Reasons NOT to buy a LHD Early Bay

[Photophil]

Hi all.
I've been getting lots of advice on here about what to buy. A lot of peeps seem to think an import is the way forward if I want a decent early without the rust and welding. Here's my requirements.

RHD ( or not )
No welding.
MOT, I want to drive it home.
Mechanically sound.
Upstairs bedroom to throw junior up in.
Not too bothered about cosmetics or the interior as I'd like to put my own stamp on it and I'm hoping it will keep the initial costs down.

So...if I take the advice and go for an import what are the downsides and how much cheaper to buy one be. Sorry for being a noob.

Cheers all.

 

[DeeDeeTheBay]

I want an imported LHD because they're not usually rotten like the UK ones, My dad tried to put me off by saying....

They're not worth as much...... (dunno how true this is)
They cost more to insure.... (an insurer told me lhd policies are usually 15% more expensive than rhd's)
They're difficult to overtake in....... (Can you even overtake in an old bus anyway?!?! I know I wont unless I have 3 miles to do it in lol)

I initially wanted a rhd myself but i'm sure i'll get used to a lhd, adds to the fun too, especially if you sit junior in the passenger seat while driving and people will think its being driven by a child

 

[gav]

I was about to start a thread asking the same question, but a bit more specifically tailored towards panel vans...

I want a RHD panel because I'm a bit feardy because of visibility, especially when I won't have any windows! Can any LHD PV owners share their thoughts please?

 

[vwed]

I've been driving a LHD Pick Up for the last 12 years and problems when overtaking are rare.
Remember you are already a lot higher than all cars in front of you so you can see over them.
More of an issue I find is getting through ticket barriers when you don't have a passenger to take the ticket for you!

 

[Photophil]

I want an imported LHD because they're not usually rotten like the UK ones, My dad tried to put me off by saying....

They're not worth as much...... (dunno how true this is)
They cost more to insure.... (an insurer told me lhd policies are usually 15% more expensive than rhd's)
They're difficult to overtake in....... (Can you even overtake in an old bus anyway?!?! I know I wont unless I have 3 miles to do it in lol)

I initially wanted a rhd myself but i'm sure i'll get used to a lhd, adds to the fun too, especially if you sit junior in the passenger seat while driving and people will think its being driven by a child

From the lefties I've seen for sale they do tend to be up for less.
I've heard they are a little bit more to insure but a lot cheaper to weld as they tend not to need any.
Right...I'm getting one just so people think my 3yr old is driving!!!

Oh God I'm talking myself into getting one!

 

[DeeDeeTheBay]

Get one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BAM]

I was about to start a thread asking the same question, but a bit more specifically tailored towards panel vans...

I want a RHD panel because I'm a bit feardy because of visibility, especially when I won't have any windows! Can any LHD PV owners share their thoughts please?

I drive a 1967 EB Panel and really i cant see it being that different. Firstly visibility when overtaking isnt an issue because 1. its not fast enough to be doing any overtaking and 2. with the steering being similar to how i imagine driving a boat to feel I have of yet not even wanted to do anything than a steady 55/60 in the slow lane.

Pulling onto a motorway is easy enough, just use your mirrors.

Pulling out of certain angled junctions can occasionally be a bit tricky but once you get your head around positioning you van at more of a straight on angle i dont really have that many issues. Has been a couple of times when i first got the van on the road that i found myself having to jump accross to the passenger seat and back again to check oncoming traffic.

All in all visibility isnt really an issue.

In reference to the original question, the solidness of my van far outweighs any small increase in insurance and this is then represented in the amount that you can get resale value. There are that many variables when valuing a van and i cant see which side the steering wheel on to be anywhere near as important as how much rot and filler a van has got?

The lack of rust on my californian import is unbelievable and i think that you would struggle to find a UK or European van with the same amount of original metal and features that hasnt spent its life not being driven and therefore worth a fortune.

It might just be me but if i was going to be looking for another bus after this i would probably only be looking at US imports based on my experience with my current van, in my opinion they make much better bases for a small resto or blank canvas to make the van your own.

Bam.

 

[shiplee123]

I agree with most of what bam says!
It was only a year ago that I purchased my first bay window which is also a pannel van.
It isn't what I was looking for infant as I have kids I wanted an early bay westy pref in cream lol. Then my pannel van came up for sale. It was imported two years ago ind is 100 % rust free.
I couldn't turn it down
I took a while to get my head around if I wanted a lhd and also could I fit my family sleeping in a tin top
I'm so glad I purchased a rot free bus
This years mot it basically went straight through , no welding at all
Lhd took a couple of weeks to get my head round but hardly think about it now, like bam said just the odd junction that's tricky but not unmanageable!

I to have thought about starting a post as to what would u peops rather have, a rusty rhd bay or a 95 % + rust free lefty?

As for fitting family in a tin top well it works at moment I guess at least for the next 5 or 6 years then maybe ill stick the kids in the awning ha ha :lol:

 

[Marriedblonde]

i have a lhd westy. Not had any issues apart from mates getting in the wrong side.

insurance wise i pay about £100 F/C on mine.

Driving it day to day is not a problem, occasionally going into multi-storey car parks on your own mean hoping over to get a ticket but as there is so much room its not an issue.

j.

 

[shiplee123]

Oh btw I pay around £130 a year fully comp limited mileage (3000) this year as I have been working on it a lot.
Are you telling me if it was rhd I could get it even cheaper :shock:
Mind u what I pay I'd nothing is it

 

[Nugsy]

Reasons NOT to buy a LHD Early Bay

None whatsoever. Had mine two years drove it both here and on the continent, wouldnt change it for the world

 

[cotswoldiver]

I've had both, and whilst driving a LHD was not too much of an issue - apart from as others have said with a westy the wardrobe does block vision so well adjusted mirrors or even an extra clip on mirror for the blind spot are a must. It's funny how quickly you get used to driving a leftie and if europe is part of your plans then it will come into its own driving with the french and the italians etc etc :lol:

However, my wife not only had an issue with driving a LHD, but she hated being sat in the front seat with the traffic coming towards her - she never did get used to that and it was the biggest lift I had to spend a few more beer tokens finding and getting a RHD UK bus sorted - and I was lucky it was a solid shell to start with.

And you could be searching a long time for a good RHD (unless you want to spend silly money for a completed SA or Aussie bus) when in that time with the help of great people on this site you could have already found a good honest LHD and saved a few bob which can go towards the fuel and running costs and just being out enjoying yourself in your bus

Happy seaching

 

[Lordain Volley]

Reasons NOT to buy a LHD Early Bay

None whatsoever. Had mine two years drove it both here and on the continent, wouldnt change it for the world

I agree totally. LHD are no different in real terms. The LHD/RHD "issues" are an illusion - the pedals are exactly the same irrespective if a vehicle is a LHD or RHD. Most drivers are right handed, but never think twice about using their left (unnatural) hand to change gear in a RHD vehicle. Conversely if you drive a LHD, you use your "natural" hand, that is to say if your already right handed to change gear. As for over taking again you have a much wider field of vision if you sit on the left and look over your right shoulder.

As for LHD vehicles going for less, this too is a load of sewage. The condition of the vehicle takes precedence of it being a left or right hooker.

It's frankly a silly thread to start. :msn4:

LV

 

[Photophil]

Yes, I'm very sorry to have started this thread. There is obviously nothing wrong with a lefty and I am completely stupid. Please don't ban me.

Because of the fantastic advice I am now going to look at both.

Right....time for a new thread 'what colour is best'.

That's a joke btw.

Phil

 

[Graham L]

Not a silly question and worth asking.

Once you've driven a LHD bus its not a challenge at all and we only import LHD examples from the US, we gave up on the South African buses as they are still in daily use and in a bad way bodywork wise, so whilst they are RHD they still need lots of bodywork.

LHD buses from the US can be rusty but only in places and these are usually cab floor due to wear, battery tray due to acid corrosion and often around the lower windscreen but thats it, far better than any UK RHD bus.

 

[mike202]

I too have a LHD earlybay. I agree with what others have said about rust etc. The only thing I would add is that I felt a lot happier when I replaced the flat right hand side mirror lens with a convex one (like modern cars have) it just makes overtaking a lot easier for me as I can see more down the offside. I've only got a 1600 engine and don't exceed 60mph, but its surprising how many times you do overtake on the motorway. That's both of us pedalling as fast as we can, going downhill :lol:

 

[K@rlos]

You buy a LHD because your hardcore :rocknroll:

Everyone makes out that driving a lefty is a big deal, it really isn't. Get a few miles behind you and you'll not worry about it.

 

[gman4175]

you could do a lot worse than to buy a LHD US import, i've got one myself & absolutely love it. insurance wise, it's cheap. body wise it's fine, i love the OG paint & it only needed the battery tray replacing & a small patch on the cab floor welding when imported. once you've driven it a couple of times it makes no difference that it's a left hooker & there's no real trouble seeing down the offside as there's big windows the full length of the bus.

 

[Trikky2]

It's a perfectly valid question, especially for somebody who has not driven a left hand drive vehicle before.

If you have driven an English vehicle on the continent then it's pretty much like that. There is a small advantage in that you can see over the top of cars but this advantage has become less so over the last years because of the ever increasing number of people who own 4WD and crossovers, which are the same height as a bus. If they have left their windows clear its still not bad because you can see through but the odd fashion for heavily tinted ambulance of mafia style rear glass makes many of them just like a windowless van to overtake.

With these and trucks you have to hang back further so you can peek past them or if you trust your passenger they can look for you.

Overtaking the bigger stuff is about the only significant inconvenience, though I agree that, if your on your own, toll booths are a pain too.

Also, as Mike 202 said, a convex mirror for the off side is a big help because, with the wider field of view, it's much easier to check if its safe to pull into the other lane.

I have the reverse situation to you in that my RHD bus is here in France.

Many people have no problem with LHD but if you are not sure then try to get a test drive with somebody first, because there are some drivers who are not happy with it.

There's certainly a lot to be said for getting a relatively rust free import since, like all old cars, rust is the most expensive and difficult thing to fix. It is possible to get RHD non rusty buses but the prices are going to be higher. RHD imports are quite rare compared to US buses. South African buses can have some strange specs and features. With the Australian economy and currency very strong these days, buses from there are not as cheap as they used to be.

Hope this helps.

 

[Pickles]

I'm another with a LHD drive Westy the only small issue I have is the blind spot caused by the wardrobe, which can make entering a main road from a slip road interesting ... other than that it's fab :lol: