Owning a LHD GT3 in the UK - Page 3 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

First time post here, usually over lurking on Rennlist. So - I'm currently based in Dubai but with the new ways in which we have been and will be working, I'll be spending at least a third of the year in the UK. Adding to that, we've got a 6month old that takes up most of our time. I own a 991.2 GT3 and I'm just not driving it because to get to any great roads (and there are a few worldie ones) you've got to drive at least an hour, or go to the track. All this being as it is, I am 90% of the way towards deciding to send it home. All the shipping/prep quotes are done, tax is a non-issue as I won't be selling it any time soon and have owned the car here for more than a year. All in all about 4000 sterling door to door and on the road. Car has global Porsche warranty, too. So I guess I'm just here looking for opinions or experiences. Has anybody owned a fast left hooker here, has anybody done regular trips to the continent (as I would intend to do) and found it much more enjoyable in the correct configuration? Ad, overall is there any big reason why I shouldn't do this? Like I said, this isn't about turning a profit and I'll likely keep the car for a ways. Cheers. Alex Moderator edit: no advertising

Just registering interest here (apologies OP) as have a similar idea running a fast LHD for fun times but also for continental use. Be interested to hear people that do the same and whether any insurers recommended for more than 90 day European coverage.

Like quite a few, I run a LHD A/C 911 in the UK, not very fast, but works perfectly well in the UK, Don't really give it a second thought.

I don't drive s porker but I've driven LHD over here for about 20 years now. Despite all the doom-mongers and naysayers it really is a non-issue after the first 5 minutes or so

I had a LHD GT3 for 7.5 years and 60,000 miles and didn't find any problems using it in the UK. It was used for many European driving holidays where of course it came into it's own. The only obvious downsides are in car parks and at toll booths, but not a problem if you have a passenger or jump out and run round the car. The upsides are that the driver is able to get out straight onto the pavement, and non-observant police officers come and rap on the passenger window when they stop you.

My 911 is LHD and I have owned it for 16 years. Never had a problem, it's just fine and then when you go on the continent it's brilliant. I would happily go LHD again.

Had a lhd 911 for a few years. Joining merging roads requires extra care, especially motorways. Also you need long arms to pay at barriers, LOL.

From my experience of driving a RHD car in Europe the only real downside is that overtaking opportunities are reduced - the kind of ones on a country road where the window is narrow for a normal car but a quick car can do safely if you can see well enough. Not a deal breaker at all, it just means you get stuck behind slow cars more often. Of course, this is going to happen either way - in a RHD car in Europe and a LHD car in the UK.

AmoCS said: Had a lhd 911 for a few years. Joining merging roads requires extra care, especially motorways. Also you need long arms to pay at barriers, LOL. I wonder if the curved stick on mirror "wideners" that can be used when towing would offer any benefit, along with the lifesaver check you do anyway.

braddo said: From my experience of driving a RHD car in Europe the only real downside is that overtaking opportunities are reduced - the kind of ones on a country road where the window is narrow for a normal car but a quick car can do safely if you can see well enough. Not a deal breaker at all, it just means you get stuck behind slow cars more often. Of course, this is going to happen either way - in a RHD car in Europe and a LHD car in the UK. Not necessarily - sometimes overtaking opportunities can be better seen in a LHD car that otherwise may not be apparent in RHD. For example, being able to look down the inside of the car ahead to check the road ahead (especially on left hand bends).

jeremyc said: ot necessarily - sometimes overtaking opportunities can be better seen in a LHD car that otherwise may not be apparent in RHD. For example, being able to look down the inside of the car ahead to check the road ahead (especially on left hand bends). Sometimes. Fewer SUVs and privacy glass on the cars in front (compared to UK) also helps!

I would sell it locally. Its not worth the hassle. It will be unsellable in the UK and coming from Dubai you will have to pay EU VAT on it when selling it abroad.

Another one here LHD Touring and 980. No issues at all prefer it in fact majority of 911’s over last 25 years been LHD. Edited by 993rsr on Wednesday 26th May 16:54

The guards on the gate hear my old 911 from miles away, the gates open as I get there once they realised it was LHD and I had to get out to swipe the card reader! Depends how much you like the McD drive through otherwise no problems for me (but the old air-cooled porker is a narrow beast)

hornbaek said: I would sell it locally. Its not worth the hassle. It will be unsellable in the UK and coming from Dubai you will have to pay EU VAT on it when selling it abroad. This and also uk vat bringing it in I would have thought?

ttdan said: hornbaek said: I would sell it locally. Its not worth the hassle. It will be unsellable in the UK and coming from Dubai you will have to pay EU VAT on it when selling it abroad. This and also uk vat bringing it in I would have thought? Not if you've owned, and used. It for 6month+ (and have receipts to verify

I ran an HF Integrale in the 90s for a while. No issues really, although car park ticket barriers could be a PITA.

I owned LHD in the UK in the past and now own a RHD car in Germany - no issues at all imo

Still own a LHD GT3 and a LHD 928 GT - no issues and they really came into their own in Europe.

Few years ago I shipped my 911 back from the Dubai to the UK (no VAT/duty, returning resident etc). As others said, no real issues with LHD and came into its own in Europe. Eventually sold it on to a guy in Holland. Might be more of a challenge now to move it on however. Edited by Rich_AR on Thursday 27th May 17:52

Some of the best cars were only available in LHD ... Integrale ... E30M3 ... As others have said no real issue ... I did 20k Km in a 964RS NGT and never thought about it ... now have two LHD collectables and it's just a car switch.

No issues to drive... had a Speciale and a GT3 and still enjoyed them on the right roads (mostly empty welsh roads in low season) but the best times were on the continent.. so you are good to go in that respect. The issue though is that selling the car in this idiotic post-brexit world will be a challenge..

rosino said: No issues to drive... had a Speciale and a GT3 and still enjoyed them on the right roads (mostly empty welsh roads in low season) but the best times were on the continent.. so you are good to go in that respect. The issue though is that selling the car in this idiotic post-brexit world will be a challenge.. The reality is that the car would have been cheaper to start with. So yes, maybe harder/discounted to move on in the UK, but if you got it at 25% less than the UK equivalent to start with...

Cheburator mk2 said: The reality is that the car would have been cheaper to start with. So yes, maybe harder/discounted to move on in the UK, but if you got it at 25% less than the UK equivalent to start with... I don't think its as straight forward as that with Brexit and from what I have seen. LHD was traditionally cheaper, but then we had the softening of the pound, and LHD cars suddenly looked better value to buyers from the continent. As a result, prices hardened and in some cases climbed beyond their RHD equivalent with the wider market. Then we have seen the pound gain a little on other currencies and now we have seen Brexit, and the resultant taxes. Seems to me that LHD went from being traditionally cheaper, to the same or more and now seemingly drifting back down. Interestingly, away from supercars and in the world of daily sheds, LHD here still command a big premium. I have been on the hunt for an old RR Sport for a while and prices for them are about double the price for a RHD equivalent (both cars in the UK).

Cheburator mk2 said: The reality is that the car would have been cheaper to start with. So yes, maybe harder/discounted to move on in the UK, but if you got it at 25% less than the UK equivalent to start with... At the price I got it for, it’s no issue in the slightest. This is the cheapest place on the planet to pick up a GT car, and mine was a distress sale. Plus I own it, so no finance or whatever. Most probably keep it until none of that matters, anyhow

Hi OP. I’m also in Dubai and own a 911, albeit a much older 996 turbo. May take it (or a GT4, if I upgrade) home with me eventually to the U.K. I thought you’d have to pay VAT on it if you send it home? Or, are you repatriating? If so, I believe it’s treated as a personal possession, so there’s no tax.

Onetrackmind said: Hi OP. I’m also in Dubai and own a 911, albeit a much older 996 turbo. May take it (or a GT4, if I upgrade) home with me eventually to the U.K. I thought you’d have to pay VAT on it if you send it home? Or, are you repatriating? If so, I believe it’s treated as a personal possession, so there’s no tax. Transfer of residence/ ToR aka you're moving back to the UK properly/to reside. You can apply for tax relief on the duty etc. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/application-for-transf...

No real issue with LHD in the Uk. Hesitated for years then bought a Ruf 964 RCT as a leftie, after 5 mins of driving I was kicking myself For never having an E30 M3 or Lancia Integrale. Since then have had a 550 Maranello for a few years and now have a 430 Scud leftie too.

LHD Porsches drive better too

NickUSA said: LHD Porsches drive better too True and in the case of the 996/997 have proper sized fuel tanks too...

NickUSA said: LHD aircooled Porsches drive better too FTFY

Slippydiff said: FTFY Rubbish. 996 cars also have a better angle for the steering column as they don’t have to deal with the fuel tank... you of all people should know...

I've had my LHD 996 GT3 for 20 years now. No issues at all. Step out onto the pavement on a busy road; no problems overtaking - you see inside the car in front on left hand bends etc; easier on euro road trips. The only slight pain is car parks getting out and walk around. HTH

Cheburator mk2 said: True and in the case of the 996/997 have proper sized fuel tanks too... I didn't know that! How much bigger is the tank and does that also apply to the 4WD models?

nebpor said: I didn't know that! How much bigger is the tank and does that also apply to the 4WD models? LHD GT3s - 996 and 997 have 90 ltr tanks, so does the GT2 and the boggo Carerra 4wd cars have 64ltrs and so do all RHD cars irrespective of AWD or 2WD configuration

Spent plenty of time in fast LHD cars in the UK, including a 458 Speciale which is on a similar wavelength to a 991 GT3 Out and on the road, absolutely no issue. Toll booths, car parks and drive throughs are pretty tedious though if you're on your own. Overall if I loved a particular car or I was doing euro trips all the time, or there was a big financial advantage then nothing is annoying enough to stop me sticking with LHD, but if I wasn't attached or it didn't make sense financially then I'd sell and buy RHD locally.

Cheburator mk2 said: Slippydiff said: FTFY Rubbish. 996 cars also have a better angle for the steering column as they don’t have to deal with the fuel tank... you of all people should know... Your point regarding the size of the fuel tanks on the LHD cars is undeniable Your comments regarding the differing relationships betwixt the seat, steering wheel/column, pedals on the RHD and LHD 996 cars is however I found the RHD driving position in the 964 (even after they'd tweaked the pedalbox slightly) and specifically the offset of the pedals relative to the seat, AND the lack of space to rest my clutch foot in the cramped footwell, irritating, if not downright tiresome and tortuous for my lower back. Meanwhile the LHD 964 felt (as many have suggested) that it was designed specifically for LHD operation. And for my 5ft 11" frame, it fitted perfectly, but also all the control surfaces fell to to hand naturally. The 996 cabin felt as if it had been designed with LHD and RHD operation from the outset/drawing board. There was certainly nothing strange about the RHD pedal layout, nor did I find the steering coloumn out of sorts with the seat/pedal location. I must admit I actually like driving LHD cars (something to do with being partially ambidextrous ?) but on the two occasions I drove a LHD Mk1 996 GT3, I didn't particularly enjoy the experience, somehow it didn't feel natural in the way a LHD aircooled car does.

Slippydiff said: Your point regarding the size of the fuel tanks on the LHD cars is undeniable Your comments regarding the differing relationships betwixt the seat, steering wheel/column, pedals on the RHD and LHD 996 cars is however I found the RHD driving position in the 964 (even after they'd tweaked the pedalbox slightly) and specifically the offset of the pedals relative to the seat, AND the lack of space to rest my clutch foot in the cramped footwell, irritating, if not downright tiresome and tortuous for my lower back. Meanwhile the LHD 964 felt (as many have suggested) that it was designed specifically for LHD operation. And for my 5ft 11" frame, it fitted perfectly, but also all the control surfaces fell to to hand naturally. The 996 cabin felt as if it had been designed with LHD and RHD operation from the outset/drawing board. There was certainly nothing strange about the RHD pedal layout, nor did I find the steering coloumn out of sorts with the seat/pedal location. I must admit I actually like driving LHD cars (something to do with being partially ambidextrous ?) but on the two occasions I drove a LHD Mk1 996 GT3, I didn't particularly enjoy the experience, somehow it didn't feel natural in the way a LHD aircooled car does. I am 6’6” and I hate driving RHD 996/997s. Yes, they are miles better than the early aircooled RHD 911s, which were a bodge. Just like E30s or VWs from the era. Still, the angle of the RHD 996 steering column combined with my height means that I cannot see the top of dials and also that the steering wheel sits in my lap. A LHD 996/7 GT3 just feels right... The only old Porsche which is totally spot on with regards to ergonomics regardless of LHD/RHD is the 928. But that’s a whole different topic.

I brought my 996 GT3 and also an Integrale over with me when emigrating back from Dubai in 2012. Sentimentality played a large part in my decision to bring them over. Too many club racing memories in my GT3 for me to be willing to part with it at almost any price. Financially questionable decision but emotionally a good one. The Lancia is used regularly on the road and being LHD is absolutely no problem for me (partly because overtaking opportunities are limited in the SE anyway, but partly also because its size and nimbleness help negate the disadvantage). The GT3 is track biased and hardly ever used on the road, so LHD is actually a bit of an advantage I feel - I'm at the opposite end of the height spectrum to Cheburator (!), but concur the driving position and ergonomics are absolutely spot on (it fits me like a glove). Since I have no intention of selling either car, I'm not fussed about residuals. But if it ever came down to it, I would probably advertise on mobile.de and not bother with the UK market (I dread the UK buyer's obsession with bonnet stickers and stitching).

Never had an issue with any lhd 911 over here, including the GT3. Only had one RHD 911 - a 993 - and, although it was an amazing car, the pedal offset made it a pain on long journeys

ClaphamGT3 said: Never had an issue with any lhd 911 over here, including the GT3. Only had one RHD 911 - a 993 - and, although it was an amazing car, the pedal offset made it a pain on long journeys Apologies for resurrecting and old thread. If I was looking at 997 GT3 in LHD, how much would the saving by picking a LHD over a RHD? Roughly of course.

Benzooki said: Apologies for resurrecting and old thread. If I was looking at 997 GT3 in LHD, how much would the saving by picking a LHD over a RHD? Roughly of course. Would there be a saving? LHD cars seem more expensive than RHD these days given European pricing is that much more.

Much prefer a lhd myself. Not an issue in the UK and spend a bit of time in the EU so an advantage plus the 90 litre tank. Still consider the driving position better in LHD even on post 993 models.