LHD or RHD

phantom · Dec 28, 2004

Hello
I'm new here and i'm hoping to get a Box S to replace my VX220 Turbo, now i only have limited funds the car and a couple of grand and i notice a big difference in prices between a RHD and a LHD 'S' and righly so. So what i'm asking did anyone go down the LHD route and and there problems in owning one.
Are costs different?
What should i look out for?

Just some basic buying advice would be grateful.

Many Thanks
Jeff

phantom · Dec 30, 2004

no replies

Delbox · Dec 30, 2004

Try www.boxa.net - the focus there is on Boxsters; for the most part the PCGB site has a wealth of informatyion on 911s and lacks detail about the Boxster.

Jacob · Dec 30, 2004

I own a LHD '87 Carrera - There is no real difference other than driving on the other side of the car[

]

You get used to it very quickly and remember, Porsches built for the motherland are all LHD

oliver · Dec 30, 2004

The Boxster, particularly the 'S', is an extremely accomplished car and there are always plenty for sale. my advice would be to be patient and seek out a 'private' rhd example.

What's your budget?

Mark_Bennett · Dec 31, 2004

A lhd car seems to be no problem for the many owners of older Porsches.

If you are planning to go on holiday in Europe with it it would even be an advantage - and you can overtake over there as well...

JCB.. · Dec 31, 2004

Try www.boxa.net - the focus there is on Boxsters; for the most part the PCGB site has a wealth of informatyion on 911s and lacks detail about the Boxster.

Does it really - What would you like to see?

JCB..

NicD · Jan 1, 2005

There are the obvious points with a LHD car - insurance may be more difficult, the car wont have the UK C16 option, so some parts may take longer to arrive, wont have factory UK alarm/immobiliser, handbook not in English (obvious can buy a local version though)

One big problem I had with my LHD was at car parks or tolls, you have to lean across the car to reach. Overtaking is harder as you have to hang back to get a safe view around. Conversely, both are easier when driving on the Continent.

Of course, any cost saving at purchase will be reflected in a harder sale when you wish to move on.

I don't imagine any specific mechanical issue with a LHD though.

phantom · Jan 1, 2005

Hi all thx for the replies, my budget is my 220 turbie a couple of grand and about £200 a month if HP is required, the reason i was looking at Left hookers is the price and better spec and newer car for less money, where as if i go to a OPC in Sheffield like i am on Monday 3rd i have no idea what age car i can afford or what spec i can get, where as if i go to LHDporsche in Notts i know exactly what i can get for my money.
I would like traction control and the 03 model with the glass rear screen but not sure if i will get it within my price range.

I want this to be right as it will be my everyday car, i love the VX but i have come to the point where i need my creature comforts back, and i never Track day so it seems abit of a waste.

Jeff

NicD · Jan 1, 2005

Jeff,

there have been many threads about "must have" options, just do a search. For me, the TC/PSM is not a priority, but for many others it is. I find the S easy to control, but there have been several reports of new owners hitting barriers at motorway off ramps etc.

For me, heated seats is a must, also the wind break.

Now is a good time to buy privately, have you checked the for sale ads?

The heated rear window is nice, not sure it is a must though.

Btw, I always recommend owners to get their suspension aligned to sport settings - I can send these.

Tool Pants · Jan 1, 2005

I have owned a LHD Boxster for almost 6 years.[

]

In fact, I have never seen a RHD Boxster in person. Just pictures.

Andy Cooke · Jan 2, 2005

T.P what are the two black objects on either side of the licence plate do they have any usefull purpose, they seem to be fitted on all US spec cars

Tool Pants · Jan 2, 2005

We call them bumperetts. They are made of rubber. We also have two shocks behind the bumper cover support. For the 2004 special edition they were painted the same color as the body.

We have had a law for many years that if a car is hit at X miles per hour it is not supposed to sustain any damage or just slight damage, I forget which it is. I think it use to be 5 mph, but now it is 2.5 mph. So Porsche puts those 2 rubber things on North America cars. The 996 turbo when it first came here in 2001 also had smaller versions on the front that we called bumper "warts." The 996 also has them on the rear, and Porsche started painting them in 2002.

The rear bumper cover is the same part world wide. So if the cover is replaced on a US car the body shop cuts two holes for the brackets for the bumperetts. Some people who have replaced the cover eliminate the bumperetts. But then the cover looks funny because our license plates are small. Jeff

phantom · Jan 2, 2005

Hi Nic

Thx for the input, have checked the private ads, but at the moment i don't have the time or resources to sell my VX privately, i alway seem to PX, i know i loose out but it's easier for me that way, i would like Tc (pcm) just because of the area i live in could do with it sometimes.
Never thought about Heated seats but will see what the Porsche center offers me tomorrow in the way of Spec for money.

Ta
Jeff

Guest · Jan 10, 2005

My first Boxster was an American import which was quite well specced. It had a sports pack which included lower suspension and traction contol as well as climate control.

The price was very right which was one of the main reasons I bought it. I could see if I liked it without it costing the earth if I didn't. Of course I became a total convert to Porsche despite their lousy service.

The LHD really comes into it's own on the continent. We did a couple of rally type things to the south of France and the LHD enabled me to keep up with some quite fancy machinery in my 2.5.

I have bought a house in France and am seriously considering a LHD but I want the 05 car and the new gearbox so I suppose I will have to buy new.

I was thinking of buying and registering in Germany or somewhere else I don't live. Anybody any experience of this and what are the implications? Seems lots of expats run around in non French registered cars.

Guest · Jan 10, 2005

We call them bumperetts

Thanks for the photos.

My previous car was a US import and had these bumperettes and I really liked them. I tried to get them fitted to my current car but was told it was not possible.

I didn't believe them but couldn't be bothered to argue.

My number plate was small. B3SUN fitted very nicely between the bumperetts.

Laurence Gibbs · Jan 13, 2005

Having owned and driven quite a few lhd cars now i can safely say that problems are few. the only obvious drawbacks have already been noted. Though I find hardly any real problem when you work round the small drawbacks(for tolls you get out or lean over or have a passenger, for overtaking you reposition yourself etc). I don't see lhd as being a problem come sale time. Nowadays you have the rest of europe to sell to and GB so a very big market place. With the Euro against the pound at present our friends accross the channel may well venture here for a bargin!

Laurence Gibbs · Jan 13, 2005

The bumperettes would fit so long as you buy the US spec bumpers to go with it!!!!

Guest · Jan 13, 2005

LHD is areal pain at car parks.

A BMW I had was written off by a guy leaning over to take a ticket in a car park. His car started rolling and he jammed his foot on the accelerator instead of the brake. He was in a Rolls Royce so my BMW ended up about 3 feet shorter.