GazzaGSi Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Thinking of getting corvette for my next car but they only come in LHD. (unless if I had another 15k spare to do a conversion) Anyone have experience in a LHD car in the UK? Ive only driven a LHD for about 15 minutes in one as part of a rally experience package I got. In the US I was fine but they drive on the other side of the road so wasnt a problem. Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts and opinions of driving one in the UK and if its not practicle? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I didn't like it. Might be ok if a lot of motorway driving but up here on twisty roads and trying to see to overtake was a nightmare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 It's fine Gazza, never had visibilty probs in my LHD american celica supra. Was fun. Go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Speak to Soop Dogg. He's had a C5 and C6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 One of my lads is 19, just passed his test and has a Mustang - he's been driving that around for six months with no problems and he's a new driver, so you should have no problems. Soop Dogg on here knows his Corvettes.. drop him a PM? edit : too slow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz1 Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 i had a mustang for a few weeks, had no problems but it took me a couple of days to get used to it, i would have one no problem:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Guess I am well out-voted on this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Ive had a couple of LHD M5's a mate imported and F150 lightninig, got on ok with them tbh, i fancy a Corvette C5 now and doing a TT conversion on it. What Corvette are you looking at getting mate? ive been looking about at them for a while and all the C5's about at the min are auto, also got to be black for me, would look great sat next to the Supe:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaGSi Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 Cheers for the help guys. Guess the only way I will find out is from test driving afew but just wanted others ppl's thoughts as I was abit concerned about overtaking, roundabouts, drive-thru's etc Jamie, looking at a C6 with the z51 pack manual 6spd. Something along the lines of these: Also sound awesome: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=g321ow6lXNo (55 secs onwards) Definately will be black or white - 99% certain black. If the exchange rate to the dollar hadnt plumetted now would of been the time to import one. '05 plates with the z51 pack are going for sub $30k with around 10-20k miles on the clock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Very nice mate, get one:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaGSi Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 Just need to do some measuerments to make sure they'll fit in my garage... Dont think they are wider than a supe. Wikipedia is a marvellous thing. The evo I currently have is 69.7" wide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Lancer_Evolution#Evolution_IX The C6 is 72.6" wide http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvette_C6 Think I have around 3" 's spare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fearless Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I am driving a LHD Lancia Integrale at the moment and it is mostly OK once you are used to it. Kept finding myself out in the middle of the road at first. It does severely limit your overtaking opportunities though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outatime Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 You soon get used to it. Overtaking is not a problem if you just hang back a bit, or have a passenger that you can trust. The only issues I find are on some of the narrower roads around here, Corvettes are wide cars to be sat on the wrong side of - I tend to hug the kerb more to compensate. The M6 toll is a pain unless you have a Tag, but generally LHD is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Rendar Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Realistically, what are the conversion costs on these? 15K sounds a bit steep! P.S. I've always wanted a Corvette, but my missus loves the Mustang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooquicktostop Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Had a couple of LHD cars, found that after a few mins of driving it all becomes natural , go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon5698 Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 My fiat barchetta is LHD and is fine to drive, the only thing you have to be wary about is if you go in to car parks with barriers, maccy d's drive through etc because you look like a tit if you are on your own trying to reach over the seats lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csa Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 well i guess it's the same for us mainland guys driving RHD cars. No problem at all, takes an afternoon to get used to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Driving both RHD and LHD every day. You will get used to it in 1 week time, after a month you will adjust automatically to RHD/LHD without thinking about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snooze Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Ive had a couple of LHD M5's a mate imported and F150 lightninig, got on ok with them tbh, i fancy a Corvette C5 now and doing a TT conversion on it. Ha! The F150 doesn't count, Jamie - visibility isn't a problem - you can see OVER everything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Ha! The F150 doesn't count, Jamie - visibility isn't a problem - you can see OVER everything! Still a PITA at the Mcdonalds drive through:d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Pound to a pinch of sh*t you constantly bash your left hand into the door card looking for the gear lever I had RHD cars in Europe for a couple of years and things you take for granted are a pita. If you go into car parks putting the ticket in the barrier is a proper PITA, especially in a low down car like that. Any drive in thing be it maccy d's or the euro tunnel is a pain in the proverbial's. Seeing to overtake can be a right bastard as well especially in the UK where overtakers are apparently making work for undertakers. In holland I used to let the impatient gimp behind me overtake then pull out behind them and blitz past them after they pulled back over. Lorries are a real bugger to get past. You find though that you alter your driving style and pull out to have a looksee down the road way before you even need to be on the wrong side. One positive is parralel parking is a doddle as you can look out your own window at the kerb Also any gate/barrier with a checker on it has to walk around the car to get to you Heard the one about the mazda driver being pulled by the feds for drink driving?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soop Dogg Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Had 3 Corvettes, 2 Mustangs, a Camaro and one or two others I think over the years that I can't think of rright now. (Sorry, just had a bottle of wine!) TBH, if you drive it for a weekend, you'll never look back. Easy - I even prefer it to RHD on a narrow road now with oncoming traffic as I know how close to the kerb I really am. Wouldn't want to change my C6 for anything now, really. It's got luggage space, it's got looks (IMHO, although I realise it isn't everyones taste as it's American) ad it's got decent performance at a very reasonable cost. If you want one, then go for it. Get on the CCCUK website for any advice you might think you want. As for the comments about McDonalds - come on! I drive a Corvette - I don't eat at McDonalds FFS! ( ) I manage in car parks etc. What else can I say? It's worth it! Pound to a pinch of sh*t you constantly bash your left hand into the door card looking for the gear lever Maybe for the first few times you go to find reverse to get into your own driveway. After that I found I learned where the gear stick was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaGSi Posted January 26, 2009 Author Share Posted January 26, 2009 Realistically, what are the conversion costs on these? 15K sounds a bit steep! P.S. I've always wanted a Corvette, but my missus loves the Mustang. Its probably abit more actually. The only place Ive come across is corvetteclinic in Australia. Pricing at $49500AUS which equates to about $32000US so around £18-20k http://www.corvetteclinic.com.au/services/rhd_conversion.php Mabe there is cheaper options or nearer places around Get on the CCCUK website for any advice you might think you want. Already bookmarked Got a great guide on their too with what has to be converted for the SVA. Got any pics of yours? Cheers for the info and opinions guys, definately appreciated. Think all the points I was thinking about have been discussed and more. . . Never even thought about the car park entrance/exit with the ticket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 My brother bought a C5 Z06 last year, I've driven it quite a few times and I was surprised at how comfortable it was changing gear with your right hand. It's not so easy to see what's coming at roundabouts and junctions when you've got a passenger but the pleasure he gets from driving it makes it all worthwhile. He's got an aftermarket exhaust with an induction kit so it produces a fantastic deep rumble on acceleration, I thought my car got a lot of attention until I drove the Corvette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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