I know there's the usual stereotype about the Camaro's visibility but is it THAT bad?

"KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time" (kngt)
04/14/2018 at 10:09 • Filed to: Camaro, Chevy

Found this interesting video from a driver’s POV and it seems manageable. If you have those small aftermarket blind spot mirrors+Blind spot monitor should be fine right? And it obviously has the backup cam. Haven’t driven the 6th Gen but I remember the 5th gen was horrendous. I read that Chevy improved it but I just wanted to know if it is a deal-breaker vs the Mustang.

Edit: Thanks for all the feedback Oppo, good to get different perspective. Guess I have to test drive them both back to back to really get it.

DISCUSSION (25)

Discerning > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 10:19

For me, it wasn’t just a matter of whetherI could see everything.

The car felt claustrophobic - particularly compared to the Z06 I had at the time. I don’t like feeling like I’m in a hole. I don’t need a drop top, but I don’t appreciate the polar opposite of that feeling either.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Discerning
04/14/2018 at 10:22

I am big on visibility but I don’t like driving convertibles as much as I like to look at them. A convertible Camaro would solve all the visibility issues of the coupe, obviously. I was wondering if you have to just change your driving habits and stop manually turn around check blind spots if you have a Camaro but depend on the tech/mirrors.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Discerning
04/14/2018 at 10:33

Claustrophobic - exactly. I was in one in 2012, and the slits for windows combined with the pitch-black interior was absolutely horrible. With a lighter interior it might be a little better, but that’s probably not available since this is a ‘sporty’ car so you don’t get anything but black. I’ve also been in ‘60s Camaros and it was much the same, but not quite as bad.

boxrocket > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 10:46

Yes, it is that bad.

Even with my head brushing the ceiling, I have a difficult time gauging the edges of the car. The mirrors need to be taller. The convertible only helps some of the side visibility concerns when it’s open, but amazingly worsens rearward visibility. The car has a huge ass: The nearest I compare it to is an old supercar - like a Countach - where you have to almost get out of the car to see where the rear and hips are - and even the front, but unlike an old Italian, it’s not a semi-endearing quick, it’s an unthinkable design flaw in today’s day and age. A backup camera is a must. One of the surround-view systems that Ford, Jaguar/Land Rover, and Nissan have would be helpful.

DISCERNING explained it well: The cabin is claustrophobic. The riot of buttons and switches leads to visual confusion, which makes it that much more of an unpleasant experience, which is the opposite of what a modern sports/performance car should be. The final blow is the interior material choices, which feel cheap but are meant to emulate a more-expensive look. The plastics on the doors and center tunnel/console notably get sticky (and hot) in warmer weather, so wearing shorts is risky.

In short, get the Mustang. The performance differences are scarcely noticeable on the street (and the right driver and tires can put the Mustang ahead anyway), plus you don’t look like a massive tool.

Shift24 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 10:47

People complain about my 4th gen not having visibility, which they are just crazy. But after sitting in a few, I don’t get the complaints. The only thing I did see where it’s valid is the C pillar when you look behind you. I didn’t go through the whole video but at the beginning he never looks over his shoulder. Now this is the same with most coupes and the rear view camera helps . But if youre at an akward intersection and need to look behind you, go watch Clarkson’s review the Jaguar f-type coupe

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 10:49

Visiting friend had a rental and we went for a spin in it and good God I couldn’t see shit. I’m a 6' tall dude and still, it was crammed and the windows felt like that of an armored car from GTA if you drove first person.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 10:55

The C7 feels airy inside for comparison. I wouldn’t call it a deal breaker, but it’s quite bad. Front visibility is somehow bad as well.

camarov6rs > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 10:55

Visibility isn’t an issue after 1 week and now the 6th gen has some appreciated aides. The tightness will be something to take into account depending on what you are used to and how big you are. I am 5’ 9” 175 lbs and fit well.

Urambo Tauro > Shift24
04/14/2018 at 10:59

Yeah, the video doesn’t have much to say about rearward visibility. When he first backs out of his driveway, the GoPro is only following his head, not his eyes, and we don’t actually see the rear quarters until around 3:50. And he just kinda glosses over how bad they are. He doesn’t even mention visibility through the rear glass.

And that’s the problem. He needs to pull into a parking spot, surrounded by other cars, and show what it’s like to look for other cars while trying to back out again. It’s not enough to judge the car through the front and door glass.

kgman > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 11:07

I test drove one and had zero issues. I could see just as well as any other car I’ve driven. This was in downtown traffic too

My bird IS the word > Discerning
04/14/2018 at 11:08

My thoughts exactly. sitting in it is oppressive.

MM54 > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 11:10

It’s incredibly bad. I’ve had rentals of a few trim levels, and it’s like trying to drive from inside a safe. You can’t turn and look over your shoulder to change lanes - all you see is the pillar. You have to trust the mirrors, which are nearly useless anyways. Directly behind you is fine, but want to see in the next lane over behind you? No way. It’s bad.

HammerheadFistpunch > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 11:13

I couldn’t stand it but the mustang wasnt much better. Then again, I think cars like the 4runner and Tacoma are a little light on seeoutivness for my tastes.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 11:34

I had a rental 6th gen for several days last year. It wasn’t bad. Here’s my full review of you missed it back then: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/2017-chevrolet-camaro-v6-the-oppositelock-rental-revi-1795467223

wafflesnfalafel > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 11:43

I do personally prefer visability, (it’s one of the reasons why older Hondas are popular.) But I think Camaros are supposed to be like that - you sit down into them, the dash is high, the hood is high, the beltline is high. A buddy had an 88RS years ago, and while better than the current model for visability, you still sat down into it behind the tall dash. We teased him you feel like an a$$hole as soon as you get be hind the wheel. :)

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > HammerheadFistpunch
04/14/2018 at 11:47

One of my coworkers dailies a 3rd gen 4Runner and another has a new Tacoma. Every time I’m in the 4Runner I’m reminded of how much better visibility was back then.

ranwhenparked > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 12:14

I had a 2013 Mustang for several years, I can’t imagine rear visibility being much worse. Challenger wasn’t really any better, but at least it had a backup cam.

Danimalk - Drives a Slow Car Fast > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 12:39

Can’t day for sure but a lot of these comments sound like someone who sat in one at an autoshow once or maybe even took one for a quick test drive one weekend

I’ve had a rental for an entended time and while first impressions are cramped, tight feeling, all was forgiven when you have it out in the road and actually adjust to it.

My lasting impression of the car was about how serious a sports car it was, how awesome the steering felt, how responsive the throttle was. Not how difficult it was to drive or maneuver.

All the same blind spot, traffic light, and intersection visibility concerns a coupe gives you are the same concerns on the Mustang, the Camaro just drives way better.

TLDR, The visibility is a non-issue after an adjustment period and the rest of the car makes it totally worth any compromise.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Urambo Tauro
04/14/2018 at 12:53

That would be the perfect test.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > boxrocket
04/14/2018 at 12:59

I’m not in the market right now just curious but yeah with the V8s they’re pretty much the same on the street.
So, Get a Camaro and look like a Mullet-douche or get a Mustang and look like the Dudebro who crashes at a Cars&Coffee. Tool vs. Tool

Kinja'd!!!

His Stigness > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 13:00

The thing I find most ridiculous is I wasn’t able to fit my fat head through the window.

But people are doing it wrong. Your side mirrors shouldn’t be looking straight behind you, you should angle them out to eliminate the blind spots.

It takes a little getting used to, but once you do, you realize how great it is. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots&ved=2ahUKEwiOrrLUnrraAhWJhVQKHW58BSUQFjAAegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw044iYNWur78FvDjE1N_Vhp

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
04/14/2018 at 13:00

Awesome review, Thanks!

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 13:11

You’re welcome!

for Michigan > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 13:25

IMO, the Mustang has significantly better visibility, but even in that I had trouble placing the corners of the car. I was much more comfortable in a BRZ.

boxrocket > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time
04/14/2018 at 17:44

Apparently, yeah. Haircuts and proper driving are more or less controllable. Not being able to see at will can be more difficult to overcome.