new car didn't come with the "parking assistance" package...because this was a model year-end clearance, the stealership wouldn't put any of the packages on as part of the deal

i could pay them to put on the individual components that i won't, but they won't give me a "package" price and of course the cost of their parts and labor are ridiculous...in short, i can get parking sensors for about $420 installed (not painted to match the bumper color, either, which is ridiculous) and they won't do the backup camera at all unless i buy the navigation (because of the screen)...total cost for that is around $1500

so i'm considering aftermarket parking sensors at the very least (less than $20 shipped from eBay) and painting those with OEM paint to match...how dumb an idea is it? am i going to screw it up badly enough to where it looks like total crap? or just a little bit like crap? or should i be capable of doing this if i just take my time and pay attention?

and so i was also thinking about adding in a backup camera...we have a small screen in the radio (3", maybe?) that i'd love to be able to tap into, but i doubt i can and so i was thinking about one of those rearview mirrors that have the screen in them...but i've never seen them in person before and they might look crappy

thoughts? suggestions on kits?

9/2/2014 10:54:04 AM

Don't you own a compact car? Why do you need sensors?

9/2/2014 10:59:08 AM

"need" is a strong word...my wife's old car was a subcompact (toyota echo) and between that and having a (slightly) larger car that's a hatchback (the farther distance to the back windshield unnerves her a bit), she'd like sensors

they're not expensive and they don't SEEM that hard to install, so i figured i'd look into it

no one "needs" sensors...no matter how big your car is, they're not necessary...but they can be nice

[Edited on September 2, 2014 at 11:24 AM. Reason : .]

9/2/2014 11:23:40 AM

Take your time, measure 2-15 times, drill once.
Should turn out fine.

Screens have come a long way, and if you are comfortable tapping wires, a backup camera is easy.

9/2/2014 12:17:16 PM

No offense, but instead of spending a lot of time and money on a crutch like that I would suggest spending some time in a parking lot under controlled conditions and have your wife practice parking, backing up, driving in reverse, etc. A CX-5 is NOT a large vehicle by any means. Adjusting to it should be fairly easy.

9/2/2014 12:53:16 PM

Quote :

"No offense, but instead of spending a lot of time and money on a crutch like that I would suggest spending some time in a parking lot under controlled conditions and have your wife practice parking, backing up, driving in reverse, etc. A CX-5 is NOT a large vehicle by any means. Adjusting to it should be fairly easy."

do what you want, but this is true and I share the sentiments. My fiancé has learned to drive her captiva (similar heft) over a cavalier, and I believe it has helped her driving abilities.

9/2/2014 12:59:05 PM

ITT we learn TKE-Teg thinks $20 is a lot of money

9/2/2014 1:08:38 PM

Quote :

"No offense, but instead of spending a lot of time and money on a crutch like that I would suggest spending some time in a parking lot under controlled conditions and have your wife practice parking, backing up, driving in reverse, etc. A CX-5 is NOT a large vehicle by any means. Adjusting to it should be fairly easy."

i'm not offended and i get your point...and i'd be more inclined to tell my wife to just "learn to drive" if that would fly (good for you that your wife just does whatever you say!) and she had time between grad school...and teaching...and her internship...and us spending weekends/evenings fixing up the house/property we own

but $20 and an hour doesn't seem like "a lot of time and money" to me

[Edited on September 2, 2014 at 1:15 PM. Reason : ^ beat me to it]

9/2/2014 1:15:05 PM

why not just get a license plate frame sensor or camera instead of destroying your bumper?

http://www.amazon.com/EC170-09-Waterproof-Sensitive-Aluminum-Universal/dp/B00GMC8QXI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1409678096&sr=8-3&keywords=license+plate+backup+sensor

http://www.amazon.com/nVISION-60100VA-Back-Sensor-System/dp/B002XUXUTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409678096&sr=8-1&keywords=license+plate+backup+sensor

http://www.amazon.com/Abco-Tech-Waterproof-License-Camera/dp/B00AU4F74K/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1409678096&sr=8-8&keywords=license+plate+backup+sensor

http://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLCM36-3-5-Inch-Universal-Rear-view/dp/B0037WNONS/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1409678096&sr=8-14&keywords=license+plate+backup+sensor

9/2/2014 1:17:09 PM

^ if i decided to add a backup camera, i will

i would prefer not to add an external screen mounted to the dash and was wondering if the screens that are built into the rearview mirror are any good

heck, they sell backup sensors that can be put into the hitch, so i could go that route, too...but those are much more expensive and the reviews don't seem as good

i'm not THAT worried about "destroying" my bumper...i just wanted to get advice and to see if there's anything in particular i should be aware of (ie. the paint will start flecking off or something)...and then i wanted to know about painting the sensors with OEM paint so that they will match

also, it looks like you can get these electromagnetic sensors that don't require drilling at all (as long as you have easy access to the inside of the bumper, which i do): http://www.amazon.com/HAMSWAN-Electromagnetic-Parking-Sensors-Assistance/dp/B00J96WTSW/

[Edited on September 2, 2014 at 1:41 PM. Reason : EM sensors]

9/2/2014 1:36:45 PM

^ those look cool

9/2/2014 1:43:56 PM

yeah, i'm leaning toward that option...it's only $23 and since it's sold by amazon, i can return it for free if it sucks

9/2/2014 1:47:56 PM

[Edited on September 2, 2014 at 2:25 PM. Reason : that the same thing?]

9/2/2014 2:24:45 PM

really, sensors + a camera are nearly redundant; that being said, every car I've owned with such technology has both. I think the camera is a better tool.

For a camera, either get a license plate frame camera with a separate screen, or get a new HU with backup camera capabilities. Some nicer camera systems replace the rear view as well and the quality is good. Though that install seems a lot more involved since you have to take out the headliner, no?

For sensors, just get black ones and don't worry about paint (e.g. paintless sensors).

I say get a new HU with a camera. Then you can install an amp and dem 15" subs to boom boom.

[Edited on September 2, 2014 at 3:12 PM. Reason : .]

9/2/2014 3:09:42 PM

Quote :

"ITT we learn TKE-Teg thinks $20 is a lot of money "

LOL, sorry I guess I kinda mashed your initial post all together. I thought you were going to install, in addition to the sensors, a backup camera and interior display.

I guess I killed too many braincells over the wknd (either that or my inner Jew was just exposed )

9/2/2014 4:47:53 PM

^

^^ i might go that route (new HU with screen + backup camera, not the boom boom)

i'll poke around some more...the EM sensors have mixed reviews (some say it works great, others say they get set off by rain and snow)...there's probably a good reason the auto makers don't use them even though they're cheaper and easier to install

9/3/2014 7:56:38 AM