Could you own a left hand drive car?

[rjfp1962]

This will obviously be more of a question to those who live in countries that drive on the left!

For me, been a UK driver since 1979 and having driven a few over the years in my work, only right hand drive here! Over to you..

[GetCarter]

Have done. It's not a problem.

[Jasandjules]

Well I have driven my car in Spain, France, Portugal etc on the "wrong" side. So I guess sure I could...

[Magnum 475]

Have done, twice.

In has compromises. Car park ticket barriers are a problem. Single carriageway overtakes are also a problem.

I probably won’t do it again unless I move to the EU, as there’s nothing much that I’d really like that’s not available in RHD.

[vaud]

If my driving was 50% in Europe then yes.

You could have some putting an inflatable comedy driver in the right hand seat “driving” a kids play steering wheel…

[kambites]

I did for a short while and utterly hated it. So no, there's no way I'd own another in the UK (or a RHD car in continental Europe for that matter).

[jeremyc]

I'm on my second - never been an issue.

Both have been manuals as well.

[CSR Performance]

I've had 2. No issues whatsoever.

[Magooagain]

I have a couple of each and drive them all on the right. No problems.

[K87]

I had a LHD Volvo on loan with a diesel Audi engine.

It was a pain and especially difficult overtaking and parking in multi storey car parks.

[GetCarter]

K87 said:

It was a pain and especially difficult overtaking and parking in multi storey car parks.

It's a tough life.

[Warhavernet]

For 6 years or so, no probs, in fact driving a LHD I haven't scraped my alloys once, drive on the left, park on the left and seated on the left gives a better view of the curb.
If you're on your own the only bugger is Drive Thrus and toll booths.

[AlBondigaz]

I've owned LHD cars in the UK for twenty out the forty years I've been driving.

Started with a LHD 67 VW Beetle coz it was cheap, then went back to RHD until a nice LHD 911 came along.

A German import 1990's E Class Merc Cabrio for a few years, then moved to Spain and bought a new LHD E Class Estate, brought it back the UK a couple of years later and drove it for another 13 years and 220,000 miles here before I sold it.

I'm now on my second LHD Motorhome though I do more miles on the mainland in it than here.

I prefer LHD, most European cars feel internally more ergonomic as the home market version, especially noticeable with Mercedes.

[Bogsye]

Yes - I owned a 986 Boxster in the early 2000’s. It was fine and being a relatively narrow car helped for overtaking and also at ticket barriers.

[Castrol for a knave]

I find driving rhd on continent no problem, so just the reverse of that.

I did look at a couple of Integrales and being lhd didn't bother me.


Car park barriers will be a total shag though

[SuperPav]

For a daily no chance, too difficult for overtakes and barriers. Fine for occasional use, driven enough of them for work etc. but wouldn’t put up with it unless it was something special that warranted the compromise.


For a fun car, no problem whatsoever. I’ve got one and it makes no difference to me what side the steering wheel is on. It’s about 1.2m wide so I suppose that helps!


To be fair usually LHD cars aren’t any cheaper as U.K. generally has one of the cheapest used car markets in the world and so any LHD cars don’t tend to end up here…

[CRA1G]

Didn't have a choice as i wanted a BMW Z8..and they were only manufacturered in LHD and Manual. I used it as a daily for a while,with no problem but i wouldn't say i totally enjoyed the overall daily experience, definitely kept me more focused when driving it. In hindsight shouldn't have sold it as it would have been worth at least £100K + more today.

[Skyedriver]

BMW E30 M3 Cecotto in the late 1990's, 2000's
Volvo 780 for about 6 months last year.
Should never have sold either car, damn! Stupid me. I'd love either car back.

When trying to insure the 780, I had a few problems, getting asked if I'd ever driven LHD before.

[Unreal]

Not owned one before but I now that I am overseas more I am looking forward to getting a lhd classic.

'm sure I'd find it irritating to own one in this country. Funnily enough rhd on lh roads is mostly fine but that's only been short term.

[TrevorHill]

Warhavernet said:

For 6 years or so, no probs, in fact driving a LHD I haven't scraped my alloys once, drive on the left, park on the left and seated on the left gives a better view of the curb.
If you're on your own the only bugger is Drive Thrus and toll booths.

Exactly this. I’ve never had an issue.