Is the right mirror an option?

[bleckywelcky]

Just wondering something, I ran across a 1996 Dodge Neon, and I noticed that the right mirror was gone. However, it did not look as if it had been knocked off or anything. Upon closer inspection, the location where the mirror had been on the right side had a finished look to it. There was a panel in the shape of the area where the mirror attached, and it matched the car in color, design, and whatnot and did not look out of place. These were manual mirrors, so I checked the inside too, but there was no lever to move the (pre-existing) mirror around. The inside had a similar matching panel that fit the area perfectly as well. If the mirror had been knocked off, I would think that the person would spend the minimum amount of money to get it sealed off, ie just put some sort of cover on the outside, but leave the inside alone since it doesn't matter. However, the car was an extremely basic model, no power anything, hardly anything adjustable, just two doors, the basic engine, nothing fancy. So, I was wondering if perhaps the right mirror was an option on very basic cars that would allow someone to chop $100 or so off the price of their car if they just need the cheapest thing that will get them from point A to point B. Or, anyone versed in car laws from 1996?

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[Hayabusa Rider]

AFAIK
That mirror is not optional.
Weird

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I don't think so.... sounds like he tried to rice it out.

 

[iamwiz82]

they were an option early on in the neon.

 

[Evadman]

That mirror is an option. Well, ok, maybe too strong a word. It is not illegal to remove. I kinda doubt it came from the factory like that. It was probably removed.

 

[CraigRT]

hm, never noticed if some 95-99 neons didn't have side mirrors... i'd assume they are there.. my friend has a 95 and it has both mirrors.

try looking at:

www.neons.org

 

[iamwiz82]

Given its modest price, you wouldn't expect a Base Neon to offer much more than minimal equipment. It doesn't. Even a radio is extra; so are a second outside rearview mirror and air conditioning, both considered essential by many buyers. But adding them won't break the bank.

link

 

[bleckywelcky]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Given its modest price, you wouldn't expect a Base Neon to offer much more than minimal equipment. It doesn't. Even a radio is extra; so are a second outside rearview mirror and air conditioning, both considered essential by many buyers. But adding them won't break the bank.

link

Interesting, guess that answers the question simply enough.

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[loup garou]

Yeah I've noticed that before on 90s Neons, as well as Tercels and other inexpensive cars.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

AFAIK the only mirror required by law (in TX anyway) is the driver side mirror. No passenger/rear mirror is required.

 

[cjchaps]

My first car which was a 1981 Honda Accord didn't have a passenger side mirror either.

 

[CrashX]

I am pretty sure US DOT regulation requires a MINIMUM of two mirrors. That's either a drivers side mirror and a rearview mirror OR a drivers side mirror and a passenger side mirror.

That's why commercial vehicles with no read view do not have a rear view mirrow but two side mirrors. Same applies to cars. Passenger side mirror isn't required as long as they have the other two. Many low end cars make the passenger side mirror an option. Pretty cheap.

 

[snooker]

Right side mirrors are not required, though most automakers do include them on the vehicle.

An exception is if you tow a boat, trailer etc... and could not see through the rearview mirror. Then by law I think it needs mirrors on both sides. I may be wrong but do not think so.

 

[deerslayer]

My friends old Mercury Lynx had no passenger side mirror. I believe it was an option.

 

[morkinva]

My cousin had a thing on his license that says "right side mirror required" because he's blind in one eye; so in PA it is 'optional'

 

[rayma2]

lots of smaller cars dont have right side mirrors...

 

[Mookow]

Where I live a passenger side mirror is optional, I drove a beat to sh!t Tempo w/o one.

 

[0roo0roo]

i remember for a while certain car companies would try to cheap out and drop the mirror. kinda sad really. they dont' seem to do it anymore though. bad idea no matter what, safety and just perception wise. doesn't leave the buyer with a good impression

 

[morkinva]

You're supposed to turn your head if you're changing to the right lane, whether you have a mirror or not -- aren't you? I must admit I don't always turn my head.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I've noticed that most of the cars I've seen with that as an 'option', were imports. I would believe that the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Highway Patrol could tell you about whether or not it's illegal not to have one. Just because cars don't have them doesn't mean it's not a law that hasn't been enforced.

 

[MajesticMoose]

i don't have one and my brother's 2nd car didn't have one. I don't really need one and it makes the car that much skinnier.

 

[AUMM]

Originally posted by: cjchaps
My first car which was a 1981 Honda Accord didn't have a passenger side mirror either.

yep, my ollllld 86 accord didnt come with a passenger side mirror either

 

[Citation]

My Chevette didn't have a right side mirror. I doubt not having one is illegal, but I think now a days pretty much everything has them.

 

[ObiDon]

I don't think I could ever drive a car with no passenger-side mirror. It drives me nuts just to be a passenger in one!

 

[slycat]

its optional.
i had a 92 honda civic DX hatchback.
No passenger side mirror.