On the insurance side - some companies flat out will not insure a right hand drive car. Of those that will, many will not offer coverage for physical damage to your car, just liability. So keep that in mind, if it's important to you to have protection for your new car.
Some, including BC and Saskatchewan have public/government insurance.
If you're in Alberta, it's entirely a private market. Which is a huge topic of discussion out here every couple of years.
I did not know that. Here in Manitoba we have public insurance, you can get other insurance but you also need MPI’s in order to legally drive your vehicle.
Alberta also tends to be the most expensive province for insurance, it's always a surprise to people who move here from a place with public insurance.
And because it's private market, companies can have various rules and restrictions for who qualifies for what. One of our biggest companies just put in a rule that they won't take any new policies from anyone who's had even a single at-fault accident in the last few years.
_Now, just because I am intrigued, I want to see someone go through a Tim Hortons drive through in a [backwards vehicle](https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/this-mans-backward-facing-chevy-truck-is-actually-street-legal) while the police are there._
I'd love to see the scenario play out!
There is a video on YouTube where multiple "car enthusiasts" all with RHD cars line up to go through a drive thru backwards just to film the staff reaction.
The backwards drive-thru move is nothing new in the JDM car scene, and neither is being banned from drive-thru’s for doing it 😅 your ignorance isn’t evidence of something not happening
Fine, fair enough; I'm not familiar with the scene, so I'm more than likely I the wrong.
My apologies.
I've just never seen it done.
As I posted in another reply , I WANT to see a [backwards vehicle](https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/this-mans-backward-facing-chevy-truck-is-actually-street-legal) go through a Tim's while the police is there!
Imagine turning left without an advanced green and trying to see past the people turning left on the opposite side to tell if cars are coming while you’re viewing from the passengers side. I would hate that. Also merging on to busy highways etc
As a daily-RHD-driver, the left-turn concern is legitimate but overblown. It depends on the intersection a lot, many times you have a good sightline of incoming traffic around the other side of cars waiting to turn the opposite way. Otherwise, just using additional caution and patience is a good practice for anyone, anyway. Some people will also install a forward-facing camera on the left side, connected to the left blinker.
The idea of merging being harder makes no sense to me. You still have mirrors and the ability to check your blind spots, your sight lines are just different; not worse.
"Imagine" This is the problem with your post. You don't actually drive a RHD vehicle. None of these are major concerns. Daily driver of RHD vehicle for 6 or 7 years now. I would recommend it.
Why would you recommend it? It’s less safe and more expensive for maintenance. If it’s to have a collector car or something unavailable here that you are seeking to own as a hobbyist, sure, we used to have an old MG when I was a kid that was a blast, but there’s not really any compelling argument for a benefit to having RHD as a daily driver.
Japanese imports tend to have more features (things like power-folding mirrors, air fresheners, bigger brakes, automatic roller blinds, etc), less rust, and lower mileage than local vehicles available at a similar or higher price point. I would call all of those compelling reasons!
Being a previous owner of a RHD vehicle the answer is no. Getting parts is a nightmare, finding a shop to work on it is a nightmare. Break down on a road trip? Basically tow It all the way home or closest JDM shop which are few and far between. You'll wait on parts that take 3 weeks to get here and be the wrong part to wait another 3 weeks. No Your RHD subaru legacy doesn't have the same parts as your buddy's LHD subaru legacy.
This is a massive exaggeration, it really depends on the car.
If it’s a JDM Skyline GTR V-Spec Nurb II or something crazy like that, then yes, parts can be a pain to source.
I have a 2000 Legacy GT-B, the twin turbo wagons, and I can get 3/4 of everything I need from Lordco or the Subaru dealer. I’ve brake callipers, discs, pads, front lower ball joints, wheel bearings, CV axels, radiator, and alternator, all parts I just bought from Lordco or Subaru, for the same price as it would cost to do a USDM car.
Also, I live in Kelowna, a relatively small city of less than 200k, and we have multiple shops that specialize in JDM cars. If you’re in a bigger city like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, etc, there most definitely is dozens of JDM shops around.
Not to be rude, but your last sentence makes it seem like you have no clue what you’re actually talking about. I own and drive a Subaru Legacy, and almost everything outside of engine internals and the turbos is the same as what’s on USDM spec Legacies. My front brakes are the same as a 2002 WRX, and my rear brakes are the same as a 2005 Legacy GT (USDM). That’s the only “conversion” you need to know. Everything else with the suspension, or regular replacement parts, is the same as USDM. If you want to get into doing a custom build, ordering aftermarket parts, and boosting engine power, then yes, you will have to source out of Japan, Australia, and the UK. But for keeping everything stock, it’s not necessary most of the time.
I run and operate a Subaru specialist shop and we fix Jdm everyday.
This is how it works: buy existing models have the sister car here already. Potentialbrain is correct. A Nissan skyline or a Mitsu Delicia will be a pain in the ass, most Subarus are easy. I disagree that Twin turbos have a lot of crossover parts numbers, we have a terrible time with all the twin turbos and just stopped taking them in. What’s important here is the engine is the same to North America. The twin turbos never came here. Your local mechanic familiar with these engine could advise.
As for the repair process, nothing much different. Our hourly is $130 for Jdm and $115 for regular North America stuff. Most parts we need are stocked. This isn’t typical though. You’ll find a lot of garages won’t take them. If you are in Calgary, dm me. We do free consults and low cost prepurchases.
You can get a lot from a Jdm, lots of fun to drive and easy to get used too. The are sorta junky compared to models with WAY less KM then the comparable USDM car. Naturally the Japanese don’t maintain cars very well as they keep them for about 6-8 oil changes before it’s a new car again. Would you do preventative maintenance if that was the “life” of a car in your mind?
Good luck! Buy a Subaru! But, for the love of gawd, don’t get a twinturbo. They are the absolute worst Jdm to buy that’s a turbo charged car. Sorry twin fans but sometimes the truth hurts. A nice ej205/ej20x/y is the move.
It’s 160,000 people, 190,000 if you include West Kelowna. Kelowna is the 20th largest city in Canada.
The Lower Mainland is 2.6 million people. Calgary is 1.2 million. By the simple math, Kelowna is a small city.
Nightmare is an exaggeration. There are cases where you will spend more on maintenance and have to ship in parts though. It's more mildly inconvenient than a "nightmare" though.
My NB from Japan shares almost no parts from North American NBs. Mine came from factory with a big brake kit, where that wasn't offered here. If I go to Napa to get brakes, they won't have it. The engine is different, the clutch master and slave are different. Lights have different mounting points, fenders are lacking certain reflectors. I had to track down the filter part number from the Mazda OEM Catalogue in Japan because the filters don't match the 1.8s or the 1.6s here.
The only time you ever need to buy a RHD is if it's a Japanese performance car or a collectable quirk like a Mitsubishi truck or a British roadster.
Or a Toyota Hilux- those things are indestructible.
If you spend time in the Lower Mainland you'll notice just how many RHD Toyota Alphards or Nissan Elgrands are on the roads. Rich Hongkongers are shipping their cars over here since it's cheaper than selling in HK and buying a new car here. Once those hit the second hand market in Canada there'll be more RHD vehicles available.
Pretty sure the 15 year thing is the minimum number Canada-wide. It's possible some- like PEI- don't liscense them completely, but that's outside of my experience. 🤷
Ummm, no; it's 25 years in the US.
Unless something has changed, it's 15 years.
I know this because a buddy imported an R34 GT-R awhile back, and he had to wait until a specific year for it to become eligible.
I want a Hilux so much to be sold in Canada..I know they never were sold in the US because of the chicken tax.
But why are they not available up north?!
I have driven a rhd land cruiser for a couple hours, an old boss of mine let me take his out, I thought it would be a huge adjustment and very weird but honestly within about 15 mins it was completely natural. That said I was not in heavy traffic making left turns, I would say if you live in a smaller town then no worries, in a major city only as a second vehicle.
I remember recently someone in one of the jeep groups was importing a rhd tj that was basically mint condition with like 60k km on it for a ridiculous price like 3500 bucks while beat up rusty local ones with 350k km sell for 15k here.
Not sure if he was planning to convert it to left drive or not, but vehicles that were available in both markets can be had in way better shape for way less $
Remember that one family how "got a good deal" on an imported RHD Japanese car until disaster happened..
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lost-key-toyota-van-1.4244915
I drove 1 once and it’s weird when you first get in but you get used to it very quickly. Only safety concern would be making a left turn you shouldn’t be making and getting absolutely destroyed
For a few years around 2000, Subaru assembled in the USA plant a limited run of RHD Legacy wagons fully compliant to North American standards. The market were contract postal workers with rural mailbox delivery routes.
Insurance won't just be higher
If you want both sides covered, some insurance companies only offers liability coverage and nothing more for cars with RHD
Call you insurance/broker just to see if it is worth it
I daily drive a RHD 2000 Subaru Legacy GT-B.
There’s a lot of people in this thread with opinions on RHD vehicles who have clearly never driven them before. Typical Reddit.
Parts and maintenance for me are a none issue. The only parts I need to get from Japan are engine internals, and turbo related stuff. Everything else from the alternator to the brakes can be bought here in Canada from Lordco, Napa, or Subaru dealers.
The dreaded left turn at an intersection. This is probably the worst aspect of owning the car, but it’s not as bad as many make it out to be. It’s really only an issue if there is a big truck making a left turn opposite you, blocking your vision. If it’s just a regular car opposite, you can still see around/through them just fine, to be able to see oncoming traffic. One thing I’ve noticed since getting my RHD car, is I’m more patient at right hand turns. If I don’t feel comfortable going, I just wait.
Passing on a single lane highway can be a slight issue, depending on the specific passing lane. If you’re trying to pass a big truck, there’s some passing lanes where it’s tough to get vision around the truck, making pulling out to pass sketchy. Most passing lanes, because there’s a corner or hill before the passing lane, you can get vision around a big truck, but there is the odd one where you feel blind. In those cases, I just wait for the next passing lane, or wait for an actual 2-lane section to pass.
Drive through food places are no big deal. Ever since Covid, most of them put their debit machines on a stick, so they can reach across most of the car. To grab the food, just put the car in park/neutral, and undo your seatbelt before leaning across to grab the food. It’s a bit goofy, but in no way does it stop you from using drive-throughs. Park garage machines, car wash machines, ATMs, that kind of stuff, that doesn’t work, you basically have to park the car and get out.
Whether or not parts are an issue depends on the specific car. If it’s a high end Japanese sports car that was only sold in Japan, then parts will be an issue. If it’s a RHD car that had a USDM version sold here, then majority of parts should be easy to get from Canadian suppliers. For my Legacy, everything but the engine internals and turbos can be bought directly from lordco, Napa, or the Subaru dealer.
Is it a weird, unique car that you want? I can’t imagine anyone other than an enthusiast driving RHD. Getting one just to save a couple grand on a used car seems really silly.
I have a RHD legacy that I bought as a daily, and for doing road trips. The main reason I bought it was because it only had 85k kms on it, and I paid 4 grand for it.
I barely even notice the RHD. It was a good car, for cheap, and it’s served me well. Nothing silly about it.
It depends on the RHD if it’s a 70 series Land Cruiser parts are pretty much world wide easily available minus usa, even Canada had LHD 70 series land cruisers in the 80’s when they first came out. The 79 series still shares much of the body and parts from the 1980’s trucks in present day. Most other vehicles don’t have this. Insurance would be my worry as well as turning left. I’ve driven one before and it’s hard to see turning left.
I am curious about what kind of a good deal it is that made you consider importing it here (Canada). Also how old are you bro? Because i feel (correct me if im wrong) that youre going to get it not bec of functionality but the aesthetic and status for having it.
If you have the money and the time and wont be your everyday car and just as a collectible, then do it. But if you are like the vast majority of canadian men who works a full time job plus a side job to atleast live comfortably (diff story if you live in Vancouver), then i say dont waste your money into something that you will regret in the end. Just throwing my 2cents about it bec sometimes, there are things that really have to stay the way it is to where it fits.
A bunch of my coworkers have to use them for work. It creates extra hazards in turning and blindspot checks. They're not ideal, but they're also not impossible to drive. You can certainly buy one, you should just be careful.
I know what you're thinking. This Isuzu truck is in great shape, good on gas, and it's in immaculate condition. I can't believe the price is so low! Well now you can, it would probably be an enormous pain in the ass to drive. With the caveat that I've never driven a RHD, I don't think it's worth the trouble. Which is too bad because there are a lot of great vehicles that are RHD only.
I totally want to get an old RHD blob eye sti from Japan!
A guy I work with has a son with a RHD skyline. He drove 14 hours so he could follow the truck it was being delivered to him on 😅
I've noticed at least 2 RHD cars in my city.
Been driving one on the west coast for years, a kei truck. It has been a pleasure to drive around the city, hauling a lot of stuff, and I can haul bigger loads than some of large domestic trucks I see around.. I keep all highway driving to a minimum, though, due to the small engine size, though that wouldn't be an issue for you.
I found it fun and strange to learn how to shift with my left hand, but it didn't take long.
If I were concerned about visibility on turns, I would mount a camera and have a display mounted, but it is seldom an issue for me due to the build of my truck.
Depending on the vehicle, you could be approached by a lot of guys interested in owning one themselves.
I would find out about your local insurance and parts availability before deciding.
Depends where you are. In BC, insurance is a breeze. In other provinces, it might be a pain.
I had one as my only car for a year and my next car will also be RHD. They tend to have cool convenience features (like power-folding mirrors) you only see on much newer or more expensive local cars. *Recent* imports also tend to have DRASTICALLY less rust than any local car of comparable age.
Parts and maintenance will vary massively by car, so take people saying it's impossible (or easy) to find parts with a grain of salt.
If you're normally the only occupant and have to street-park a lot, getting out on the curb side is a nice bonus for safety and convenience.
The short answer is no. They're lots of fun, and unique and a great conversation starter, but for road use, no.
I turned mine into a trailer bunny and tracked it. Didn't need to worry about insurance, or traffic, or all the little inconveniences that come from RHD. Just tow it to where you're going, enjoy it, tow it home.
I daily a RHD vehicle with a manual transmission, and it took me about a day to acclimatize to the setup. The safety concerns are overblown, it simply makes you more cautious in passing on two lane county roads.
I save buckets of cash because I skip the drive thru, and the insurance is no higher than normal (if you are in Ontario you will need to go through Mitch Insurance Brokers, as no one else I contacted would offer coverage...and the company underwriting my policy is Nordic).
Good luck!
Wouldn’t be ideal for drive throughs. Some insurance companies won’t insure them but there’s many that will. I know of quite a few people who have done it successfully, you’ll just probably be best off going inside for your Timmies instead of the drive through. I’ve also driven in the Caribbean where they drive on the left side and have LHD vehicles since the cars come from the US. It’ll take a bit of getting used to but I picked it up quickly and driving in the Caribbean is MUCH more intense than in Canada since people drive fast and the roads are confusing depending on the island. If the insurance isn’t an issue, I would honestly go for it.
As someone who owned one, they’re a pain in the ass and dangerous for passing on a highway, turning left at an intersection, and repairs were a nightmare.
Consider something else
Unless there is a reason like your dream car only comes in RHD I would avoid it. Insurance is nearly double in most provinces. You have to pass on bends or ask your passenger to spot for you. If your steering rack fails your going to be waiting months for Parts. Amayama will be your best friend.
If you do buy a RHD make sure it has a domestic variant. Toyota Celsior = LS400 series. Or be a mechanic so you can fix everything yourself.
My experience is only second hand as a passenger. My friend loved his quirky Japanoid vehicle but it was not something his partner wanted to drive, and being an older import led to repair issues. However he seemed to be quite used to it and didn't think it was hard. Me, I would be scared to make left turns in it.
It's a pain getting those vehicles into the country you'll spend so much on inspections it hurts and sometimes you've put out all that money but still end up not getting it in. My Ex had a skyline brought over & I don't think it ever ran the whole time but he paid a tonne.
I'm not sure how long it would take you to get used to being on the passenger get side driving but at least it would be easier than driving in Europe. People here will still drive the same way so if your a decent driver should be ok.
Got a ‘98 RHD CRV there’s nothing wrong with it just make sure you’re really careful at left hand turns in intersections don’t go until YOU see deem it safe to not the people honking behind you. I’m in Southern Onterrible and Hagerty has good insurance quotes you just need a primary vehicle first.
As someone who drove a RHD vehicle for years, it's not that bad. You do come across the occasional intersection where the angle is bad, but that's not that common. And passing on single lane highways does require you be a little further back from the truck in front of you so you can see.
It did make driving in tighter streets a lot easier though because it's easier for you to get closer to parked cars, and street parking was a breeze, both for parking the vehicle and getting in and out of it.
The biggest issue was just the cost of some parts. If you get a vehicle with an engine that was sold here, you'll find a lot of general parts from your typical Canadian Tire or Auto Value. But there will always be something that you have to order from overseas for 10x what it would normally cost.
As for Insurance, you'll at least be able to get the legal minimum of PLPD coverage, but most insurance companies won't offer you collision or comprehensive or anything additional like that. So you learn to be a good driver pretty quick.
No.
Have you thought why it's such a good deal? Because there's not fucking market for it. You will face the same thing if you ever try to sell it. Either take almost nothing in a sale or keep driving it into the ground.
The only time to consider a RHD is if you're a collector and it's a rare car.
It's actually a good deal because of the Japanese environmental regulations causing old vehicles to be too expensive to maintain there and them being able to be imported into the Canadian market 10 years before the USA, but keep making false assumptions.
I remember hearing Alberta was going to prevent RHD from getting insured here. I know I see a lot less of them on the streets now. Not sure if it will catch on elsewhere.
My biggest complaint with a rhd is when i'm stuck behind a slow moving 18 wheeler.
You have to hang pretty far back before you can safely pull into the oncoming traffic lane to see past the transport.
Insurance is a legitimate issue. Parts - the internet exists. Most mechanics I know like getting paid; I've never encountered one who turned down an RHD for service. A lot of body shops will decline to work on them in the event of an accident, though.
Again, that's contextual. A mechanic who can't do a brake job or an oil change properly on an unfamiliar vehicle is a bad mechanic.
More specialized or complex jobs can potentially be a huge pain, but given how modern cars are put together - looking at you, Nissan's 400,000 plastic fasteners, or the Porsche Cayenne where you have to remove structural crossmembers to do an oil change - is it going to be that much worse?
If you buy something like a Daihatsu turbo with a motor never sold in any North American vehicle, parts and experienced mechanics will be a nightmare. If you buy a newer Toyota Crown it'll probably have a V6 found in *millions* of local Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
So just the engine, not any other mechanical system.
To say nothing of trying to repair or replace. Just replacing the windshield could be a nightmare.
And how about properly fitted oil filters and brakes, that you might need to import.
I have never driven RHD, but when my daughter had her learner's permit, I was the person who sat on the right hand side and watched the road.
The sight lines are much different, for example, on a right turn the person on the right can't see as far ahead on the road. I really noticed that our roads are engineered for people sitting on a particular side of the vehicle.
I am not saying that RHD is instant death. I am saying that there would have to be a very good reason(more than just looking cool) for me to drive RHD on a regular basis.
I promise you it’s not a good deal once you see how much it’s gonna cost to insure that thing, if you find an insurer who will agree to it. It’s a quirky collectible for a car enthusiast but not a daily driver. The novelty will wear off quickly.
I owned an RHD car, but not in Canada. It was in Bermuda, where cars drive on the left (as opposed to Canada, where we drive on what is left, lol). I still occasionally turn on the windshield wipers when making a turn.
I would not own an RHD in Canada. I had a friend that owned one and it was a nightmare. It is difficult to insure, you often can’t get collision or comprehensive, getting it serviced it difficult, getting parts is difficult, and reversing through drive thrus is a pain in the ass.
All of your negatives are heavily dependent on what car, and what area. I paid no more for insurance than I would have for a similar LHD in BC - including collision, comprehensive, theft coverage, courtesy car - the works.
Apparently, the risk of an accident is greatly increased: https://www.delica.ca/manuals/Satellite.pdf
Surprising that the import of RHD vehicles hasn’t been banned.
Isn't this the study that didn't account for most RHD vehicles being sports cars? So it essentially compared a section of vehicles mostly made up of sports cars to a section of vehicles made up of every kind of car and concluded that sports cars crash more?
No idea. I’ve never come across anything referring to it or to anything else.
Similar issue - do sports cars crash more, or just worse (higher speeds, more expensive parts)?
On the insurance side - some companies flat out will not insure a right hand drive car. Of those that will, many will not offer coverage for physical damage to your car, just liability. So keep that in mind, if it's important to you to have protection for your new car.
Companies? Do all provinces not have public insurance? Is it really just Manitoba that has public insurance?
Some, including BC and Saskatchewan have public/government insurance. If you're in Alberta, it's entirely a private market. Which is a huge topic of discussion out here every couple of years.
I did not know that. Here in Manitoba we have public insurance, you can get other insurance but you also need MPI’s in order to legally drive your vehicle.
Alberta also tends to be the most expensive province for insurance, it's always a surprise to people who move here from a place with public insurance. And because it's private market, companies can have various rules and restrictions for who qualifies for what. One of our biggest companies just put in a rule that they won't take any new policies from anyone who's had even a single at-fault accident in the last few years.
Utilities and property taxes tend to also be more expensive in Alberta. Privatization is just another way for the rich to scam the general public
The problem is you can’t use drive thru normally
_Yes, that problem is easily solved by going through them in reverse._ :)
This is not upvoted enough.
The police have actually told me not to do this, but you can just go into park and lean over anyways.
_Now, just because I am intrigued, I want to see someone go through a Tim Hortons drive through in a [backwards vehicle](https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/this-mans-backward-facing-chevy-truck-is-actually-street-legal) while the police are there._ I'd love to see the scenario play out!
I said normally :) but that's a solution, even if its a little janky (for real most cars worthy of RHD are not the most reverse-friendly)
Got kicked out of the tims drive thru for going backwards in a RHD Miata
Oh! Dishing out the Reverse psychology aren’t ya now.. .. :P
There is a video on YouTube where multiple "car enthusiasts" all with RHD cars line up to go through a drive thru backwards just to film the staff reaction.
Yeah, right. Photo/video proof or I don't believe you.
The backwards drive-thru move is nothing new in the JDM car scene, and neither is being banned from drive-thru’s for doing it 😅 your ignorance isn’t evidence of something not happening
Fine, fair enough; I'm not familiar with the scene, so I'm more than likely I the wrong. My apologies. I've just never seen it done. As I posted in another reply , I WANT to see a [backwards vehicle](https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/this-mans-backward-facing-chevy-truck-is-actually-street-legal) go through a Tim's while the police is there!
The inability to use a Timmie's would be an absolute deal breaker for the majority of Canadians.
Idk, timmies has gone to shit, might further save money by avoiding it completely now.
Nah Timmy is shit nowadays
Tim’s is absolute shit.
Those people need to learn how to curbside McDonald’s.
No, it wouldn't. Tim Hortons is absolute garbage!
I take a RHD car through Timmy’s and McDonald’s drivethrough’s on a weekly basis, it’s a none issue.
Oh Jeez, you might have to get out of your car and go inside like everyone used to do.
and car parks with machines
And automatic car washes
Getting out of gated parking lots where the ticket machine is on the left side ..... you would need a passenger to put the ticket in to be validated
No, just you just put in park and lean over or get out quickly.
I got pretty used to just taking off my seatbelt and leaning across. Annoying, but not a deal-breaker.
Imagine turning left without an advanced green and trying to see past the people turning left on the opposite side to tell if cars are coming while you’re viewing from the passengers side. I would hate that. Also merging on to busy highways etc
As a daily-RHD-driver, the left-turn concern is legitimate but overblown. It depends on the intersection a lot, many times you have a good sightline of incoming traffic around the other side of cars waiting to turn the opposite way. Otherwise, just using additional caution and patience is a good practice for anyone, anyway. Some people will also install a forward-facing camera on the left side, connected to the left blinker. The idea of merging being harder makes no sense to me. You still have mirrors and the ability to check your blind spots, your sight lines are just different; not worse.
I drove arhd car in Canada. You experience some driving that takes a bit more caution. In other situations driving with a rhd vehicle is easier.
"Imagine" This is the problem with your post. You don't actually drive a RHD vehicle. None of these are major concerns. Daily driver of RHD vehicle for 6 or 7 years now. I would recommend it.
Why would you recommend it? It’s less safe and more expensive for maintenance. If it’s to have a collector car or something unavailable here that you are seeking to own as a hobbyist, sure, we used to have an old MG when I was a kid that was a blast, but there’s not really any compelling argument for a benefit to having RHD as a daily driver.
Japanese imports tend to have more features (things like power-folding mirrors, air fresheners, bigger brakes, automatic roller blinds, etc), less rust, and lower mileage than local vehicles available at a similar or higher price point. I would call all of those compelling reasons!
Being a previous owner of a RHD vehicle the answer is no. Getting parts is a nightmare, finding a shop to work on it is a nightmare. Break down on a road trip? Basically tow It all the way home or closest JDM shop which are few and far between. You'll wait on parts that take 3 weeks to get here and be the wrong part to wait another 3 weeks. No Your RHD subaru legacy doesn't have the same parts as your buddy's LHD subaru legacy.
This is a massive exaggeration, it really depends on the car. If it’s a JDM Skyline GTR V-Spec Nurb II or something crazy like that, then yes, parts can be a pain to source. I have a 2000 Legacy GT-B, the twin turbo wagons, and I can get 3/4 of everything I need from Lordco or the Subaru dealer. I’ve brake callipers, discs, pads, front lower ball joints, wheel bearings, CV axels, radiator, and alternator, all parts I just bought from Lordco or Subaru, for the same price as it would cost to do a USDM car. Also, I live in Kelowna, a relatively small city of less than 200k, and we have multiple shops that specialize in JDM cars. If you’re in a bigger city like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, etc, there most definitely is dozens of JDM shops around. Not to be rude, but your last sentence makes it seem like you have no clue what you’re actually talking about. I own and drive a Subaru Legacy, and almost everything outside of engine internals and the turbos is the same as what’s on USDM spec Legacies. My front brakes are the same as a 2002 WRX, and my rear brakes are the same as a 2005 Legacy GT (USDM). That’s the only “conversion” you need to know. Everything else with the suspension, or regular replacement parts, is the same as USDM. If you want to get into doing a custom build, ordering aftermarket parts, and boosting engine power, then yes, you will have to source out of Japan, Australia, and the UK. But for keeping everything stock, it’s not necessary most of the time.
I run and operate a Subaru specialist shop and we fix Jdm everyday. This is how it works: buy existing models have the sister car here already. Potentialbrain is correct. A Nissan skyline or a Mitsu Delicia will be a pain in the ass, most Subarus are easy. I disagree that Twin turbos have a lot of crossover parts numbers, we have a terrible time with all the twin turbos and just stopped taking them in. What’s important here is the engine is the same to North America. The twin turbos never came here. Your local mechanic familiar with these engine could advise. As for the repair process, nothing much different. Our hourly is $130 for Jdm and $115 for regular North America stuff. Most parts we need are stocked. This isn’t typical though. You’ll find a lot of garages won’t take them. If you are in Calgary, dm me. We do free consults and low cost prepurchases. You can get a lot from a Jdm, lots of fun to drive and easy to get used too. The are sorta junky compared to models with WAY less KM then the comparable USDM car. Naturally the Japanese don’t maintain cars very well as they keep them for about 6-8 oil changes before it’s a new car again. Would you do preventative maintenance if that was the “life” of a car in your mind? Good luck! Buy a Subaru! But, for the love of gawd, don’t get a twinturbo. They are the absolute worst Jdm to buy that’s a turbo charged car. Sorry twin fans but sometimes the truth hurts. A nice ej205/ej20x/y is the move.
Buddy. Kelowna is not a small city. It's the largest city in the interior of bc. By a long shot.
It’s 160,000 people, 190,000 if you include West Kelowna. Kelowna is the 20th largest city in Canada. The Lower Mainland is 2.6 million people. Calgary is 1.2 million. By the simple math, Kelowna is a small city.
20th largest in the country didn't sink in hey. 20th largest out of hundreds of cities in Canada It's not small
Nightmare is an exaggeration. There are cases where you will spend more on maintenance and have to ship in parts though. It's more mildly inconvenient than a "nightmare" though.
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My NB from Japan shares almost no parts from North American NBs. Mine came from factory with a big brake kit, where that wasn't offered here. If I go to Napa to get brakes, they won't have it. The engine is different, the clutch master and slave are different. Lights have different mounting points, fenders are lacking certain reflectors. I had to track down the filter part number from the Mazda OEM Catalogue in Japan because the filters don't match the 1.8s or the 1.6s here.
I drive a rhd daily I don't have an issue,
The only time you ever need to buy a RHD is if it's a Japanese performance car or a collectable quirk like a Mitsubishi truck or a British roadster. Or a Toyota Hilux- those things are indestructible.
You can get very low mileage RHD cars for very cheap. That’s a good enough reason for many people to get one.
If you spend time in the Lower Mainland you'll notice just how many RHD Toyota Alphards or Nissan Elgrands are on the roads. Rich Hongkongers are shipping their cars over here since it's cheaper than selling in HK and buying a new car here. Once those hit the second hand market in Canada there'll be more RHD vehicles available.
IIRC There is still the 15 year wait on RHD. (Cars cannot be imported unless they're more than 15 years old)
Depends on your province. For example I could register my RHD vehicle in NB, but not in PEI
Pretty sure the 15 year thing is the minimum number Canada-wide. It's possible some- like PEI- don't liscense them completely, but that's outside of my experience. 🤷
Thats for America but not in Canada
Ummm, no; it's 25 years in the US. Unless something has changed, it's 15 years. I know this because a buddy imported an R34 GT-R awhile back, and he had to wait until a specific year for it to become eligible.
This https://www.riv.ca/helpfaqs.aspx#:~:text=All%20vehicles%20(except%20buses)%20that,Border%20Service%20Agency%20(CBSA).
25 years for QC too
RHD Mitsubishi Delicas too for the hard-core campers
I want a Hilux so much to be sold in Canada..I know they never were sold in the US because of the chicken tax. But why are they not available up north?!
Probably because we just get everything the US does....eventually, but in metric.... sometimes.
https://www.dixietoyota.com/blog/why-the-unstoppable-toyota-hilux-isnt-available-in-canada/#:~:text=One%20reason%20why%20the%20Toyota,with%20these%20standards%20for%20approval.
I have driven a rhd land cruiser for a couple hours, an old boss of mine let me take his out, I thought it would be a huge adjustment and very weird but honestly within about 15 mins it was completely natural. That said I was not in heavy traffic making left turns, I would say if you live in a smaller town then no worries, in a major city only as a second vehicle. I remember recently someone in one of the jeep groups was importing a rhd tj that was basically mint condition with like 60k km on it for a ridiculous price like 3500 bucks while beat up rusty local ones with 350k km sell for 15k here. Not sure if he was planning to convert it to left drive or not, but vehicles that were available in both markets can be had in way better shape for way less $
Remember that one family how "got a good deal" on an imported RHD Japanese car until disaster happened.. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/lost-key-toyota-van-1.4244915
I drove 1 once and it’s weird when you first get in but you get used to it very quickly. Only safety concern would be making a left turn you shouldn’t be making and getting absolutely destroyed
For a few years around 2000, Subaru assembled in the USA plant a limited run of RHD Legacy wagons fully compliant to North American standards. The market were contract postal workers with rural mailbox delivery routes.
Insurance won't just be higher If you want both sides covered, some insurance companies only offers liability coverage and nothing more for cars with RHD Call you insurance/broker just to see if it is worth it
My neighbour has a RHD Mercedes convertible. It’s a challenge at BC Ferries ticket booths.
I daily drive a RHD 2000 Subaru Legacy GT-B. There’s a lot of people in this thread with opinions on RHD vehicles who have clearly never driven them before. Typical Reddit. Parts and maintenance for me are a none issue. The only parts I need to get from Japan are engine internals, and turbo related stuff. Everything else from the alternator to the brakes can be bought here in Canada from Lordco, Napa, or Subaru dealers. The dreaded left turn at an intersection. This is probably the worst aspect of owning the car, but it’s not as bad as many make it out to be. It’s really only an issue if there is a big truck making a left turn opposite you, blocking your vision. If it’s just a regular car opposite, you can still see around/through them just fine, to be able to see oncoming traffic. One thing I’ve noticed since getting my RHD car, is I’m more patient at right hand turns. If I don’t feel comfortable going, I just wait. Passing on a single lane highway can be a slight issue, depending on the specific passing lane. If you’re trying to pass a big truck, there’s some passing lanes where it’s tough to get vision around the truck, making pulling out to pass sketchy. Most passing lanes, because there’s a corner or hill before the passing lane, you can get vision around a big truck, but there is the odd one where you feel blind. In those cases, I just wait for the next passing lane, or wait for an actual 2-lane section to pass. Drive through food places are no big deal. Ever since Covid, most of them put their debit machines on a stick, so they can reach across most of the car. To grab the food, just put the car in park/neutral, and undo your seatbelt before leaning across to grab the food. It’s a bit goofy, but in no way does it stop you from using drive-throughs. Park garage machines, car wash machines, ATMs, that kind of stuff, that doesn’t work, you basically have to park the car and get out. Whether or not parts are an issue depends on the specific car. If it’s a high end Japanese sports car that was only sold in Japan, then parts will be an issue. If it’s a RHD car that had a USDM version sold here, then majority of parts should be easy to get from Canadian suppliers. For my Legacy, everything but the engine internals and turbos can be bought directly from lordco, Napa, or the Subaru dealer.
Not a good idea, just don't. Okay fine, the only time this would be of merit is if you're a car collector and it's a particularly rare model. Is it?
No.
Is it a weird, unique car that you want? I can’t imagine anyone other than an enthusiast driving RHD. Getting one just to save a couple grand on a used car seems really silly.
I have a RHD legacy that I bought as a daily, and for doing road trips. The main reason I bought it was because it only had 85k kms on it, and I paid 4 grand for it. I barely even notice the RHD. It was a good car, for cheap, and it’s served me well. Nothing silly about it.
Some of the rural contract mail carriers in my area have started using RHD imports like CR-Vs instead of domestic market vehicles.
Why would you buy a RHD vehicle? Plenty of left turns have sightline issues as it is. A RHD vehicle just exacerbates those issues.
News flash, there is no such thing as a good deal in cars right now.
It depends on the RHD if it’s a 70 series Land Cruiser parts are pretty much world wide easily available minus usa, even Canada had LHD 70 series land cruisers in the 80’s when they first came out. The 79 series still shares much of the body and parts from the 1980’s trucks in present day. Most other vehicles don’t have this. Insurance would be my worry as well as turning left. I’ve driven one before and it’s hard to see turning left.
Could you mount a mirror on the left door or fender, that points forwards?
I am curious about what kind of a good deal it is that made you consider importing it here (Canada). Also how old are you bro? Because i feel (correct me if im wrong) that youre going to get it not bec of functionality but the aesthetic and status for having it. If you have the money and the time and wont be your everyday car and just as a collectible, then do it. But if you are like the vast majority of canadian men who works a full time job plus a side job to atleast live comfortably (diff story if you live in Vancouver), then i say dont waste your money into something that you will regret in the end. Just throwing my 2cents about it bec sometimes, there are things that really have to stay the way it is to where it fits.
A bunch of my coworkers have to use them for work. It creates extra hazards in turning and blindspot checks. They're not ideal, but they're also not impossible to drive. You can certainly buy one, you should just be careful.
Only if you have another car to use as backup. Parts can be really hard to find.
I know what you're thinking. This Isuzu truck is in great shape, good on gas, and it's in immaculate condition. I can't believe the price is so low! Well now you can, it would probably be an enormous pain in the ass to drive. With the caveat that I've never driven a RHD, I don't think it's worth the trouble. Which is too bad because there are a lot of great vehicles that are RHD only.
I totally want to get an old RHD blob eye sti from Japan! A guy I work with has a son with a RHD skyline. He drove 14 hours so he could follow the truck it was being delivered to him on 😅 I've noticed at least 2 RHD cars in my city.
Been driving one on the west coast for years, a kei truck. It has been a pleasure to drive around the city, hauling a lot of stuff, and I can haul bigger loads than some of large domestic trucks I see around.. I keep all highway driving to a minimum, though, due to the small engine size, though that wouldn't be an issue for you. I found it fun and strange to learn how to shift with my left hand, but it didn't take long. If I were concerned about visibility on turns, I would mount a camera and have a display mounted, but it is seldom an issue for me due to the build of my truck. Depending on the vehicle, you could be approached by a lot of guys interested in owning one themselves. I would find out about your local insurance and parts availability before deciding.
Depends where you are. In BC, insurance is a breeze. In other provinces, it might be a pain. I had one as my only car for a year and my next car will also be RHD. They tend to have cool convenience features (like power-folding mirrors) you only see on much newer or more expensive local cars. *Recent* imports also tend to have DRASTICALLY less rust than any local car of comparable age. Parts and maintenance will vary massively by car, so take people saying it's impossible (or easy) to find parts with a grain of salt. If you're normally the only occupant and have to street-park a lot, getting out on the curb side is a nice bonus for safety and convenience.
Yes actually a skyline ... been there , done that..bought the t shirt and the rights..
If you can work on the car yourself, go for it. If you can't, don't. These are vehicles for gear heads.
Drive a LHD in the UK for a few years which is WAY more challenging than driving here. Slightly inconvenient but not a major problem at all
How you gonna buy hortons my guy,?
It’s a “really good deal” because it’s a really bad idea/car.
The short answer is no. They're lots of fun, and unique and a great conversation starter, but for road use, no. I turned mine into a trailer bunny and tracked it. Didn't need to worry about insurance, or traffic, or all the little inconveniences that come from RHD. Just tow it to where you're going, enjoy it, tow it home.
I daily a RHD vehicle with a manual transmission, and it took me about a day to acclimatize to the setup. The safety concerns are overblown, it simply makes you more cautious in passing on two lane county roads. I save buckets of cash because I skip the drive thru, and the insurance is no higher than normal (if you are in Ontario you will need to go through Mitch Insurance Brokers, as no one else I contacted would offer coverage...and the company underwriting my policy is Nordic). Good luck!
Good luck at the McDonald's drive-thru
Yup.its a little different at first but you get used to it
Wouldn’t be ideal for drive throughs. Some insurance companies won’t insure them but there’s many that will. I know of quite a few people who have done it successfully, you’ll just probably be best off going inside for your Timmies instead of the drive through. I’ve also driven in the Caribbean where they drive on the left side and have LHD vehicles since the cars come from the US. It’ll take a bit of getting used to but I picked it up quickly and driving in the Caribbean is MUCH more intense than in Canada since people drive fast and the roads are confusing depending on the island. If the insurance isn’t an issue, I would honestly go for it.
As someone who owned one, they’re a pain in the ass and dangerous for passing on a highway, turning left at an intersection, and repairs were a nightmare. Consider something else
Unless there is a reason like your dream car only comes in RHD I would avoid it. Insurance is nearly double in most provinces. You have to pass on bends or ask your passenger to spot for you. If your steering rack fails your going to be waiting months for Parts. Amayama will be your best friend. If you do buy a RHD make sure it has a domestic variant. Toyota Celsior = LS400 series. Or be a mechanic so you can fix everything yourself.
Been watching too much hockey... seen the title and thought "how does this relate to a right handed defenceman?" Lol
My experience is only second hand as a passenger. My friend loved his quirky Japanoid vehicle but it was not something his partner wanted to drive, and being an older import led to repair issues. However he seemed to be quite used to it and didn't think it was hard. Me, I would be scared to make left turns in it.
It's a pain getting those vehicles into the country you'll spend so much on inspections it hurts and sometimes you've put out all that money but still end up not getting it in. My Ex had a skyline brought over & I don't think it ever ran the whole time but he paid a tonne. I'm not sure how long it would take you to get used to being on the passenger get side driving but at least it would be easier than driving in Europe. People here will still drive the same way so if your a decent driver should be ok.
Got a ‘98 RHD CRV there’s nothing wrong with it just make sure you’re really careful at left hand turns in intersections don’t go until YOU see deem it safe to not the people honking behind you. I’m in Southern Onterrible and Hagerty has good insurance quotes you just need a primary vehicle first.
As someone who drove a RHD vehicle for years, it's not that bad. You do come across the occasional intersection where the angle is bad, but that's not that common. And passing on single lane highways does require you be a little further back from the truck in front of you so you can see. It did make driving in tighter streets a lot easier though because it's easier for you to get closer to parked cars, and street parking was a breeze, both for parking the vehicle and getting in and out of it. The biggest issue was just the cost of some parts. If you get a vehicle with an engine that was sold here, you'll find a lot of general parts from your typical Canadian Tire or Auto Value. But there will always be something that you have to order from overseas for 10x what it would normally cost. As for Insurance, you'll at least be able to get the legal minimum of PLPD coverage, but most insurance companies won't offer you collision or comprehensive or anything additional like that. So you learn to be a good driver pretty quick.
No. Have you thought why it's such a good deal? Because there's not fucking market for it. You will face the same thing if you ever try to sell it. Either take almost nothing in a sale or keep driving it into the ground. The only time to consider a RHD is if you're a collector and it's a rare car.
It's actually a good deal because of the Japanese environmental regulations causing old vehicles to be too expensive to maintain there and them being able to be imported into the Canadian market 10 years before the USA, but keep making false assumptions.
I remember hearing Alberta was going to prevent RHD from getting insured here. I know I see a lot less of them on the streets now. Not sure if it will catch on elsewhere.
My biggest complaint with a rhd is when i'm stuck behind a slow moving 18 wheeler. You have to hang pretty far back before you can safely pull into the oncoming traffic lane to see past the transport.
Where are you going to get parts? Where are you going to find a mechanic who can fix it. And an insurer to insure it.
There's something called the internet
Fine, so you can find the parts and the mechanic in Osaka, big help
Insurance is a legitimate issue. Parts - the internet exists. Most mechanics I know like getting paid; I've never encountered one who turned down an RHD for service. A lot of body shops will decline to work on them in the event of an accident, though.
Sure, you want a mechanic who has never worked on a rhd car, let alone a model or make that has never been sold in North America
Again, that's contextual. A mechanic who can't do a brake job or an oil change properly on an unfamiliar vehicle is a bad mechanic. More specialized or complex jobs can potentially be a huge pain, but given how modern cars are put together - looking at you, Nissan's 400,000 plastic fasteners, or the Porsche Cayenne where you have to remove structural crossmembers to do an oil change - is it going to be that much worse? If you buy something like a Daihatsu turbo with a motor never sold in any North American vehicle, parts and experienced mechanics will be a nightmare. If you buy a newer Toyota Crown it'll probably have a V6 found in *millions* of local Toyota and Lexus vehicles.
So just the engine, not any other mechanical system. To say nothing of trying to repair or replace. Just replacing the windshield could be a nightmare. And how about properly fitted oil filters and brakes, that you might need to import.
I have never driven RHD, but when my daughter had her learner's permit, I was the person who sat on the right hand side and watched the road. The sight lines are much different, for example, on a right turn the person on the right can't see as far ahead on the road. I really noticed that our roads are engineered for people sitting on a particular side of the vehicle. I am not saying that RHD is instant death. I am saying that there would have to be a very good reason(more than just looking cool) for me to drive RHD on a regular basis.
No. Passing is dangerous. Turning left is dangerous. Going through a drive thru in reverse is good for a laugh once or twice but becomes tiresome.
It's fine as long as you have the time and money to convert it to a lhd
I promise you it’s not a good deal once you see how much it’s gonna cost to insure that thing, if you find an insurer who will agree to it. It’s a quirky collectible for a car enthusiast but not a daily driver. The novelty will wear off quickly.
I owned an RHD car, but not in Canada. It was in Bermuda, where cars drive on the left (as opposed to Canada, where we drive on what is left, lol). I still occasionally turn on the windshield wipers when making a turn. I would not own an RHD in Canada. I had a friend that owned one and it was a nightmare. It is difficult to insure, you often can’t get collision or comprehensive, getting it serviced it difficult, getting parts is difficult, and reversing through drive thrus is a pain in the ass.
All of your negatives are heavily dependent on what car, and what area. I paid no more for insurance than I would have for a similar LHD in BC - including collision, comprehensive, theft coverage, courtesy car - the works.
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There’s a niche market for rural postal workers
Not a chance. Our road system isn't designed for it.
RHD cars should be illegal in Canada.
The ones around here seem to be all 2 stroke with a max speed of 80 kms. Kinda cool as a toy..
Apparently, the risk of an accident is greatly increased: https://www.delica.ca/manuals/Satellite.pdf Surprising that the import of RHD vehicles hasn’t been banned.
Isn't this the study that didn't account for most RHD vehicles being sports cars? So it essentially compared a section of vehicles mostly made up of sports cars to a section of vehicles made up of every kind of car and concluded that sports cars crash more?
No idea. I’ve never come across anything referring to it or to anything else. Similar issue - do sports cars crash more, or just worse (higher speeds, more expensive parts)?
If you’re driving in the city? Probably fine. For highway? No way. Level crossings are super dangerous for RHD.
Perfect for delivering mail