Check out TRDsparks.com for add-ons. They are an actual Toyota dealership, but they sell accessories online at huge discounts. A little tip: Check for accessories under both 2008 and 2009 xD on their site. There are a few items that mistakenly only show up under one year instead of both.

 

Hey the money you're gonna save on gas alone will far offset your payments. I put a couple of those stick on convex mirrors on my sideviews and they help the whole 'picture' if ya catch my drift. Pick em up at any auto parts store for about $3.00! Have Fun!

 

I know you already bought the car ( ), but here's something for everyone's information: a great article detailing how J.D. Power and Associates is the biggest crock of {EDIT} in the automotive industry.

It's from a website called The Truth About Cars, referencing another car blog, on one of the rare topics they agree about: J.D. is worthless, for-profit, and a big load of poop.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/aut...-right-mostly/

 

I've never had any "blind spot" issues with the XD. I've never had a problem merging lanes in traffic or parallel parking. You just get used to the car at set the side mirrors. But I was driving a friend recently and he turned and looked out the back window commenting, " your back window is really small". THis is true when you look at it as a non driver, but it hasnt't caused any driving problems for me.
BTW- my mother has a Prius. Same issue. Looking at the car, the rear window is sloped, small and has an "aesthetic" black bar that crosses the window near the bottom. THis prompted mom to get the back up camera package offered in the Prius. I don't know how useful the camera package is for her, but I find it almost useless. I gives such a wide angle that it's impossible to judge distances.

I just think that people underestimate how quickly we psychologically and visually adapt to each new envionment.

 

It's a small rear window, but it is relatively close to the driver, so the field of vision is actually pretty good. A station wagon with a window that small would be awful.

I've read about product testing with cars, and people (especially women) report feeling more comfortable in cars with smaller windows. Funny, though, how people "feel better" overall, but complain about the small windows.