Air cooled for investment : LHD vs RHD
Discussion
Question: Lets say one wanted to invest in a nice aircooled Porsche as a more interesting alternative to a similar sum being sat in an ISA or on the stock market. As well as an investment, it's to be occasionally driven and enjoyed.
Aware of the cars are meant to be driven and to hell with value argument, and that values may go up or down (as with any investment), and that the ship might be well out of the port here, but my question is:-
Is LHD or RHD a significant factor here in terms of likely future values? Thinking of RS and rarer Turbo model cars.
Keen to hear people's opinions. I imagine LHD is "safer" given the potentially larger world market, but am I wrong to think that? I have no problem driving a LHD car in the UK.
Aware of the cars are meant to be driven and to hell with value argument, and that values may go up or down (as with any investment), and that the ship might be well out of the port here, but my question is:-
Is LHD or RHD a significant factor here in terms of likely future values? Thinking of RS and rarer Turbo model cars.
Keen to hear people's opinions. I imagine LHD is "safer" given the potentially larger world market, but am I wrong to think that? I have no problem driving a LHD car in the UK.
It depends on the model.
Mainstream 'classics' that will remain in the UK, will probably be favoured in RHD. And, some newer models might find favour in some overseas territories (Far East) in RHD.
However, many of the 'blue chip' collectables - especially pre-74 - and some of the sought after enthusiast cars - 964RS, 993RS - are likely to have greater global appeal in LHD.
It's also worth mentioning that most Porsches were originally designed and developed to be LHD and are actually easier and nicer to drive from the l/h seat.
Mainstream 'classics' that will remain in the UK, will probably be favoured in RHD. And, some newer models might find favour in some overseas territories (Far East) in RHD.
However, many of the 'blue chip' collectables - especially pre-74 - and some of the sought after enthusiast cars - 964RS, 993RS - are likely to have greater global appeal in LHD.
It's also worth mentioning that most Porsches were originally designed and developed to be LHD and are actually easier and nicer to drive from the l/h seat.
I'd buy LHD if as an investment personally. There is a reason why there are a lot fewer in the UK than there used to be : demand has taken them back overseas. Even LHD 2.5 Boxsters usually seem to go for daft money when they come on the market here due to overseas buyers. The counter argument is that RHD are rarer and that isn't devoid of merit, but unless you think that the classic Porsche market can grow faster in India (where frankly the roads are still for the most part hopeless) than China and Russia combined I'd say that IMHO LHD is the safer haven for your cash.
Its a common held opinion that LHD yields a larger audience, but i am not so sure its that simple.
In terms of the collectables, and we are talking RS mainly, yes the LHD market is larger but there is still a very healthy market in the uk and there are far fewer RHD models!
How many RHD 993 GT2 are their? 11 is it? EDIT....its 7!
However, values are higher in certain parts of Europe, so I agree that generally LHD is the way to go.
In terms of the collectables, and we are talking RS mainly, yes the LHD market is larger but there is still a very healthy market in the uk and there are far fewer RHD models!
How many RHD 993 GT2 are their? 11 is it? EDIT....its 7!
However, values are higher in certain parts of Europe, so I agree that generally LHD is the way to go.
Edited by mollytherocker on Sunday 17th November 09:31
mudy said:
what a depressing thread
Sorry you feel that way. I just see an investment in some air cooled Porsche as being no less valid, and rather more interesting than watching a number on a screen when you login into an ISA or stocks n' shares account. Might go up, might go down. At least you get something to drive and own. Is that so very wrong? Sure, cars are for driving, but in the specific context of an investment, that's the same as saying money's for spending. In which case, we should all cash in our investments and hit Vegas.... Isn't it less depressing to stick one's hard earned into something that you find personally interesting than something...dull?
Geneve said:
It's also worth mentioning that most Porsches were originally designed and developed to be LHD and are actually easier and nicer to drive from the l/h seat.
I'll second that, specifically for the air cooled cars. Had a LHD 3.2 and was a perfect driving position, granted overtaking was not as easy when flying solo and compared to driving a RHD car, the pedals are not offset. But you do get used to whatever you buy so don't let that hinder things too much.But, there's certainly a wider audience come resale in LHD guise.
Geneve said:
It's also worth mentioning that most Porsches were originally designed and developed to be LHD and are actually easier and nicer to drive from the l/h seat.
It's also worth mentioning that the UK Roads were originally designed and developed to be RHD and are actually easier, nicer and much SAFER to drive from the R/h seat.Whilst not an air cooled classic, when I put my LHD 968 up for sale on PH a few years ago, I had four offers to buy it unseen within three days of listing, including two from different countries in mainland Europe. It wasn't a Club Sport but a very high spec coupe with factory M030 chassis. My conclusion was that if the price and spec is right then LHD will massively increase the potential market.
BSRS said:
Geneve said:
It's also worth mentioning that most Porsches were originally designed and developed to be LHD and are actually easier and nicer to drive from the l/h seat.
It's also worth mentioning that the UK Roads were originally designed and developed to be RHD and are actually easier, nicer and much SAFER to drive from the R/h seat.WRT the ease of driving; aside from the improved driving position, the 915 gearbox for example is much more intuitive and only 5th is a slight stretch.
Geneve said:
BSRS said:
Geneve said:
It's also worth mentioning that most Porsches were originally designed and developed to be LHD and are actually easier and nicer to drive from the l/h seat.
It's also worth mentioning that the UK Roads were originally designed and developed to be RHD and are actually easier, nicer and much SAFER to drive from the R/h seat.WRT the ease of driving; aside from the improved driving position, the 915 gearbox for example is much more intuitive and only 5th is a slight stretch.
Me neither.
What an interesting thread ... 
With some cars such as the 964RS the RHD cars were different in that the RHD cars had power steering, the LHD did not. Some like this, some don't think the feel is a pure, but the question as to LHD or RHD is therefore well asked. Who now would buy such a car new without power steering ?
The far east collectors prefer RHD because they aren't allowed to buy LHD, and this is the reason why so many RHD classics have left these shores --- and often RHD cars are therefore very scarce.
As for the drive, the RHD pedals are offset to the left but I never found this a problem. Driving RHD / LHD is the same, it's only a something to get used to, but overtaking can sometimes be a little easier with an RHD car in the UK.
The market is bigger for LHD cars for the same reason -- and maybe therefore a little more buffered against individual market performance.
But, the biggest difference is that on the Continent a higher mileage is expected and therefore low mileage has less of a premium effect on the value of LHD cars.
Which is good, because the greatest crime is not using them !
With some cars such as the 964RS the RHD cars were different in that the RHD cars had power steering, the LHD did not. Some like this, some don't think the feel is a pure, but the question as to LHD or RHD is therefore well asked. Who now would buy such a car new without power steering ?
The far east collectors prefer RHD because they aren't allowed to buy LHD, and this is the reason why so many RHD classics have left these shores --- and often RHD cars are therefore very scarce.
As for the drive, the RHD pedals are offset to the left but I never found this a problem. Driving RHD / LHD is the same, it's only a something to get used to, but overtaking can sometimes be a little easier with an RHD car in the UK.
The market is bigger for LHD cars for the same reason -- and maybe therefore a little more buffered against individual market performance.
But, the biggest difference is that on the Continent a higher mileage is expected and therefore low mileage has less of a premium effect on the value of LHD cars.
Which is good, because the greatest crime is not using them !
SunDiver said:
Sorry you feel that way. I just see an investment in some air cooled Porsche as being no less valid, and rather more interesting than watching a number on a screen when you login into an ISA or stocks n' shares account. Might go up, might go down. At least you get something to drive and own. Is that so very wrong?
Sure, cars are for driving, but in the specific context of an investment, that's the same as saying money's for spending. In which case, we should all cash in our investments and hit Vegas.... Isn't it less depressing to stick one's hard earned into something that you find personally interesting than something...dull?
Agree..... Depressing Sure, cars are for driving, but in the specific context of an investment, that's the same as saying money's for spending. In which case, we should all cash in our investments and hit Vegas.... Isn't it less depressing to stick one's hard earned into something that you find personally interesting than something...dull?
There was a time people bought old 911 because they wanted one and sod the money . It was all about the car and all about the driving ...... Buying for investments .... Wrong reason to buy
hot66 said:
Agree..... Depressing
There was a time people bought old 911 because they wanted one and sod the money . It was all about the car and all about the driving ...... Buying for investments .... Wrong reason to buy
I totally get where you are coming from, but its never quite that black and white.There was a time people bought old 911 because they wanted one and sod the money . It was all about the car and all about the driving ...... Buying for investments .... Wrong reason to buy
It is perfectly possible to buy for both reasons.
SunDiver said:
OK. Apologies for imagining I could make a dull thing into an interesting thing that overlaps with a personal passion. I'll keep it to myself going forward. Certainly not my intention to annoy folks.
Absolutely no need to apologise. I thought it was a valid question, with some valid responses. What else is the Forum for? My only advice would be to be wary of buying any car as an 'investment' - I think the prices being asked of some models have gone a bit ridiculous this year. However, buy wisely, enjoy the drive (lhd or rhd) and hopefully you'll be happy.
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