Buying Left Hand Drive

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Sun 8 Oct 2006 22:31
Buying Left Hand Drive - geoff1248
Some of my relatives are retiring to France and will be needing a brand new LHD car. They have already decided on the make and model (which will be French by the way} but could do with some advice. Can UK based dealers/brokers obtain LHD models and would they be cheaper than buying one in France? Do new car brokers exist in France or are they unique to the UK? Are cars generally cheaper in France than over here?
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Mon 9 Oct 2006 08:15
Buying Left Hand Drive - Collos25
Buy it in Denmark.
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Mon 9 Oct 2006 11:04
Buying Left Hand Drive - aahbarnes
Depending on where you pay the tax (VAT in this country) the price will be different. In Denmark the tax is about 100%, so the pretax price is lower. As a foreigner you buy at this pretax price, then pay the tax on arrival in your own country.

If the tax is lower in france than the UK, it might be best registering it there in the first instance.
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Mon 9 Oct 2006 11:26
Buying Left Hand Drive - mike hannon
Why don't they just use their existing car for a couple of months and buy what they want in France? New car prices are still - just about - below the UK and there won't be any re-registering hassle.
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Mon 9 Oct 2006 12:19
Buying Left Hand Drive - wemyss
Personally I would keep my RHD car. Drive every year on the continent with it and have no problems whatsoever.
When I go on holiday and hire a LHD even after a fortnight I'm still struggling to adapt.
After 50 years with the gearlever on my left I seem to have a mindblock when changing over.
However others seem to have no problem.
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Mon 9 Oct 2006 13:02
Buying Left Hand Drive - aahbarnes
I find it much safer to drive a LHD car on the continent. No problems with seeing whats coming at roundabout and when overtaking etc. Personally i get used to it within an hour, only problem is finding the handbrake sometimes!
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