I can has RHD?

8971 Views 27 Replies 19 Participants Last post by NISMO_IX, 5 mo ago

FocusRush

Discussion Starter · Feb 9, 2015

So I got to thinking about how the focus is now a global car and no matter where you buy one, for the most part, it's the same car. some minor cosmetic differences, but all basically the same. Since this is the case, I am activly researching how I can order my RS with right hand drive.

I've gotten two answers from two dealerships. Both of which I am willing to do.

1. Dealer 1 said that I can just order one that way since it's all coming from one factory anyways. Just might take awhile.

2. Dealer 2 said That I would have to purchase the car from an overseas dealership in person, take physical delivery of it, and then have it shipped here on my own dime.

Why RHD? Being a person that likes to set himself apart from the crowd, why not start with a platform that is already different. You would be hard pressed to find another like it as most will be lhd here in the states.

my only concerns would be:
Depending on what country I got it from, I may not understand anything that Sync says and the GPS would be worthless to me here in the sates.
Also depending on the country I purchased it from, the gauge readouts might be in something other than miles/fahrenheit.

Your thoughts? Am I missing anything?

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COBBST

· #2 · Feb 9, 2015 (Edited)

You could learn the language of the country from which you get the FoRS

Pretty sure you could update the NAV with North American maps.

It's pretty cool to be different most of the time. I don't think a RHD FoRS would be a bad thing. You'd definitely have something unique here in North America with RHD.

On a more serious note, it will probably hurt resale/trade-in value as most folks here would probably be looking for LHD. If you never intend to sell or trade-in the FoRS, that won't be an issue.

jonb347

· #3 · Feb 9, 2015

oh wow. I thought you were joking when you posted in my thread! no, north American cars can't be ordered with RHD. You would have to ship in from overseas, which would therefore mean a lot of the emissions systems would be wrong. It would cost you a fortune.

sda3

· #4 · Feb 9, 2015

What if you are a rural mail carrier for the USPS, can you get a car with RHD then? I've seen a few...

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Jamie

· #5 · Feb 9, 2015

What you are forgetting about this 'global car' is that there is still a percentage of parts that are different to EU & US vehicles. A Focus ST I can buy here in the UK is only 80% the same as a Focus ST you can buy in the USA. You have different regulations hence the extra reflectors and lighting positions just for starters.

If you truly want to set your US RS apart, I would suggest focusing on just importing over the parts that will not be fitted to the US spec vehicle. Such as the Recaro Sportster CS bucket seats and rear diffusor with LED fog light.

burke753

· #6 · Feb 9, 2015

sda3 said:
What if you are a rural mail carrier for the USPS, can you get a car with RHD then? I've seen a few...

You might be on to something. Because we get quite a few of those around here. Mostly jeeps. But there are a couple toyotas I see running around. I wonder if someone could pull that off for an RS I find it unlikely. But it may be a possibility.

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk.

RieBauer17

· #7 · Feb 9, 2015

I like drive-thrus way too much to ever do that.

sda3

· #8 · Feb 9, 2015

burke753 said:
You might be on to something. Because we get quite a few of those around here. Mostly jeeps. But there are a couple toyotas I see running around. I wonder if someone could pull that off for an RS I find it unlikely. But it may be a possibility.

Sent from my iPhone 6 using Tapatalk.

There is plenty of room for mail in an RS!!! There are a few jeeps and minivans around here that I have seen too.

sda3

· #9 · Feb 9, 2015

RieBauer17 said:
I like drive-thrus way too much to ever do that.

Reverse? It would make it more interesting that way anyway.

RieBauer17

· #10 · Feb 9, 2015

I think it would be cool tho to have a RHD, but id constantly be grinding gears trying to shift left handed.

RieBauer17

· #11 · Feb 9, 2015

sda3 said:
Reverse? It would make it more interesting that way anyway.

Ive actually had to do that once when my window motor was broken and i was being super lazy. The lady "behind" me wasnt too happy being blinded while ordering. I dont think id want to do that on a daily basis

Reactions: 1

sda3

· #12 · Feb 9, 2015

RieBauer17 said:
Ive actually had to do that once when my window motor was broken and i was being super lazy. The lady "behind" me wasnt too happy being blinded while ordering. I dont think id want to do that on a daily basis

That wasn't in your current vehicle was it?

RieBauer17

· #13 · Feb 9, 2015

sda3 said:
That wasn't in your current vehicle was it?

Lol no it was my 2002 Pontiac Grand AM.

sda3

· #14 · Feb 9, 2015

RieBauer17 said:
Lol no it was my 2002 Pontiac Grand AM.

GM ftw!!!! - I had to put 4 exclamations because of the post character limit restriction. Although now that I have explained it I am well past the minimum, lol

Reactions: 1

FocusRush

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 10, 2015

I'll be in a few meetings with ford execs over the next few months about some SEMA builds I'm a part of. Henry Ford III will be there too. I'll ask them to make it happen for me

. Never hurts to ask

jonb347

· #16 · Feb 10, 2015

sda3 said:
There is plenty of room for mail in an RS!!! There are a few jeeps and minivans around here that I have seen too.

These are generally conversions or fleet orders for USPS. no one else allowed lol.

JVC063

· #17 · Feb 10, 2015 (Edited)

You send the money and arrange shipping and I take care of the purchase and delivery to the wharf. My commision will be driving to the wharf for shipping.

Reactions: 1

Rik Biel

· #18 · Feb 11, 2015

Being in Australia - I will want my RS upside down and RHD

Actually - save the roof and keep it upright but just make sure it comes with super sticky tyres

LOL

Reactions: 3

ControlNode

· #19 · Mar 4, 2015

Getting a car from overseas imported would likely be very costly. Needs new lights on the front with the correct light pattern due to most RHD markets also being "drive on left" side of the road to no cause an excessive glare to oncoming traffic. Some markets would not have glass meeting DOT standards, not to mention safety equipment (door pillars) and such. Best option if it can be done would the special order through local dealer so that they know the market is "drive on right" and the needed safety/emissions. Otherwise you are going through an importer and I've heard they can add 12k to some cars as there are few places that can legally import a foreign car for use on the street.

RyguyC

· #20 · Apr 7, 2015

I can appreciate wanting to stand out from the crowd...but this? This is like standing out by dressing in purple velvet, yeah people will stare but not for the right reasons lol. It will cost you a fortune, it will be impossible to sell, it will be difficult and probably more expensive to get insured, and last but not least it isn't safe. Your visibility is cut down in a RHD car when making left-hand turns and your seat will be the one getting t-boned.

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