Topic: RHD Vehicles

[k_LX]

I currently have an 00' 2.5 RS, but now I'm looking at a 92' JDM WRX and of course it's RHD.  My question is how would I go abouts driving this on the highway?  Since I am unsure on how to pass people without getting hit by oncoming traffic.  Any opinions would be awesome!  

[spanky]

do a 2.0L SWAP ON YOUR RS

[JDM69]

I cannot think of 1 good reason to buy a RHD Subaru.

[Perfect Dark]

Mount a camera on the front passenger side of the car so you can get the nose out a bit and see whats coming?

[Sean]

Slowly drift out into the lane to scope it out before you pass.

I cannot think of 1 good reason to buy a RHD Subaru.

1. cost - cheap = lots of mod money

2. there was no 1993-2002 turbo'd imprezas, so there's the exclusiveness.

3. would make a much cheaper track or rally car than a north american impreza

4. it's from Japan - that has to account for something

5. JDM cars are beginning to get popular (if that's your thing)

[silent]

Slowly drift out into the lane to scope it out before you pass.

I cannot think of 1 good reason to buy a RHD Subaru.

1. cost - cheap = lots of mod money

Lots of repair money.  Ask those JDM WRX guys how much they have put into their cars to fix various issues.

2. there was no 1993-2002 turbo'd imprezas, so there's the exclusiveness.

Swap

3. would make a much cheaper track or rally car than a north american impreza

True, but that's a track or rally car.

4. it's from Japan - that has to account for something

Designed for another market, with different fuel and different lifestyles in mind.  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

[k_LX]

Hello everyone!

I would like to start off by saying thanks for replying to my post! 

1)  I was looking at a swap, but where would I be able to get it done? 
2)  Where would I be able to purchase the engine? I went to the torontojdm website, but I will only ship the engine to Alberta if it's my only choice.
3)  Is there a way to just change out my engine and just leave my tranny or would that be a bad idea?

Thanks again everyone for replying!

[silent]

http://www.rs25.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=128

The stickies in that forum are very helpful.  RS25 contains everything you'll need to know when it comes to swapping.

[k_LX]

Hi again!

Thanks Silent for linking me to the site!

[shortie]

I learned to drive stick on my rhd car... I have zero problems switching back and forth...
If you are unsure about passing.. then DON'T! it's that simple  but it is not as hard as one would think to pass. I have had zero issues. And If I am turning left in traffic and can't see oncoming, I just wait for the yellow. Sure you are that sholeasay holding back traffic, but who cares?

[Wrxtasy]

another option is to do a 2.5L turbo swap 

[silent]

another option is to do a 2.5L turbo swap 

No, aftermarket turbo kit for that car is NOT an option.  Trust me on this.

[spanky]

i have a jdm car that was in an accident
i could sell you everything you would need for a swap

[k_LX]

Spanky,

Is it just a JDM WRX Engine?  Do I need the transmission or can I just use my RS transmission?

If possible would you be able to PM me on price your looking at and what I would possibly need, please?

Thank you sir!

Sorry for all the 'noob' questions..

[doubtless]

Wow, some hate in here... there's nothing wrong with an RHD car.

Costs? Aside from fixing damage from a break-in and damage from people hitting my car, all I've had to do is replace one coil-packs boot, which was free thanks to our forum here. That said, these cars ARE 15+ years old, despite the low mileage, cars DO need repairs, find me a USDM car that age that is in half as good condition without being hidden away and not driven for half that time.

Driving difficulties? Sooo, a year of owning the car and driving it everywhere, I've held up zero traffic to my knowledge,  never had a problem passing people safely, and enjoy the perks of parallel parking without even having to think about what I'm doing, lol. Be smart, be aware, and don't drive like most of the idiots on the road in sportier cars and you're fine.

The real cons... our city likes breaking stuff (crap roads, horrible drivers), and if you intend on winter driving, you'll make things worse (road salt, gravel, rocks, idiots in jacked up pickup trucks who can't see you). Mechanically, silent is right that our gas isn't right, you'll have problems even on 94 octane (eventually), so you SHOULD factor in a chunk of money on an ecu and tuning if you want it to last. That said... a classic WRX with less mileage than one 4 years old for the same cost is something to think about if you prefer the GC chassis.

[k_LX]

Spanky your inbox is full! 

[spanky]

im going to empty it now

[WRX_RA]

not saying theres anything wrong with spanky's offer but if you are going to do a swap a would not recommend doing a ej20g swap.
i don't mean to steal any possible business either but your best bet would be an ej207, and I am right now trying to fill my container. If you like i could send both halves of a 2002 STi that way you'd get bremboes 6speed tranny full drivetrain including rear diff, and a great engine for tuning!

Or if you decide you do want a RHD car still talk to me =P
the first version STi's are just starting to come over now and are amazing cars.
Driving on the right is barely any different than on the left.
I can honestly say that I have a harder time driving on the left side after driving a right hand drive for 1 year.
It's different at first, but you get used to it super fast, the thing most people get messed up on the cars I have sold is flicking on the windshield wipers instead of the signal light.
If your ever in Edmonton I have a few RHD's including a mr-2 and mitsu 3kgt.
If you ever wanna go for a test drive give me a shout!

_Matt

[Stedenko]

Have you driven a RHD before? It's not that bad. I drove a RHD on a 3 day road trip and it was fine on the highway. The main thing you have to worry about is drive-thru windows and parking lot ticket things.

I think it's pretty awesome myself.

Stedenko.

[SpeedwayPerformance]

You can just back threw drive threws its not that big a deal.

 We bring in JDM cars and I have driven them both on the highway and on the streets here in town. Personally I find the most annoying thing about them is the fact that the signal and windshield wiper arms are reversed.

Aside from that. A JDM WRX that came with a turbocharged engine is far less likely to have issues then a swapped car. Why, well because it came that way. I am not 100% sure but I would assume that the mid 90s models are considerably lighter then the newer versions. a HUGE plus in the performance department. As long as you are willing to spend some money and you get your car from someone that knows what they are doing you can get one that is in extremely good shape.

When making left hand turns just make sure you can see what is going on before you make your turn. On the highway do the same. Most of the people that have issues with JDM cars have (A) never driven one so they shouldn't really say anything to begin with or (B) Have experience with a low quality car that likely cost next to nothing in japan. Which is why they got a good deal on it. People don't just give away quality cars. If you want a good one, its going to cost you a little more. But at the same time even for a extremely nice example you will more then likely save a couple thousand dollars compared to a CDM/USDM car.

[pistachoo]

I've driven my brother's Hilux (JDM, 4x4, and tall - lol) often enough that I can say you'll get used to the shifted point of view pretty quickly. I didn't have trouble passing or changing lanes: if I want to see what's ahead, not tailgating helps... mind you, with the Hilux's height, perhaps visibility for passing is less of an issue.

As far as the wipers, signals, and shifting with your left hand go, eventually the confusion subsides and you just get used to the delightful backwardness of it all!  The hardest thing for me at first was making sure I was still squarely in my own lane. It's a subtle difference, but it's there: for the first little while I tended to drift rather too close to the left side of the lane. Still, that too I was able to correct after a few days.

I cannot comment on Subie JDM as far as the longevity or mechanics of it, but driving a RHD vehicle isn't that hard to get used to, and it is fun being different! I get lots of funny looks whenever I borrow it: I guess a girl driving a monster Hilux (my bro's lifted it and put mud swampers!) around Vancouver is an even odder sight than a girl driving an STi...

[BenC]

I own a rhd impreza. Have had no real issues with my car.
Lots of rhd hate here.

[Speed Stick]

lol at the guys who complain about the cars without ever driving one.

I love mine. Seconds RHD car I've owned.  As far as mechanical problems.  Like the guy above said, these are 15+ year old cars.  Even though they are low mileage they will need some work.  At this point I think almost all of the possible problems have been solved by us JDM guys on the forums lol.

And yeah the only difficult thing about RHD is the wipers and signal are reverved, and that's not a safety thing.  It takes a few hours or days to get used to staying in your lane.

Worthwhile getting a super lite weight GC chassis that has a nice engine.  Pretty sure the early JDM versions are at least as quick as the USDM WRX's.  Not the 265 obviously.


They don't cost a lot so its worth a try.  If you don't  like it you can sell it to someone else who wants one.  They are popular. Nice to be different once in a while.

[k_LX]

Hi everyone!

Thanks again for the replies!

I've only been in a RHD vehicle a few times, but never dared to ask to drive it, it was a Toyota Aristo it had a lot of power, so I would have wussed out on driving it and I felt like my life was threaten even in the passenger side haha.  For JDM Engines is it harder to maintain than a US/CDN?  Or is it the samething?  I'm looking at a 92' JDM WRX

Kind of worried I'll be playing Pac-Man on the roads (Eating the lane lines..)  But would like to try new things.

Is there any fuel issues with JDM Engines?

[SubieRoo]

Ive become extremely comfortable in my RHD vehicle, I think people get a bad impression of them because most people (Typically kids) bring them over expecting a race car right off the bat and treat it like a race car. In general Im not a huge fan of RHD drivers, not the vehicle itself. And ya, Im basically a kid, but I try and drive with respect just like anyone else.

RHD vehicles arent tough to drive. There are things that you need to get used to - shifting with your left hand (It took me about 5-10 minutes, I was test driving the car). But if I get into a RHD vehicle with someone I either dont know or dont trust behind the wheel it does feel like you're going to die since you're getting close to vehicles and you are no longer in control, and your perspective is different as a passenger in the drivers seat. JDM engines arent too hard to maintain, there is maintenance that needs to be done, but in general they are pretty good.

As for playing pacman, I had no problem with that myself, just be aware while you're driving. And for fuel - take what I say for a grain of salt. I have had no problems with running husky 94 octane on my vehicle, it runs really well. I am however getting it ESL tuned to have it tuned to 91 octane because it provides a lot of advantages for me.