2015 Scion xB - How to deal with blind spots?

The rear blind spots in 2015 Scion xB are big. How do you resolve that?

Hmm, just noticed that after ten years?
Best bet, trade it in.

You resolve that by test driving a car before you buy it

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The proportions of the xB might differ from those of cars I’ve driven (mainly sedans), but what I would do is set my side view mirrors so that none of the vehicle itself appears in them.

You would accomplish this by first adjusting your driver seat and steering wheel for maximum comfort plus utility of the steering wheel and pedals. Than adust your rear (interior) view mirror. Then lean toward each side to adjust the side views.

Again, how far out you must pan the side views differs per vehicle.

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A common problem with many cars these days. I got a Forester, better than most for visibility.

If you already own the xB, try adjusting the mirrors as described above, also check out the wide angle stick on mirrors to help out.

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As noted above, proper side-view mirror adjustment is key. But I also have “fish-eye” mirrors on all of mine. Cheap little stick ons from any AP store. I hate having to turn my head while driving.

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Drivers side mirror: Lean your head left until it touches the window. Adjust the mirror until you just see the edge of the rear fender in the mirror.

Passenger side mirror: Lean over the center console and adjust the passenger side mirror until you see the edge of the rear fender in the mirror.

Check the positioning by looking in the side mirror when a car passes you. As the car passing you exits the side view mirror it should be in your peripheral vision.

You can tweak the position of the mirror as needed after testing.

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Any parts store has these. Amazon.com

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Thanks, friend.
Post won’t let me edit, am looking at this one to buy. The blind spots are bigger than in my Gen1

OK, if you are thinking of this Scion as a purchase and already complaining about the visability find sonething else because it will always be a problem.

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Got it, you are determined to be a jerk.
Luckily, other people here responded with valid advice on mirror adjustment and additional mirrors.
You can run along now

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Thanks!
This really helped

Thank you for the snark, I am test-driving which is why I asked.
The blind spot situation is different than on my Gen 1
Luckily, other group members provided great solutions

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Another possibility is to install a rear-view camera. This feature was optional on my car, and I’m very glad that I spent the money for it. These cameras use a wide angle lens mounted inside, at the top of the rear window, and the image is displayed on a dedicated rear view mirror.

Because the mirror displays a wide-angle view from the rear of the vehicle, your mirror’s image doesn’t have any obstructions from the rear roof pillars. In addition, I suggest that you add small convex mirrors to your side view mirrors, as mentioned by some other members.

Meanwhile, something else no one has mentioned: if you’re buying a ten year old car as your daily driver, you’re simply looking for trouble.

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Absolutely!

My 2010 Honda Accord, purchased in 2020 with 71,700 miles, was a complete duhzazzter.

The tires needed replacing, and an alignment done. New wiper blades, cabin filter. Totally broke the bank!

What a nightmare. Not a peep out of the engine or transmission, got me wherever I had to go and back. Aircon recharged once since I’ve owned it.

Devastating…

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Well, that all depends on if you know what you’re doing or not. I’ve been 30 yrs buying 10+ yr old used cars from private sellers.

I’ve never gotten “burned.” Broke even only once (long story). The rest of the time, I’ve dropped a few grand on an old, high mileage car and made out like a bandit - as in many many miles for dirt cheap. I haven’t had a car payment since the 90s. And my cars have cost me almost nothing. Because I know what I’m doing.

The last car I got rid of was a 2003 Prius (in a post here somewhere). I bought it ~2018 or so for $2600. Drove it hither and yon for 7 yrs-ish and almost 60K miles while having to do virtually nothing to it outside of normal stuff (filters, plugs…). When it showed imminent death due to HV battery issues, I sold it for $800. No car payment all of that time. Low insurance and property tax costs. I’d say that I made money by finding that car if compared to paying through the nose to buy something newer and potentially by borrowed money.

I’d assume that your whole post was sarcastic, but just checking.

I don’t know why you’re being hard on @old_mopar_guy and @VOLVO-V70

Their advice is sound, imo

If something undesirable comes up during a test drive, don’t buy the car

Assumed correctly.

I’ve had other things fail on this car, but nothing that would leave me stranded, at home or away.

Since 2024, I’ve had both the driver window regulator(fancy word for up and down thing!) and the driver’s window/lock module replaced. $650 total over a 13 month period.

Small stuff starting to go.