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RIght Hand Driving in USA?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Seaninhongkong, Apr 25, 2015.

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  1. Seaninhongkong

    Seaninhongkong Karting

    Sep 8, 2014
    85
    Chicago USA
    Full Name:
    Sean
    #1 Seaninhongkong, Apr 25, 2015
    Hi all, I'm wondering would it make any sense to import my current RHD 599 from Hong Kong to Chicago? I'm moving to Chicago in June. I.m wondering if I can't sell the car here for a reasonable price here should I just ship it over.

    Details:
    2007 599 GTB + dealer installed HGTB package
    Red exterior, black inside
    Factory roll bar
    Lots of carbon fiber
    30,000 KLM
    Good service history
    Under Ferrari power warranty until October 2015

    Market conditions here, I will need to sell arounud u.s. $ 130 k - 140 k. In the U.S. From what I can tell, a similar car seems to be around $ 175k.

    Is it even legal to drive RHD in the U.S.? Anyone else here every do this? Is there a resale market in the U.S. For this car later at some point? Will it be weird driving in the right seat in the U.S.?

    Thanks in advance for any advice!
     
  2. centerfireman

    centerfireman Formula Junior
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    Feb 23, 2015
    454
    Roseville, CA
    #2 centerfireman, Apr 25, 2015
    I drove a RHD Lotus for 6 years as a daily driver and it was not a problem at all (except when handing over money at a toll booth!). It is definitely legal and really doesn't feel odd or weird after a very brief period of adjustment. I think resale value for a RHD car is noticeably less in the US.
     
  3. Flash G

    Flash G Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 24, 2006
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    #3 Flash G, Apr 25, 2015
    Totally legal. Just remember to keep on the right side of the road. ;)

    My father is also from a country that drives on the lefthand side of the road. When we moved here, my father was driving home from work on Wilshire Blvd late at night in the opposite lane of traffic in his righthand drive Rover. An LAPD officer furiously tried to catch up to him to stop him. He finally pulled him over before he hit anyone. The officer immediately understood when he saw where the steering wheel was and heard my dad's accent. He never did it again.
     
  4. Tire Fryer

    Tire Fryer Karting

    Feb 18, 2013
    154
    Farmers Branch, TX
    Full Name:
    Christopher Williams
    #4 Tire Fryer, Apr 25, 2015
    I drive my RHD Rolls-Royce all the time. Its pretty easy, and perfectly legal. The only difficulty I have found is when making a left hand turn at the crest of a hill, you're further away from oncoming traffic, so your vision is a bit limited.
     
  5. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
    Staff Member Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 1, 2002
    18,069
    San Marino, CA
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    L. Wayne Ausbrooks
    #5 El Wayne, Apr 26, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2015
    There's no question about what you should do: sell it in HK. A gray-market, RHD car won't sell for anywhere near $175k here. And once you take into consideration the headache and expense of not only shipping, but of dealing with getting it past DOT/NHTSA requirements, you're much better off selling it where it is.

    This will give you some idea of what you're up against: Importation and Certification FAQ's Directory--All Vehicles

    Here is the key:

    1. Ferrari will not provide you with any such letter.

    2. For a registered importer (RI) to demonstrate that the RHD vehicle will comply, they must conduct crash tests with that particular model. This is how cars such as the Skyline have been able to make it through - RIs that specialize in bringing them into the U.S. performed the necessary crash tests, determined what modifications were needed based on those tests, and then performed further tests on modified vehicles. They did this at a great deal of expense because importing Skylines are their business. I doubt any RIs have crash-tested 599 GTBs, however.

    3. 150% of the declared value of a 599 GTB is a lot of money.

    As for the people who have posted that in this thread that they own and drive RHD cars here, I would assume that their cars are 25 years old or older.

    centerfireman: Did you import the Lotus? Is it an actual production Lotus, or something that qualifies as a "kit car" like the Caterham?
     
  6. Seaninhongkong

    Seaninhongkong Karting

    Sep 8, 2014
    85
    Chicago USA
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    Sean
    #6 Seaninhongkong, Apr 26, 2015
    ElWayne, thank you, you have convinced me. I'm dropping it off at the local 2nd hand shop and crossing my fingers. Appreciate your detailed reply.
     
  7. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    #7 El Wayne, Apr 26, 2015
    No problem. Best of luck to you!
     
  8. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 10, 2005
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    #8 PAP 348, Apr 26, 2015
    Yep, definitely sell it there and buy another one in the US if you like.

    Doing so will save you A LOT of hassle and headaches.

    Good luck with the move, hope all goes well for you.
     
  9. Seaninhongkong

    Seaninhongkong Karting

    Sep 8, 2014
    85
    Chicago USA
    Full Name:
    Sean
    #9 Seaninhongkong, Apr 26, 2015
    PAP348 and El Wayne,

    Appreciate the advice. I dropped to car today at a local 2nd hand dealer on consignment. Your both right.

    Live to drive another day!

    Cheers,

    Sean
     
  10. 123howie

    123howie F1 World Champ

    Jul 3, 2014
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    #10 123howie, Apr 29, 2015
    At a busy intersection how do you see the oncoming traffic to safely make your left turn?
     
  11. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    #11 David_S, Apr 29, 2015
    Same way the folks driving Mail delivery vehicles do it - carefully!
     
  12. Stevenb

    Stevenb F1 Rookie

    Aug 5, 2012
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    #12 Stevenb, Apr 29, 2015
    I def would not sell it the US. Youll take a heavy hit because of rhd. The car wont sell anywhere near 175
     
  13. BJJ

    BJJ Formula 3
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    Feb 25, 2014
    1,301
    #13 BJJ, Apr 29, 2015
    Would it perhaps be an idea to have it shipped to the UK and to sell it there? Since it is a EU-make, I believe that reduced import duties/taxes apply.

    I note that prices in the UK seem somewhat äh bold.

    Many cars are imported from Japan to Germany by dealers and then offered on the German market. It seems to be a good business. Maybe the same from Hong Kong?
     
  14. Seaninhongkong

    Seaninhongkong Karting

    Sep 8, 2014
    85
    Chicago USA
    Full Name:
    Sean
    #14 Seaninhongkong, May 11, 2015
    BJJ

    Interesting idea. Thank you.
     

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