Got my first UK car

I just bought a 97 Rover 416i and I drove it the first time today and wow was it different..lol. How long did you get use to driving here and the roundabouts? I need some practice. Thanks guys.

I just bought a 97 Rover 416i and I drove it the first time today and wow was it different..lol. How long did you get use to driving here and the roundabouts? I need some practice. Thanks guys.

My first car here was a Rover, too! I think it's a great first choice as it's small and easy to maneuver! Well done!

I was absolutely petrified the first couple of times I drove in the UK. But honestly, after about 2 weeks, it was second nature. It's amazing how quickly you'll find you get used to it all.

Have fun!

i've been thinking about buying a car...but it's going to have to wait until i get a job.

on a side note...did you, or anyone else, consider purchasing a car with left-hand drive like in the US?  I really feel as if i would drive better if i was at least sitting on the side of the car that i'm used to...even tho i'll be on the other side of the road.  the only problem i see with this type of set up is the round-a-bouts...but even that can be manageable i'm sure.  anyone else see any problems with going this route?

Hi caligirl.

Well me and my Bro have a 2003 F150 Harley anniversary edition truck that we imported from Texas in july 04 and having a left hand drive does present a few issues. Personally, I'm absolutley fine with driving LHD cars, and have driven quite a bit over in the USA and Canada (with some excellent experiences of driving, speeding, USA & Canadian coppers, tickets, fines etc etc!!)

Whilst I understand you'd think you'd feel comfortable on the Left side of the car becuase you're used to it, I'd say hone your driving skills to become good at driving on the right side of the car, Reason - well. when you sit on the left you can't see the road too clearly ahead when it comes time for overtaking be that a moving or stationary car. That takes some getting used to, in the F150 it's easier because the driving position is higher up so I can see 'over' the car in front! In a car, the visibility is reduced so you'll be forever poking your car out 'trying' to look ahead. Good thing is though, not 'so' many cars here have dark tints like they do in the US, so you can 'kinda see' through the car in front and ascertain if theres an obstacle that way, but you get the idea! 

Once your confidence builds, driving a Left Hooker isn't so bad here, it's just your perception is enahnced in order to keep a sharp eye out!

Other elements of having a left hooker is that car parks and drive thru's become a pain and you have to lean across. I had one of those mechanical 'grabber' thingies (the ones you sometimes see litter being picked up with) so i could just lean over and poke whatever ticket etc through the right side window!

another element of course is insurance will be higher and obtaining parts may be an issue - but just stick to left hand drive variants of popular Euro cars and you should be ok!

hope this helps a bit!
Dennis! West London & Slough UK!

PS - sniff sniff, the truck has been with a car dealer the last couple months in the view of selling it..  want a pristine 2003 F150 Harley Truck?!!!

thanks for the advice dennis. i didn't even think about car parks and drive thrus....altho i stay away from fast food.  but car parks would definitely be an issue. 

i dunno why....but i just don't wanna do it.  i'm being a big kid in this situation for some reason.  i guess because i have had to give up everything else american when i came here....i just want to stick to the one thing that i consider truely american.  oh well...i guess i still have my accent.

as for the 2003 f150 anniversary edition....my husband would absolutely sh*t his pants if i got him that.  every time we see one (which has only been about 3 times since i've been here) i swear he makes a little wet spot in his pants.  i would LOVE to buy it...but i don't have a job at the moment nor the money to do so. 

out of curiosity...how much did it cost you to ship it over here...if you don't mind me asking....

I've driven LHD cars here for years and never found any difficulty.  Yes, there are occasions when you can't see round a vehicle to pass, but there are other times when you can actually see something better from the left side of the car, so it's swings and roundabouts.    Speaking of which, I've never found LHD to be any drawback at all when negotiating roundabouts.

That said, I've always been in rural areas, so drive-thrus,  ticket machines etc. just aren't a problem for me, and I can cope with the odd times I drive into the city and have to scoot across the seat to the passenger window to get a ticket or pass change over.