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-   -   Didn't realize how invisible we are to trucks until I sat in one (http://986forum.com/forums/boxster-general-discussions/56708-didnt-realize-how-invisible-we-trucks-until-i-sat-one.html)

new2bxstr 04-13-2015 07:23 AM

Didn't realize how invisible we are to trucks until I sat in one
 
Got in a friend's large pickup truck that was raised a little bit. The Boxster is so low that unless I'm looking for it, or using the side mirrors well, I would totally not see it if I glanced over my shoulder quickly to see if there are any cars.

Now I find myself accelerating past big pickups and 18 wheelers rather driving alongside of them. Maybe I'm being too risk-averse, but I was surprised at how invisible the car was when I was in the truck.

silver-S 04-13-2015 07:46 AM

Thanks for the reminder. Hustle past big trucks -- got it.

KRAM36 04-13-2015 07:52 AM

Look at their mirror, if you can see them, they can see you.

healthservices 04-13-2015 07:55 AM

With people these days on the cell phone, and in a hurry all the time, I drive defensively and constantly aware and remove myself from people's blind spot.

At the same time you have to be careful when you drive a nice car. People who like to take a moment or two to take notice of your car tend to always be in that blind spot of yours, so I always look in my blind spot esp when I'm going the speed of traffic for a long period.

BrokenLinkage 04-13-2015 08:08 AM

I assume every vehicle out there is going to hit me if at all possible. I use the Porsche's agility, acceleration, and braking to put as much distance between me and other drivers (especially clumps of cars and particularly trucks) as is reasonably possible on the interstate.
So far it is working out, although one wreck happened next to me recently with nowhere for me to go. Thankfully the truck involved did see me and was kind enough not to run my a$$ over in an effort to avoid hitting another truck. A large piece of debris (?hood) flew right over the top of my car, but not a scratch. Both trucks totaled less than 2 feet away.

healthservices 04-13-2015 08:39 AM

I'm constantly scanning and looking in the mirrors. about three weeks ago I made the mistake of pointing out a car to my daughter. Traffic was slower on a particular part of the freeway as it always is on the 91 headed east past the 55. as I slowed down I looked in the mirror and see a BMW dart left and right passing cars. It must have been going at least 30 mph faster than traffic. A moment later, I glance in my right mirror and see the car is in a slow spin and overtaking me on the right. Just before it passes us, (we are still going at least 50) I say to my little girl, look to the right honey and see what happens when you not aware of whats around you! She looks over just as it passes us backwards, in the slow spin still, two to three lanes to the right, it hits an embankment and goes what seems like 10 feet in the air.... Well there is more to the story but now when she thinks I'm not paying attention, she asks me to watch what i'm doing. :rolleyes:

Jinx 04-13-2015 08:45 AM

We always use our lights no matter how
Short the trip.
Boxster is Silver. Dealer from whom
We purchased it from told me about it
Being a color that's hard to see.

If we are on the interstate or turnpike
We also use the fog lamps.
That being said I was coming back
From a meeting yesterday afternoon
On the turnpike and got pulled over.
Reason being officer thought there was a problem
With back lights. With the rear fog lamps
On only the right lamp acts as a fog lamp
Vs both lamps. No ticket. Complemented
Me on the car.

Fintro11 04-13-2015 08:48 AM

I was almost run off the road by an idiot with a lift kit, I just stayed in my lane. I honked and he swearved back into his lane lost control and spun into the oncoming lane then into the ditch. I don't know why they let idiots run lift kits on the road.

healthservices 04-13-2015 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinx (Post 444746)
We always use our lights no matter how
Short the trip.
Boxster is Silver. Dealer from whom
We purchased it from told me about it
Being a color that's hard to see.

I used to tell people about that color all the time and they don't believe me. but owning a silver car and having people make lane changes when they should have seen me tells me differently.

Muzzle of Bees 04-13-2015 09:24 AM

My Boxster is silver.
Rule: I never spend too much time next to any vehicle. My focus is to try and get past quickly and back into the cruiser lane.
My daily driver is an Xterra, no lift. Its sits pretty tall from the factory. It is one reason why I own it.
See rule above.

jotoole 04-13-2015 09:34 AM

Yep-
safety first.

KenDFW 04-13-2015 11:34 AM

Imagine being in a boxster with lowering springs. (All you lowered/sport suspension folks know). I have the Eibach springs on my car and SUVS/Trucks, drive-thru windows are pretty high up. I will have to take a picture.

jb92563 04-13-2015 12:01 PM

If you want to stay out of accidents you need high situational awareness (SA), stay out of everyone's blind spots and don't drive beside/behind the tires of Tractor Trailers.

I was beside a Tractor-Trailer, passing to get away from him and I got to the front tires when I heard a huge boom. His rear cab tire blew out and the tow truck following me got a huge tire tread square in the windshield, he swerved and barely managed to keep out of the ditch with his windshield totaled.

I also assume the slow drivers are intoxicated and that cars wandering all over the road are texting.

Last week a raised truck hit a concrete road barrier endways due to wandering out of his lane in a construction area.

Too many Drivers suck and I think the drivers license should require as much education as a pilots license to weed out all the crappy drivers.

antny 04-13-2015 12:16 PM

Maybe it is the motorcyclist in me. I never if avoidable drive in anyones blinds spot or next to ever. I always try to be in front of traffic if at all possible.

husker boxster 04-13-2015 01:26 PM

I always freak out when I'm stopped at a light and a big 4 wheeler rolls up. Seems they always have to pull right up behind and I know they have no idea how close they are. No way they can judge distance when they can't see my rear bumper.

Porsche9 04-13-2015 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antny (Post 444777)
Maybe it is the motorcyclist in me. I never if avoidable drive in anyones blinds spot or next to ever. I always try to be in front of traffic if at all possible.

Same here. On the bike I hit the carpool lane for safety. Unfortunately I can't alwa do that in the Boxster.

KRAM36 04-13-2015 02:49 PM

What are you guys talking about? There's no crazy drivers out there. :eek:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KugIx3ycBng?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Nine8Six 04-13-2015 04:37 PM

^ OMG!!!

Choppers, fighter jets, lightning, flying debris, electrical cablings.....geeez man that got to be the most dangerous place to drive on planet earth

NewArt 04-13-2015 05:06 PM

In Canada DRLs (daytime running lights) have been the law for decades. I don't understand, in light of positive research, why this is not adopted everywhere. What's the downside?

KRAM36 04-13-2015 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewArt (Post 444832)
In Canada DRLs (daytime running lights) have been the law for decades. I don't understand, in light of positive research, why this is not adopted everywhere. What's the downside?

I think DRL is the bomb, very important feature. That's why I want these headlights, but everyone says the quality on them is terrible.

http://i58.tinypic.com/i1zfgx.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/attachmen...s-img_0372.jpg

litespeedp 04-14-2015 12:36 AM

This one of the best posts I have seen addressing the points needed to save our cars and lives.

As the owner of a silver Box, I ditto everyone who avoids blind spots and uses their headlights at all times.

Treat every large vehicle as if it was a large truck.

I'm constantly repositioning myself in traffic.

kk2002s 04-14-2015 03:42 AM

My wife just can't get it through her head why I speed a bit on the hwy. I tell her over and over, the safest place to be is in front, not jockeying with everyone going 65-70
I have never raced but have watched racing my entire life, the driver leading the race is the least likely to get hit
I don't feel small in the car driving. The only time I really feel vulnerable and small is riding next to a tractor trailer with the top down and I'm look up at the top of their tires @ 75 mph. Looking at the car in the driveway, top down, next to another car/suv, it really is low

Deserion 04-14-2015 05:41 AM

It's funny, that I used to have a bright red Volkswagen Beetle (a 2005 convertible) and people would mysteriously "not see me" all the damn time. With DRLs on, too. :confused:

I've had fewer issues my Boxster and E320, thankfully, even though I don't have DRLs in either and both cars are gray.

Nine8Six 04-14-2015 08:32 AM

^ loll we get this a lot here too...

If you don't drive a shinny 2014(min)model you almost get run over at the first junction. Headlights on or off :D

and... flashing back your high beams makes the situation worst in most case lolll



Quote:

Originally Posted by KRAM36 (Post 444850)
I think DRL is the bomb, very important feature. That's why I want these headlights, but everyone says the quality on them is terrible.

Those lights are sort of allright. Not as good as the oem/bosch of course, but could work for a few years if taken good care of. Problem is the high cost... possibly because few got manufactured I have no idea. Those are seriously not cheap loll

If that's your style, whatever ppl say about them the good news is there are ways to open them up and fix them to your liking (whatever should go wrong). Good friend Paticlewave knows how ;)

I'd wait until they drop between $750~800. I wouldn't pay more personally (ama cheap arse huh)

paulofto 04-14-2015 08:48 AM

Silver Camoflage against grey concrete road
 
Silver car owner here. It's true, sometimes we just blend in with the road. DRL's help but the tricks have all been outlined. Stay clear of blind spots, avoid being besides tractor/trailer rigs, and assume everyone is out to get you.

As an aside, back in the late 70's (yes I am old) I had a Fial X 1/9 (loved the car BTW) and we were traveling on the hwy between Edmonton and Calgary when a semi trailer beside us blew a tire. Although we didn't get hit with any flying tire tread, the concussion from the blast practically blew us off the road. It took all I had to keep us from heading for the ditch. My wife apparently screamed but I barely heard her since the tire erupted next to my ear and I lost my hearing for a short time. Incredible amount of kinetic energy when one of those suckers goes.

KRAM36 04-14-2015 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nine8Six (Post 444923)
Those lights are sort of allright. Not as good as the oem/bosch of course, but could work for a few years if taken good care of. Problem is the high cost... possibly because few got manufactured I have no idea. Those are seriously not cheap loll

If that's your style, whatever ppl say about them the good news is there are ways to open them up and fix them to your liking (whatever should go wrong). Good friend Paticlewave knows how ;)

I'd wait until they drop between $750~800. I wouldn't pay more personally (ama cheap arse huh)

I can get them for close to that price. I pm'ed paticlewave about modding them with your gt projectors, but have not heard back from him.

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