Reddit mentions: The best automotive interior mirrors

Congrats! I've had my ST3 for a little over a month now and am also working on adding some small mods. Here's what I've done so far and what's coming:

• Ford emblem and ST emblem decals from TFB designs. Inexpensive vinyl overlays that are minor modifications but can greatly improve/personalize the overall look of your car IMO. Very easy to install.
  
  
• Floor mats: Findway F518 3D all weather floor mats (front and rear) and WeatherTech cargo liner for the hatch. Opted to go with Findway mats because they blend in really well with the interior of the car. Looks like carpet but they're all weather and have a lip like Husky and WeatherTech mats to contain dirt/water. Can be hosed off just like the other all weather mats and are custom fit for the interior as well. Personally I feel like the Husky and WeatherTech mats look too out of place in an ST... More like they belong in a truck or SUV. Also, Findway mats are a great deal due to the poor Canadian exchange rate. About $93 shipped to my door for front and rear set. I did go for WeatherTech in the cargo area, though, so I could eventually add their CargoTech containment system. Very similar to what I had in my VW and I found those very useful.
  
  
• Auto dimming mirror with Homelink: swapped the stock mirror with a Gentex GENK40A mirror. Not having to clip a garage remote and having an auto dimming mirror were big convenience features that I felt like should have been included with this car. Good thing the install was pretty easy to do. Just needed to buy an add a fuse kit and route the wires along the headliner down the passenger A pillar.
  
  
• Garageline accelerator pedal spacer (on its way to me): for some reason the accelerator pedal on the Focus ST sits about 1-2" further back than the brake and clutch. Makes it difficult to heel toe. This spacer solves that problem and also offers lateral adjustment if you want your accelerator pedal closer or further from the brake pedal.
  
  
• Breedt quick shift arm (on its way to me): the throws seem quite long and maybe a little vague when stock on this car, and I wanted something that would shorten and tighten it up. This shift arm offers some customizability from 25-40% throw reduction as well as moving the neutral position forward slightly from stock. I like the thought of this arm versus plates that are available from other companies because it doesn't add stress to the shifter cables since the linkage is on the same plane as stock. Looking forward to this one since obviously you handle the shifter daily so this will make the biggest impact on overall driving.
  
  Eventually I will add some tint, and maybe think about an exhaust since I don't care much for the stock tips and would like a bit sportier sound.

ok, so mine came with one of the square-er ones... like this...

https://smile.amazon.com/Shatter-proof-Tempered-Mirrors-Polaris-Commander/dp/B073FLGW7F/ref=sr_1_54?keywords=rzr+mirror&qid=1569951501&s=gateway&sr=8-54

awful. for one, they are convex so they let you see a wide area, but they also let you see a tall area, so during the day, you are stairing at yourself, and at night, you cant duck below it when someone comes up behind you with their bright-ass light bar. for 2, they are an absolute bear to adjust and dont stay in place. for 3, they dont offer a wide enough view to see things that arent directly behind you.

so i picked up one of these...
https://smile.amazon.com/Mirror-Convex-Clamp-Polaris-RZR800/dp/B01M0HAWOT/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=rzr+mirror&qid=1569951633&s=gateway&sr=8-4

got it as a gift, so its not saved in my purchase history, but they are all basically the same.

its awesome. wide enough to see what i need to, and low pro so it doesnt block my view. can lower my head if someone with bright lights is behind me.. very secure. easy to adjust if i needed to.

i took the old one and mounted it on the passanger side for the gf. that way she isnt turning around to see if people are behind us every 30 seconds causing me to remind her every 30 seconds that i have a mirror and she needs to pay attention to watching out for branches.

Get a Euro switch, allows you more options for running lights and headlights and is superior. Easy to install, too.

I have one of these and I love it, combined with blindspot mirrors on your outside rear views, it makes for a much safer driving experience. And looks neat.

And yeah, vinyl wrapping the brushed aluminum.

My tips would be to try driving a smaller or a more compact car. I find they have a better turning radius, thus are much easier to parallel park, getting into tight corners, navigating through tight spaces, etc. Also try replacing your rear view mirror with a wider one like one of these: Fit System RM011 Clip-on Wide Angle Rear View Mirror https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A0J2JO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_hYf-wbBME5VY5

I use this particular 18 inch mirror that just clips on to your existing mirror. This gives you a much bigger field of vision of what's behind you when your driving, and you can see your blindspots and everything! It just feels much more safer, thus making you feel more confident when driving..

Having a backup camera can help you alot too. I mainly use mine for parallel parking because it's sometimes hard to judge the distance between the back of my car and the front of the car behind me.

You can also try investing in brighter LED headlights for your car if you don't have them already. Or turn on your fog lights as well. I know, driving at night can be dangerous especially when it's hard to read the road signs or see the street lines, especially if your not familiar with the roads. Just remember, if its really hard to see at night and there are no cars around you, feel free to use your high beams! That's what they are there for. Just make sure you don't have them on if there is a car coming in front of you because you can seriously blind the hell out of them lol. I deliver food as part of my job so I am always driving and exploring new areas, driving at night is always much harder..

You can try this device:

https://www.amazon.com/Cellet-PH600-Holder-Adjustable-Samsung/dp/B006BIQBMQ

as for rear view mirror I personally use this (Before anyone starts talking down for a JDM product in an american car I own a 2016 9th gen Malibu myself and a former Import owner (Honda/Kia of 10 years):

https://www.amazon.com/Broadway-BW845-270mm-Convex-Mirror/dp/B0040DVL6U/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=broadway+mirror+270mm&qid=1563900718&s=gateway&sr=8-4

I personally own the extended version of that cup holder but the slimmer version is probably more suitable. The aftermarket mirror will show the whole rear window along with the rear passengers. Initially things seems a bit smaller but after a while (10 years for me) the mind gets used to it.

Like all things. Practice makes perfect.

Happy Driving.

First of all, nice job swapping IRS in to your '96

> I've had my Mustang long enough to see it go from "Oh my god, I can't see out of this thing!" to "Oh my god, it's so open and airy in here!"

I felt the same way initially with my Mustang, but then I installed this wide mirror. Works wonders on rearview visibility (just make sure to strengthen your rearview mirror's balljoint - it's a heavy mirror):


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A0J2JO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went for this one and cant go back. Here Tinted rear window (20%) as well. i even have the convex side mirrors polarized too haha

any wider is too wide, i already see both C pillars and anyone in the rear seats from the chest up. i wish they were sold a bit narrower. I did have a realllly curved one and it was way too distorted, this one is perfectly curved. (aka, almost flat)

This might be a standard feature now - and i found what i think came with my car (amazon.com) -rearview mirror reacts to the brightness of headlights in it and dims so you're blinded for only a half second while it reacts. That or rip one out of any recent modern luxury sedan at your local pick & pull.

I live in a state with the smallest penis per capita - so it has been incredibly useful for any night travel and i highly recommend it.

This mirror is excellent, and it takes 30 seconds to install. Unless there's some crazy feature you actually want out of that OEM mirror, the Broadview will be better.

Just make sure you measure the distance between your visors and pick a length that will fit between them, otherwise you won't be able to lower the visors.

Here you go: https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Rearview-Behind-Sunglasses-Monitor/dp/B004N4SDFI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503593398&sr=8-1&keywords=rear+view+glasses I can definitely recommend them for general purpose safety.

Alternatively, you can get something like this. For me, it covers my blindspots perfectly:

http://www.amazon.com/Broadway-BW849-Type-A-Convex-Mirror/dp/B0040E1HJA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1397021065&sr=8-3&keywords=broadway+mirror+convex

I don't remember if it's a 360mm or a 400mm, but it's a convex Broadway mirror that I bought from Super Autobacs a few years ago. I found a vendor on Amazon for ya!

Hi! First i want to say thank you!

I'm a Venezuela based artist, living here is hard since there is an economic crisis. Anyway, I have a friend, his father died two days ago, and he is kind of suicidal. I would like to buy him a graphic drawing tablet because he is a good artist too, and I can afford living in this country with my current job, i just want to help him raising money, since he will need it from now on.

https://www.amazon.com/Inspiroy-H640P-Graphics-Battery-Free-Sensitivity/dp/B075T6MTJX/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=huion&qid=1555854860&s=gateway&sr=8-4

And if it is within your heart, i would like a panoramic rear view mirror for my car, since i'm blinded of one eye and it would help a lot while driving.

https://www.amazon.com/Yoolight-Rearview-Universal-Interior-Panoramic/dp/B076CM3F49/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=panoramic+rear+view&qid=1555855522&s=gateway&sr=8-6

No need to pay the shipment to Venezuela, you can send them to miami and i can pay the shipment from miami to Venezuela since it would be more expensive for you.

You can just wear some of these super cool shades

I googled the part number from that page and found the mirror on Amazon for $19.91 shipped.

Then I tried a local dealership and (assuming some trim details) found it for $19.48 list, $15.20 internet price. The dealer is probably the best option.

If you want an easy way to increase your situational awareness, spend $9 on a clip-on wide-angle mirror.

If you want to be more hardcore, spend $19 on a 5-panel mirror, which doesn't distort distances.

It looks like a Broadway mirror which you clip on to your existing mirror. Pretty much let's you see more out the back.
Link

This rally-style mirror is too awesome to not use

If you don't have electronics in your mirror like a compass or home link buttons I would recommend you consider this:

http://smile.amazon.com/Broadway-Tint-Mirror-240mm-Convex/dp/B003VL93YE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

The convex takes a little getting used to but is worth it. Just measure your mirror and get the appropriate size.

Buy a panoramic mirror and clip it on.

Here's a 11.75-inch version.

Here's the 17.75 inch version.

They'll take some getting used to, but once you do, you can see infinitely more behind you and to your left and right. I credit these mirrors with saving my life more than 10 actual times in all weather conditions. I won't drive any car without one now.

Also these are awesome. They clip over your normal rear view mirror and allow you to see a far bigger angle, minimizing or eliminating blind spots.

A Panoramic Rear View Mirror will change your life. And probably save others. I don't know how I drove backwards without one.

Yes there is, but hooboy is it expensive! https://www.amazon.com/GENK3345S-Definition-Display-Compass-Homelink/dp/B00ARDBD1K


You can also consider a Garmin BC30 backup camera and compatible Garmin GPS. Automatically shows the backup camera feed on the GPS when you shift into reverse. Expensive but still less expensive than the option above. And it's wireless, so easier to install.

Or you can pick up a cheap display screen off amazon for less than $50 and mount it on the dash somewhere.

How fucking ancient is your car that you don't have a $10 part like this? It's not even electronic. Does your car have manual windows and locks, too? Jesus, if it does then you're probably driving your future coffin.

Fender mirrors: Probably chrome on a silver. If you have stock bumpers, it's really a toss up, either would look good.

I was thinkin about a wink mirror too, but have this in my amazon cart right now.... My thought is that i'd still have usable sun visors, and wouldn't have to drill into anything. http://www.amazon.com/Broadway-Aluminum-Plating-Mirror-Convex/dp/B0082FA9II

One thing you didn't mention that might be worth considering is one of those big, police style rear view mirrors:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A0J2JO/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687622&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0015FYQ90&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1B3CNP4PMY6P8XDX2YQE

I've not tested one of these but it sounds worth at least considering given the circumstances you describe.

Not sure if you're still interested or not, but I ended up going with this product as a clip-on mirror attachment and couldn't be happier!

Broadway BW845 270mm Type-A Convex Mirror

When I took the road test many years ago, the car I was driving had a giant panoramic rear view mirror, like this. Since I could see everything in the back and side of the car, I didn't do a textbook head check when doing the lane change test. Apparently, this was reason for minus points. Lesson: turn your head.

iJDMTOY Universal Fit JDM 300mm 12" Wide Curve Clip On Rear View Mirror For Car SUV Van Truck, etc https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWNVAPW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_uS4zzbP5MY7AT

These look like legit sunglasses.

Broadway BW849 360mm Type-A Convex Mirror https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040E1HJA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vc3sDb1ATQQAJ I have this in my FJ and my race car. Works well.

https://www.amazon.com/Fit-System-RM011-Clip-Mirror/dp/B001A0J2JO

There's an example. It's nice, especially in full speed traffic on the freeway and you're worried the asshole in front of you is going to brake check you the moment you turn your head.

No way I'll give up my rally mirror. I suggest everyone get one, they're cheap and really increase visibility.

I don't have many blind spots in my MKIV, but I have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040DVL6U/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_lPWLub0Z9V10E

I hardly ever have to turn my head back.

Just get some rear view glasses.

https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Rearview-Behind-Sunglasses-Monitor/dp/B004N4SDFI

They should get a full-length rear-view mirror.

I wear these so I know when to alt tab

https://www.amazon.ca/Mirror-Rearview-Behind-Sunglasses-Monitor/dp/B004N4SDFI

I recommend getting a wide angle rear view mirror. It's physically about twice as wide as a standard mirror, and it lets you see out of your side windows through your central mirror. The remaining blind spots are very small.

e.g.

https://www.amazon.com/Fit-System-RM011-Clip-Mirror/dp/B001A0J2JO/

Not usually.

In NY state I have a restriction on my drivers license that says I have to be wearing my hearing aides or have a full length rear-view mirror (or blind-spot mirror).

When I first started driving I had one. I used to get reminded of it all the time because passengers would not realize and hit their head on it while getting in to my hatchback. It's really not a bad thing to have regardless of hearing impairment or not, you can see everything behind you.

I have experienced many collisions with cars as a cyclist. Sometimes I have been nice and "let them off with a warning" so to speak. I have always ended up wishing I could hold those drivers accountable for my losses later, when the adrenaline wore off and I was feeling less charitable. You say your back wheel is rolling fine, but unless it's exactly as straight as it was before, you have experienced a loss. Your wheels, and your knees, only have so many hits in them. My advice if you experience a collision with a car:

Don't make any promises or definitive statements while under the effects of adrenaline. Qualify anything you say with vague statements about doctors or lawyars. Lawyers? Yawlerws? My spellcheck's busted. Damn noscript probably.

Definitely make them stop exactly where they are, put the car in park, and turn off the engine. If they don't do this when you tell them to, cut their tires to prevent hit-and-run with your handy carry knife. If you even let them pull off the road, they might just drive away and leave you holding the bill for your wheels, legs, frame, spine, helmet, and skull. You're allowed to use reasonable force to detain them while you gather their information or wait for police to verify their insurance status.

Once you have their driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance card in your hand, let them drive off the road. Car people behind them are probably honking mad by now. How dare you inconvenience a car person! Car people are very important.

If they have those documents and everything looks legit, continue on your errand and call their insurance company at a time convenient for you. The driver will probably use this as a lesson to drive safer i.e. actually come to a stop where required, so they won't immediately need those documents. You can retain them for now.

If they are missing any of those documents, call the police (non-emergency) and get the driver checked for warrants and their insurance verified by a cop.

> But I wasn't prepared with the exact right words as I was all adrenaline and no brains. What should I have said?

It helps to have a script. I'm so used to yelling “you too” it's just instinct now. Your line after you drop your bike right in front of their car and walk up to the driver's window is “Put the car in park, please. Turn off the ignition. Put the car in park, please. Give me your license, turn off the ignition right now, please. Give me your license, your registration, and your insurance card.” If you have to repeat that more than a couple of times, start cutting rubber. In the comic book version, you'd already have your giant wrench you carry everywhere in your other hand and you'd be breaking glass too. In real life, I don't know how you'll feel telling a jury you were forced to dent every body panel and break every window and light on car, in order to prevent hit and run, because you felt threatened. We can dream, anyway. Cutting their tires actually makes them stop though, so that's clear cut self defense.

Ask them if they're still living at the address listed on the license, like a cop does. It freaks them out. Be wearing rear view aviators and a construction vest and be chewing gum for maximum effect.

And as always, if you feel threatened, do whatever you have to do to defend yourself. The roads should be a safe space.