation. My wife doesn't appreciate the rear view camera when backing up. I think these things make sense in some brains and others don't adapt over to the new look very well or very fast. The rear window was small for me for about 2 weeks. Since then, I don't find it to be a problem.

02-27-2007, 09:02 AM	#3
Renocat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 361 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I don't like the view through the rear window either..but it is not enough to make me get rid of the car. After time, careful checking with mirrors, through the window and with the back up camera and she will get used to it.

02-27-2007, 09:54 AM	#4
Schmika Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Xenia, OH Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It is just new!!! BUT, if someone has their mind made up they do not want something.....they will find any excuse.

02-27-2007, 10:06 AM	#5
nicoss Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 304 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You may suggest to her that Toyota put it there in order to block the headlights of the car behind you. Or you may take out to lunch her best friend (not her buddy, the other one she is jealous off) and persuade her to buy a Prius. Or you may be strong, buy the Prius and on your way home pass by IKEA and order two beds. P.S. Wives are known to be a necessary impediment.

02-27-2007, 01:50 PM	#9
Gadgetdad Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Modesto, California Posts: 300 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Many have removed the center headrest in the back seat to improve the view. Sometimes the retractable cover for the cargo area is out of position and flipped up blocking more of the view. As others have said, one gets used to the view restrictions.

02-27-2007, 01:55 PM	#10
SSimon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: N/W of Chicago Posts: 1,266 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	The rear view was the only initial feature that I didn't like about the car (well, you can add the lack of a coin bin to that statement). It took me about an entire week to get used to. Now it's second nature to me and it doesn't impede my operation of this car in the slightest. I actually don't even notice it anymore.