DanG Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Any views on LHD cars? There are alot running about in the UK now.... Thinking of buying a LHD as its considerably cheaper (£15,000) than a RHD car.... Any views? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 Mollox should be able to help you out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 I guess a lot would depend on how long you plan to keep it and the potential impact on resale value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I guess a lot would depend on how long you plan to keep it and the potential impact on resale value. [/ QUOTE ] Plan to keep it for 5 years probably, but then resale it in Europe I guess. Obviously I would not expect to get the same as a RHD car... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 I'm not sure I could put up with LHD on British roads, especially when you take into account how inconsiderate most British drivers are when it comes to being overtaken. At least in Europe they overtake and then pull in again (from my limited experience) Do you plan on taking it overseas much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted April 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 We have got a place in France so probably a fair bit, although the majority of time would still be in the UK... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 I imagine you would get a better deal if you purchased abroad e.g. Belgium/Holland? Not sure if you are looking to buy new or used. I've never really seen that many left hookers for sale over here, other than yank-tanks and its not something I'd ever really consider, unless I was making regular trips to the continent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo-S3 Posted April 19, 2006 Report Share Posted April 19, 2006 So where is the best place to buy a used LHD car? Im after one as well and will be used in europe only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Holland used to be very good for 2nd hand LHD cars. The Dutch were the 1st nationality to get snotty about older cars. The upshot was a higher percentage of the Dutch car driving population buying new and buying every 2 years. This factor means far more sub 3 year old cars on the market with heavier deprication. Here in the UK most work on a car being worth 40-55% of new cost after 3 years standard mileage. In Holland it was 45-60% after 2 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Looked at this before myself: http://www.autosupermarket.it/ - Italian Autotrader equivalent http://www.autotrader.nl/ - Dutch autotrader (same co as UK) site http://www.mobile.de/ - German Autotrader equivalent! http://www.autoplus.fr/ - French equiv to auto exp so watch out for dodgy photoshops (this week's 'new Golf' is terrible) - handy site for new prices i reckon though http://www.autotrader.fr I do have a Spanish autotrader somewhere in the house - will have a look for it later and get the website off it. Otherwise, http://www.autotrader.com is cheap for LHDs as it's the US site and the x-change rate is usually good. Watch for the shipping costs though!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 http://www.freetranslation.com is normally good for translating too!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 http://www.xe.com good for exchange rates and calculator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 50,000 euros on the italian site!! http://www.autosupermarket.it/1050det-Au...SkipRecords=100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 20000 euros!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonb Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 VX220 for all you badge snobs!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 [ QUOTE ] 20000 euros!! [/ QUOTE ] SZ Zagato- Used to see one in Greenford 6-7 years ago, about £38k for a UK new one (IIRC)and never seen under £20k And they were all LHD only Nice find, lovely car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v15ben Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Are you sure that price isn't in pounds? That is about the going rate in sterling for them over here!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 they are less appreciated on the continent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted April 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 US is the best place for me (being that I am currently here). I have to own the vehicle for 6 months, but then can ship it back and not pay any import duty or VAT. Obviously not going for a Hummer etc and looking to trade my SUV in for a slightly used S4 Avant... A base RS4 works out at £39,000 including all taxes..... but cant finance etc as it needs to show a clear title before it is allowed to leave the country, and its a tad out of my price bracket. Only other issue is that the rear hatch has a small plate space.... but I might be able to find a replacement hatch in France or Germany and have the work done there (cheaper than UK dealers). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccombie_5 Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 You also have to remember the suspension in alot of American specification cars is set up differently to EU cars. It's often softer and can effect the handling for the worse. I dont know if this will apply to RS models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanG Posted April 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Indeed, Audi and BMW have their cars set up to ride about 5 - 10 mm higher depending on the model due to the poor road surfaces in the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 Buy a car that is unavailable in RHD and it’ll be easier to sell on. My shortlist would include an E30 M3, M5 Touring, Z8, Z1, Fiat Barchetta… Excuse me I’m just off to browse Auto Trader… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccombie_5 Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Indeed, Audi and BMW have their cars set up to ride about 5 - 10 mm higher depending on the model due to the poor road surfaces in the US. [/ QUOTE ] I wasn't sure if you would know, alot of people dont apparently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorburn Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 [ QUOTE ] My shortlist would include an E30 M3, M5 Touring, Z8, Z1, Fiat Barchetta [/ QUOTE ] No short list has ever included the Fiat Barchetta, unless it was say of cars that are almost as bad as the MGF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Problem_Child Posted April 20, 2006 Report Share Posted April 20, 2006 [ QUOTE ] No short list has ever included the Fiat Barchetta, unless it was say of cars that are almost as bad as the MGF [/ QUOTE ] I almost bought one a few years ago- but there was a mazda dealer on my way home... Nice car though, if you're not after the last word in dynamics you can pick up a newish one with leather for peanuts. I'm not sorry I bought the MX-5 though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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