LHD cars on UK roads

[Deleted]

Right so to cut a long story short, I've got my sights set on a car I want but it's only made in left-hand drive, so I was wondering what the immediate and also the subtle problems with it are with regards to driving it daily etc?

[Kieran]

No major problems really. Toll booths / parking barriers can be a pain. Other than that the obvious overtaking manoeuvre 'I'm going out blind' risks

[Woofwoof]

Nov 15, 2014 0:02:20 GMT Kieran said:

No major problems really. Toll booths / parking barriers can be a pain. Other than that the obvious overtaking manoeuvre 'I'm going out blind' risks

This^^^ They can be a pain in the ar5e especially on B roads. But hell if you want the car and it's only available as left hooker go for it. 

[Deleted]

Things like that don't bother me so it'd be all good! Was unaware there were not any major problems, thanks!

[mikehamid]

Insurance can be a pain in the sometimes too. But certain specialist brokers should sort you out. Otherwise, it's just minor problems like overtaking and toll booths as stated above.

[106e30]

I hope those sights are set on E30 M3

[dazcapri]

I had a LHD Capri for a while apart from the already mentioned overtaking etc,the main problem I had was you will keep getting in the wrong door.I lost count the amount of times in the first couple of weeks of that I climbed into the right hand side and then had to walk,red faced,round to the side with wheel.I sold it to a mate and he did the same thing for the first couple of weeks.

[steveo3002]

ive ran a lhd golf for 15 years , insurance is about the same as rhd and has been cheaper at times

just car parks and be carefull not to get trapped up tight behind a stopped bus or lorry , most cases you can just lean over anyway , and for overtaking you can usualy see down the other side of the car or through its glass

might need to order some of your parts off the internet /special order but thats no biggie

go for it - its no bother at all really

[bazzateer]

Make sure the headlamps are replaced with UK spec and you're good to go. go on then, what car is it?

[drdick]

I just used to reverse through car park tolls, drive-thrus etc in my Camaro..........

[sweep]

Integrale!

[Rob M]

Nov 15, 2014 10:35:11 GMT sweep said:

Integrale!

With two Renaults already on the fleet, I suspect that it could be a lil old Twingo........

[loudandproud205]

Don't forget the punching the door card when you go to change gear as you forget, much like getting in the wrong side.

[grizz]

No problems using it.

Even my truck which is large is a pleasure.

[jules1200]

The two cars I tend to drive most are this



And this



both lhd.
It's a doddle, loads of people will try to put you off, usually the ones who have never driven one. Once you have done half an hour in it, you will wonder what the fuss is all about.
If its a manual, you WILL once in a while, though, go to change gear & almost open the drivers door from the inside :0

[baggabones]

No probs...I had a lhd split camper for a good few years. Some left turn junctions can be a problem (especially in a panel van) but I just used to slide over the bench seat to get a view also at 1st you WILL look an idiot at the petrol station when you get in the wrong side!

[Deleted]

That's all good, thanks everyone!

[tarmacadam]

Spill the beans then what is it , I've driven loads of Lhd's over hear nothing to much to worrie about you just have to double check every move just takes time but you get used to it all I can say is it feels very strange to me anyway lol but good fun at same time I say just go for it ow and what is it !!!

[Deleted]

Nov 15, 2014 21:12:40 GMT tarmacadam said:

Spill the beans then what is it , I've driven loads of Lhd's over hear nothing to much to worrie about you just have to double check every move just takes time but you get used to it all I can say is it feels very strange to me anyway lol but good fun at same time I say just go for it ow and what is it !!!

That would be far too easy if I just said I've got my sights set for it, but I've got to be rid of some other stuff first haha. 

[scmick]

Other than the issue with toll booths & car parks I never found LHD cars a problem. Used a LHD IMCA 1000 as my daily for years then a LHd MATRA-SIMCA Bagheera. The SIMCA 1000 was so narrow, it wasn't really at a disadvantage when seeing round things to overtake. They were great for my trips on the continent too. I did have the embarassment of getting in the wrong side of the 1000 a few times as I had a RHD one at the same time too.