Looking for input on RHD. Doesn't matter if it's a convert or an original, besides the cost, how is the driving experience?

Besides needing a friend for drive-through (or backwards), and it being more difficult to join on ramps/merge?


For tech... ummm.... Are there advantages for your standard right-handed person when driving/shifting with different hands (RHD vs. LHD)? Would you still pass inspection if your lights are pointed the wrong way (I suppose to depends on the state).

Thoughts? From owners?

 

it really depends on the person
for me driving right hand drive is like breathing but only because thats how I learned to drive
I live in America for a cupple years and I did drive left hand
but I never felt right
it just felt like it was cheap
but i'm sure someone here will say the other way around
thats my experience

 

Rhd is good if ur a good driver,if you crash alot i wouldnt do it. And drive thru's are overrated just go in.Its not too hard if you know what ur doing or find a shop in ur area to do the work. U might as well do a brake line tuck because you got to modify the lines anyways thats what i did to my rhd crx the perportion vave is on the inside of the firewall

 

just a thought its not worth it unless its an import not conversion, but I believe you can pass smog (w/ import not conversion). I think its only state smog legal it could still be crushed by feds. (dont quote me)

 

Right. I'm not asking if it's legal or easy to do, I'm talking about the driving experience and pragmatics.

 

it was worth it! i owned two rhd cars so far. (eg and crx) im looking forward to ste up my game....BMW or EVO...

 

-with an ef drive through is no problem by yourself going the proper way.
-its cool because most jdm vehicles come over in pretty awesome shape.
-shifting/driving is nothing special same as normal really.., the signals and wipers are opposite though

this is coming from me owning my jdm rex and my jdm Z32

 

I converted my crx right hand drive and freaking loved it. No regrets.

 

The signals are opposite? Oh you mean the stalk position, yeah I'd imagine.

 

Its in no way worth it. A good friend of mine had a real RHD '92 Civic SiR-S that I had the opportunity to drive a few times, as cool as it was as far as options went I would way sooner have had it in LHD, to the point where I would have converted it. Merging is a pain, passing is a pain, even pulling out of a parking lot can be a pain. Shifting you get used to, but its still not the same as shifting with your right hand (unless you happen to be left handed maybe) RHD just doesn't serve any purpose over here in north america.

 

Aside from the "driving" part of it.....you should also consider other factors, most people don't think about....

- can you insure it.....or better yet, register it? (you might be surprised)
- parts, if it's real, there may be unreplaceable parts, or hard to get
- if it's a conversion, how will it really hold up in an accident? Is it safe?
- driving on the hiway isn't very good, passing sucks, and left hand turns are more difficult

 

just make three rights instead of one left

 

The one thing people forget... Weight distribution. Pay attention next time you're at the track. All the 84-00 civics/integras/accords/preludes will get one wheel peel with the right side front tire. This happens because the lhd chassis w/a a D/B/F/H places all the weight on the front left tire.

If you put the driver on the other side of the chassis you just moved +-200lbs. of ballast where it needs to be. The car will hook better and have a more neutral balance. If you're circle track racing keep the lhd n skip the k/j motors...

 

handy if you work for the post office, but i see no other advantage in the U.S.

 

Not worth it (Don't get me wrong, I love my Si-R). The shifting thing you get used to. The problem is trying to merge, pass, and just everyday affairs (drive-throughs and such). Everyone will tell you it's not a big deal just get out of the car, you would be surprised how bothersome it really is when you truly live with it. Also, it attracts attention the opposite way most would want it to. People don't notice or really care, and the Police tend to care more than you want.

As for the tech portion. Most RHD vehicles don't pass state safety (real bumper supports or doorbars what? lol) or emissions standards. The only good thing: when you miss a shift, you just look like an *** because you go to a higher gear lol.

 

It seems like converting to right hand drive would be just a waste of money, There is so much more stuff you can do with the money then to just be able to drive in the other seat. But thats just me.

 

Something i've noticed is that you're far less likely to miss shift into 2nd from 3rd in a RHD car, because as you pull the lever toward you, you're shifting up and not down.

 

-the drive through part i disagree with. i go through drive through every morning getting coffee and have NO problems just fold in the power fold in mirror and get kinda close and you'll be fine...
-as for the attention part i completely agree. when i went to my cousins wedding i decided to take my rex up there and ALL my family was checking it out. they did indeed think its cool but a couple of my uncles asked me if i "street race" with it. now when i had my old coupe no one asked me dumb **** like that haha. people often seem to associate RHD with fast turbo'd drift cars but even though my crx is none of that they still think so haha. and the same goes for police i'd think... i have only been pulled over once in either of my rhd cars and the officer loved my car and was supper chill

just my $.02 id say not worth it but at the same time worth it. its really up to you man. if you think you would enjoy the car then do it!

 

i wouldnt mind a rhd car if it was done right

 

I'd go with factory RHD personally, unless I did the conversion or had absolute faith in the party that did... not time for either, so I would buy something already once titled/registered in the states. I am not in Cali so if it has a title, it's good. (+ emissions)

 

I don't see the point considering the cost difference in both initial purchase and then replacement parts for anything cracked/broken/hard to get.

I am a function over form guy, so I think the price difference would be better used elsewhere in/on the car.

 

for what its worth, most road courses are right-turn dominant, so a right hand drive car would be beneficial in motorsport. on the street, its your choice. just mind the curbing.

 

You guys are thinking way to hard on this. The main problem with a rhd here is left turns. Parallel parking is too easy now. But pulling out is a little difficult. Stuff that you get used to after driving rhd for a week or two.

But in all reality, I would buy an og rhd before converting one. There is alot of work on finding all the parts and then having them work when you convert. Buying an oem rhd is ten times easier but also ten times the cost.

If I move out of california I will for sure buy a real one. But as long as I stay here no thanks. The police here are crooked as hell. Especially in temecula

 

to bad for you guys lol a real jdm car here is dirt cheap and easy to insure etc. and importing shops are plenty but Quebec has banned rhd cars so im not sure if its eventually going to be all across canada but untill then there everywhere