Driving LHD cars in GB

[completetangent]

(Thought this must have been discussed before, but PH Search is currently AWOL)

Just how annoying is driving a LHD car with manual gearbox here in GB? I'm finding it hard to buy a particular car here in the UK. It's more readily available in Europe in LHD form. It is a performance car, so there will be much enthusiastic stirring of the gearstick.

I've driven LHD before (although not here in GB), but my daily driver would be a RHD manual car. So I wonder how difficult it is to adapt?

I presume there are multi-car PHers who have this problem - any advice?

[MrFrodo]

I used to drive quite a few LHD cars in the UK for work. Took me a while to get used to the road positioning and overtaking can be a pain, but never had a problem with the gearbox being on the 'wrong' side.

[kambites]

Try it.

I can't stand it personally (I owned one for a brief period), but many people find it no problem whatsoever beyond the minor irritation or multi-story car park barriers. It's just a question of personal taste.

I've never found the gearbox an issue though; you pick that up in seconds.

[stevesingo]

NO issues here. The largest irritation is having to pay for parking/tolls ect through the passenger window.

[Cyder]

Drive them a lot for work and it's no problem at all apart from the times you need to lean out the window to do something as others have said.

The only other pain is overtaking when it's difficult to see around the car in front.

[PanzerCommander]

I drive an automatic LHD here in the UK and have no problems with it whatsoever, in over 3.5 years I have never (genuinely) thought "I wish it was RHD" I did test drive a Manual Mustang GT and had no problems, even considering on the test drive I had never driven a LHD car of any description before.

Some seem to find LHD cars the most ardious thing in the world - I can't see why personally and some comment and say its bad having never driven one.

The only way to try it is to have a go yourself, oddly I only ever reached for the door handle rather than the handbrake on the test drive of my current car - I didn't and haven't done it since buying it.

[onyx39]

the mrs brought me a track day about 10 years ago at Thruxton.
The final car of the day was a F355, fantastic car, but imagine my dissapointment in having to learn to change gear with a Ferrari "Gate" (think that's what they call it) using my right hand... kind of detracted from the experience to be honest.

[iguana]

Lots of folks have no issues, in the '90s it was the best way to get a performance car bargain, but I'm not a fan, driven many many lefties here but just never feels natural, autos are far easier & I usually detest autos.

[RLK500]

Not a problem at all. Evene the overtaking issue is over done, good road positioning and observation is all that is required. As for tolls, if you leave in the SE and use the Dartford Tunnel, get a Dart Tag, no more fishing for coins, just drive straight through and it's cheaper. Personally, I prefer it to RHD, just feels more natural.

[sleep envy]

no problem at all having owned 3 LHD cars in the UK just as long as the passenger door has an electric window

[markmullen]

I actually like it, silly things like when you pull up at the side of the road you're on the path, not dancing in amongst the traffic.

I wouldn't want something slow and LHD but a LHD performance car is no issue, you look down the inside through corners (something people seem to ignore in RHD cars) and hold back a little further on straights to get a sightline for overtaking.

A childs grabby toy slipped down the back of the passenger seat makes taking parking tickets much easier, drive through McDonalds and the like are done in reverse to save the risk of chucking your drink across the passenger seat as you lean over.

You soon get used to positioning.

[HaylingJag]

is it just me or does driving a LHD make the bonnet seem huuuuge? even on a holiday hire hack super mini!!

D

[sleep envy]

markmullen said:

I actually like it, silly things like when you pull up at the side of the road you're on the path, not dancing in amongst the traffic.

I wouldn't want something slow and LHD but a LHD performance car is no issue, you look down the inside through corners (something people seem to ignore in RHD cars) and hold back a little further on straights to get a sightline for overtaking.

A childs grabby toy slipped down the back of the passenger seat makes taking parking tickets much easier, drive through McDonalds and the like are done in reverse to save the risk of chucking your drink across the passenger seat as you lean over.

You soon get used to positioning.

you forgot about kerb crawling

[blueheron]

markmullen said:

A childs grabby toy slipped down the back of the passenger seat makes taking parking tickets much easier, drive through McDonalds and the like are done in reverse to save the risk of chucking your drink across the passenger seat as you lean over.

Do you not get odd looks reversing down the McDonalds drive thru lane?

[markmullen]

sleep envy said:

you forgot about kerb crawling

Well yes, there is that, although that does mean you putting the poor young lady at risk nipping around to the far door, possibly dangerous in heels in the current slippery conditions.

[jamoor]

markmullen said:

Well yes, there is that, although that does mean you putting the poor young lady at risk nipping around to the far door, possibly dangerous in heels in the current slippery conditions.

you're making an assumption there

[markmullen]

blueheron said:

Do you not get odd looks reversing down the McDonalds drive thru lane?

Absolutely, particularly the time I happened to be joined by a LHD Supra who saw what I was doing and did the same, I must admit it must look a little odd.

[sleep envy]

markmullen said:

sleep envy said:

you forgot about kerb crawling

Well yes, there is that, although that does mean you putting the poor young lady at risk nipping around to the far door, possibly dangerous in heels in the current slippery conditions.

Who's paying?

[Captain Muppet]

markmullen said:

sleep envy said:

you forgot about kerb crawling

Well yes, there is that, although that does mean you putting the poor young lady at risk nipping around to the far door, possibly dangerous in heels in the current slippery conditions.

Hookers go in the boot.

[markmullen]

sleep envy said:

Who's paying?

Er, I think you might have misunderstood the usual commercial arrangement in such transactions, if they're paying you, well, er, good luck with big bubba.