"Classics" - LHD or RHD?
Discussion
Apologies if its been done before but I wondered what views were out there regarding this on two levels.
1. Driving/living with a LHD car in the UK
i.e.: Difficulties street parking, car-park barrier machines (although I wouldn't take such a car into one myself), overtaking, insurance, etc. ...
and...
2. Resale values
i.e.: I regularly hear two opinions: the RHD market is so much smaller compared to the global LHD market so when you sell there's more people interested. And, RHD are lower production run so will be worth more...
Thoughts from those who know appreciated?
1. Driving/living with a LHD car in the UK
i.e.: Difficulties street parking, car-park barrier machines (although I wouldn't take such a car into one myself), overtaking, insurance, etc. ...
and...
2. Resale values
i.e.: I regularly hear two opinions: the RHD market is so much smaller compared to the global LHD market so when you sell there's more people interested. And, RHD are lower production run so will be worth more...
Thoughts from those who know appreciated?
1. I've done this for many years in various cars and it's no problem. Over the years, I've driven both, on both types of road, in roughly equal measure.
My dd is rhd and my 308 is lhd. I'd say you tend to drive more safely with lhd on rhd roads. You're much more aware of looking for long sight lines and generally I find I'm driving in less of an "automatic" mode. You end up experiencing more about the car and your syrroundings in a wierd way. Italian cars just seem better in lhd. The pedal and dash ergonomics were designed that way. For me, a gear stick seems correct in the right hand.
2. Who cares, really
More LHD produced but also proportinately more worldwide demand for them. It evens out.
My dd is rhd and my 308 is lhd. I'd say you tend to drive more safely with lhd on rhd roads. You're much more aware of looking for long sight lines and generally I find I'm driving in less of an "automatic" mode. You end up experiencing more about the car and your syrroundings in a wierd way. Italian cars just seem better in lhd. The pedal and dash ergonomics were designed that way. For me, a gear stick seems correct in the right hand.
2. Who cares, really
More LHD produced but also proportinately more worldwide demand for them. It evens out.Given the weaker Euro I find this topic very interesting. As am looking to buy a Ferrari from Europe in Summer. A LHD Ferrari is better than no Ferrari.
What changes would you need to make to a LHD drive car that you imported into the UK? I.e. Would you need to adjust the lights or speedo?
What changes would you need to make to a LHD drive car that you imported into the UK? I.e. Would you need to adjust the lights or speedo?
355Chris355 said:
Given the weaker Euro I find this topic very interesting. As am looking to buy a Ferrari from Europe in Summer. A LHD Ferrari is better than no Ferrari.
What changes would you need to make to a LHD drive car that you imported into the UK? I.e. Would you need to adjust the lights or speedo?
Thanks for comments so far...What changes would you need to make to a LHD drive car that you imported into the UK? I.e. Would you need to adjust the lights or speedo?
AFAIK: Change the lights, ensure it has a rear fog light (most non-vintage do), miles speedo isn't an MOT requirement so change if you want to. I plan to put small speed indicator stickers on at 30-50, etc. - don't want to alter how it came out of the factory, especially as it'll probably end up abroad again one day. Did I miss anything I wonder
?Try a LHD the. Decide. I have 2 LHD at the moment. My GTO bodied 308 because GTOs are all LHD and I use it for euro trips and my 355 challenge as it's a race car and it doesn't really make a difference.
Basically if you can drive, you won't find it a problem, epsecially on limited mileage. Yes on a country road you need to pop out to see if it's clear to overtake, or have a trusted passenger/walkie talkie with a car ahead.
Basically if you can drive, you won't find it a problem, epsecially on limited mileage. Yes on a country road you need to pop out to see if it's clear to overtake, or have a trusted passenger/walkie talkie with a car ahead.
Not going to speak about values but what I can help with is what to do once your new toy hits UK shores. I've just completed the import of a 430 Scuderia from France so have lived the highs and low's first hand.
You can either :
A) Pull of the paper work together yourself (including paying £600 for the COC from Ferrari - I managed to swerve that one getting the dealer to request it for me), MOT the car and then complete the check list of items for the DVLA and send it with your fee's for first registration and road tax. Then, send off (registered of course / with prep paid register for the return) and wait... ... wait for the faceless paper pushers to not even bother to look further than the first page of you documents, think you haven't included what they've asked for (when clearly you have) and receive everything back in the post. Then once having gone through the reams of paper work highlighting the 10+ entries showing the first registration date that was there all along they will you can send to DVLA once again (same costs) and wait... ...wait for different faceless paper pusher to reject your 'first' application (errr no it wasn't) for completely different reasons!!!!
Or, go for option
B) http://mycarimport.co.uk/
Speak to Jack (lovely bloke). He'll take your car, flatten the beam on your headlights (don't listen to numerous posts on her of people saying can’t be done you have to buy new at a cost of £5K - it can be done) add MPH to your speedo, take the car through his onsite IVA test, MOT the car, create the number plates. All for the princely sum of Circa £1400 inc VAT. The cherry on the top is that because he has IVA'd (in this case my Scuderia) and the IVA isn't bound by Co2 regulations I now only have to pay £230 per year road tax - that's right a 430 Scuderia with £230 PA tax
Dealing with the DVLA was UNBELIEVABLY TEDIOUS - my advice, save yourself time and aggravation. Give Jack a call!
Can you explain how Jack sorts out the headlights when two Ferrari main dealers said the same thing, can't be done, is not legal, etc.
If Jack is right then of course I will be asking my dealer to explain, but you've said this before and have not explained how Jack has done it.
Of course, I am assuming he didn't just swap out the lights for the test, so I'm keen to hear how it was done. Genuinely.
If Jack is right then of course I will be asking my dealer to explain, but you've said this before and have not explained how Jack has done it.
Of course, I am assuming he didn't just swap out the lights for the test, so I'm keen to hear how it was done. Genuinely.
AndrewD said:
Can you explain how Jack sorts out the headlights when two Ferrari main dealers said the same thing, can't be done, is not legal, etc.
If Jack is right then of course I will be asking my dealer to explain, but you've said this before and have not explained how Jack has done it.
Of course, I am assuming he didn't just swap out the lights for the test, so I'm keen to hear how it was done. Genuinely.
Sure... I asked about this specifically as I knew there was some interest on here.If Jack is right then of course I will be asking my dealer to explain, but you've said this before and have not explained how Jack has done it.
Of course, I am assuming he didn't just swap out the lights for the test, so I'm keen to hear how it was done. Genuinely.
He said remove the front wheels and the front wheel arch liners and you can get to the back of the head lights. For each light there is a switch you can throw that flattens the beam removing the off side kick up. Your dealer may be commenting on being able to switch from left to right kick up (unsure) but absolutely 100% my head lights are now flat / UK compliant / pass MOT and didn't cost me many £1000's to do...
Hope that helps sir.
AMG Merc said:
Interesting, thanks. I think The CoC is with the papers so one less thing to worry about. It's a 512TR so the lights are simple swap-outs I think (pop-ups with old style round light pods). I din't realise the reg costs were so high though - oh well.
Registration actually only costs £55 so no bad thing. If you go IVA you don't need the CoC as it's done on an individual car basis. When I did submit my copy of the CoC to DVLA they said they didn't accept copies, well Ferrari only provide copies so now what - Oh you need to go to the owners club and substantiate some of the info from there. This was the same info all over the paper work from Ferrari Paris!DVLA service has definitely gone down hill since the closure of all regional offices. Sure If I'd have gone in person and spoken to someone it could have been a far easier experience...
Slickhillsy said:
AndrewD said:
Can you explain how Jack sorts out the headlights when two Ferrari main dealers said the same thing, can't be done, is not legal, etc.
If Jack is right then of course I will be asking my dealer to explain, but you've said this before and have not explained how Jack has done it.
Of course, I am assuming he didn't just swap out the lights for the test, so I'm keen to hear how it was done. Genuinely.
Sure... I asked about this specifically as I knew there was some interest on here.If Jack is right then of course I will be asking my dealer to explain, but you've said this before and have not explained how Jack has done it.
Of course, I am assuming he didn't just swap out the lights for the test, so I'm keen to hear how it was done. Genuinely.
He said remove the front wheels and the front wheel arch liners and you can get to the back of the head lights. For each light there is a switch you can throw that flattens the beam removing the off side kick up. Your dealer may be commenting on being able to switch from left to right kick up (unsure) but absolutely 100% my head lights are now flat / UK compliant / pass MOT and didn't cost me many £1000's to do...
Hope that helps sir.
What did your Fez Main Dealer have to say for himself AndrewD? Would like to be a fly on the wall for that 'discussion'!
It seems that all you need to do to get a LHD car through an MOT is to fit beam deflectors and they just mark the paperwork as fitted - simples. Mine's in tomorrow so will see 
More of a pain is the DVLA - I need a form V55/5 - first UK reg - which can't be downloaded online due to some security markings. So they're sending a pack - 7-10 days
More of a pain is the DVLA - I need a form V55/5 - first UK reg - which can't be downloaded online due to some security markings. So they're sending a pack - 7-10 days
northo said:
Driving a fast LHD car in the UK is a bit of a pain - mainly because it is more difficult to overtake.
In terms of values, there really isn't much in it anymore.
Completely disagree... Sure if you are in and out of car parks then LHD means you need to get out but over taking - choose your moments and if you are in something punchy then it wont be an issue. Drove my car at the weekend and had a friend along to let him have a go, about 30 mins in to the drive he couldn't believe how much of a non issue the LHD aspect was.In terms of values, there really isn't much in it anymore.
Added benefit is when you do take it for Euro hoons tolls are easier and it's situation normal.
A compromise definitely worth dealing with considering the potential savings...
355Chris355 said:
1.4 Euros to the £!
A LHD Ferrari from Europe is now looking like an absolute bargain in comparison to the inflated UK dealer prices.
Definitely but the Euro dealers have cottoned on big time hence their prices are now on a par with the UK (they were a lot lower up to late 2014). Got mine 2 weeks ago at 1.35 (rate was at a "7-year high"). I knew it would go further but couldn't risk losing the purchase A LHD Ferrari from Europe is now looking like an absolute bargain in comparison to the inflated UK dealer prices.
Does anyone offer Finance on cars from Europe?
I.E - If I wanted to buy a LHD 355 or 430 from France, bring it back here and register it as a UK car - are there any finance options available?
Buying the car cash would be a possibility if I knew I could finance it on my return.
The way the EUR is moving, it makes it more attractive on a daily basis.
I.E - If I wanted to buy a LHD 355 or 430 from France, bring it back here and register it as a UK car - are there any finance options available?
Buying the car cash would be a possibility if I knew I could finance it on my return.
The way the EUR is moving, it makes it more attractive on a daily basis.
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