Nissan 370Z Forum - Is it me or it is really hard to judge the distance?

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- - Is it me or it is really hard to judge the distance? (http://www.the370z.com/nissan-370z-general-discussions/57182-me-really-hard-judge-distance.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOHN (Post 1802837)

Our cars are short as is. Don't feel you have to pull up as far. Figure it out before you get a lip kit or so.

I already explained on my other post but allow me to explain a little more. For some reason some of the parking spaces in this city is a lil messed up. They are 3/4 of the length of an actual parking space.

Most sedans will park over the concrete block so they are well within the lines, but with the shorter space and a feet or two from the block my car sticks out like a sore thumb. So i have no choice but to park a lil closer.. For today's case, a little too close for comfort

you can also get something called Curb Alert

reverse camera was my best investment so far. I always back in now because I know exactly how far away I am from danger

yah, rear view cameras are a must on this car especially when backing up in tight spots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apoc370z (Post 1802711)

I kept making up excuses on why it is so hard, tried to convince myself that i just need to get used to it...In the end i have to convince myself that i suck :/

Long story short: i was out to lunch and i realized that my bumper is only an inch away from the concrete block. Any further i would have crack the bumper :shakes head:

I have driven many cars with similar problems, but the Z takes the cake.

Judging distance of the nose from the parking space or wall edge is difficult for me too. I ran several test pull-ins into a parking space with a low curb (so I wouldn't hit the air dam) and found what the correct distance looks like when I'm lined up straight and looking out the side window below the mirror. With a little practice, you can get it down fairly well. If closing on a wall, use bottom edge of wall as the alignment guide as with the curb. In a lined space, use the line in front of you as the alignment guide. The car's short, so you can afford to leave a little more space than usual in front and still not stick out in the back.

That's my approach and I'm sticking with it until I hit something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EazyD (Post 1803466)

reverse camera was my best investment so far. I always back in now because I know exactly how far away I am from danger

Agreed. I am an officiall crappy parker but the camera salvages the worst of my efforts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apoc370z (Post 1802834)

I havent hit anything as of yet cause i am too careful, sometimes i will get out of the car only to see that theres 3-4 feet of room infront of me :icon14:

This is exactly how I feel when I'm parallel parking LOL. Objects in mirror are not closer than they appear, but in fact further away for me. haha

The secret: look at the reflection of your car in paint of the car next to you, I'd estimate 90% of the time the adjacent car is clean enough to see both your car's nose and the curb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachguard (Post 1806106)

The secret: look at the reflection of your car in paint of the car next to you, I'd estimate 90% of the time the adjacent car is clean enough to see both your car's nose and the curb.

That's exactly what I do whether I am going forward or in reverse. In any situation I leave about a foot of space since the car is not that long. :tiphat:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apoc370z (Post 1802853)

Pics of the bicycle you used to take the family out :D

Public transit. Haha:rofl2:

Its not a big car so pulling all the way up is like inviting a smart car to share your space. Seriously I developed the habit of leaving a yard extra in front when parking when I used to drive vettes. Nothing wrong with it when you see the size of some SUVs or pick-ups in other stalls

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachguard (Post 1806106)

The secret: look at the reflection of your car in paint of the car next to you, I'd estimate 90% of the time the adjacent car is clean enough to see both your car's nose and the curb.

I do this, but it's definitely not 90% of the time clean enough.

I have the biggest problem with backing into my garage. Its the angle of the rear window or something. I love how short our cars are, so most of the time its not an issue. I haven't pulled too far into a spot yet. :tup: