Good day, dear readers! Today, despite all attempts to block their access to the roads of Russia, you can often find many right-hand drive cars. Moreover, in some regions, in particular in the Far East, their number prevails over left-hand drive.
Why did they gain such popularity? Naturally, at its cost. As a rule, all RHD cars that we drive are used goods from Japan. Among our motorists, the attitude towards them is ambiguous. Some like them, while others give a bunch of arguments that they have no place on Russian roads. In any case, right-hand drive cars are also our reality, and they remain relevant for the Russian consumer. Let's look at the main pros and cons of right-hand drive cars in our country.
Pros of right hand drive cars.
The main, and indisputable plus, is the cost. Three-year-old Japanese foreign car, in complete set, with climate control, automatic transmission, rear view camera and other body kits, costs the same as a new VAZ car. And unlike our "people's brand", the Japanese are constantly supplementing and modernizing cars. By the way, with the introduction of duties, right-hand drive cars began to rise in price significantly, thereby making their import into the country unprofitable. And those that are now available on the markets are either imported before duties, or simply resold.
Low fuel consumption is also a definite plus for right-hand drive cars.
Since Japan is a country with a maritime climate, corrosion protection is given a lot of attention here. And everyone knows that there is no better anti-corrosion coating than what is made in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Reliability and quality are synonymous Japanese cars mobiles. In addition to the presence of various options, the cars themselves, in general, give the impression of "indestructible".
It is very convenient to drive right-hand drive around the city (if you get used to it). It is comfortable to go out onto the sidewalk, especially where there are puddles and mud. It's more convenient to park. You can easily pass with "oncoming traffic" on narrow yard paths. Yes, and talking with a traffic police officer will be safer (of course for the latter).
Safety is an important factor when choosing any car. If, God forbid, there was a head-on collision, the blow usually falls on left side. And since you have a right-hand drive, and if there is no passenger, serious injuries can be avoided. Also, it is safer to install child seat. It, in such machines, is attached to driver's seat, which is the most safe place. In addition, the door opens onto the pavement, which is very comfortable.
Cons of right hand drive cars.
Their main disadvantage, which, for some, outweighs all the advantages, is the inconvenience of their operation in the conditions of our roads. Well, they are not intended for them. It is especially bad on highways where heavy trucks constantly drive. Overtaking them in a right-hand drive car is an art. Experienced drivers it is advised to keep your distance, turn a little to the right before overtaking to check visibility, or hold on to another car and overtake with it. Also, the problem is solved by installing the recorder on the left side of the car, and displaying information on the monitor. Well, or just ask the passenger to tell.
Difficulty shifting gears. Agree, it is always difficult for a person to get used to the new. And besides, when switching speeds, people often confuse the pedals.
Right-hand drive cars should definitely remake the headlights to European standards. Yes, it's not just about the steering wheel. This is all done simply by replacing Japanese optics with European ones, which comply with GOST. If you don't, you will dazzle oncoming vehicles.
Another disadvantage of a right-hand drive car is problematic Maintenance. Yes, with spare parts, maybe there will be no problems. Difficulties can begin when traveling to the service station. Since not all of our car services have equipment suitable for repairing and diagnosing right-hand drive cars. And everything has to be done, focusing on close European analogues of cars.
So, to summarize, is it worth buying a right-hand drive car? Right-hand drive cars are cheap, comfortable, and convenient for driving around the city. As for the difficulties, it will be hard on country roads, but experience comes with time. As for technical issues, then all the shortcomings can be easily eliminated. However, most Russian motorists as they treated them negatively, they will continue to treat them. Safe roads to you!
Russian road system organized according to the principle left-hand traffic. However, there are countries with right-hand traffic. And these countries occupy one of the leading positions in the production of cars. It is not surprising that such cars can be found on the roads of our country.
On Russian roads, you will often see right-hand drive cars of Japanese origin, and English and Australian cars in smaller quantities. The main volume of incoming right-hand drive cars is the sale of cars in Primorsky Krai, which borders Japan.
Statistics show that right-hand drive cars are almost twice as likely to get into an accident. In a right-hand drive car, you have to shift gears and keys on the instrument panel with your left hand, use hand brake. Of course, all this does not bring convenience to right-handed people, but you have to overcome the inconvenience and after two or three weeks the drivers adapt.
One of the main disadvantages of right-hand drive vehicles is considered to be difficulty in overtaking, because the visibility of the road is worse and there is a possibility of making a mistake, and even if there is a large truck in front. Then, as far as possible, it is necessary to increase the distance, snuggle up to the right side of the road and make sure that overtaking does not bode danger. It has been noticed that most right-hand drive car drivers feel the dimensions of the car, and thus they are well oriented on the side of the road, they usually take a position closer to the edge of the road and do not block the median. This provides convenience for overtaking drivers. To develop special skills for driving a right-hand drive car, many recommend contacting auto instructors who teach on such cars.
In urban conditions, the difference between driving right-hand drive and left-hand drive cars is small. There are even advantages for the driver - the driver will exit the right-hand drive car directly onto the sidewalk, without any risk and no need to wait for the cars to pass to open the door. Driving a right-hand drive foreign car on roads with right-hand traffic can be complicated by the direction of the headlights, because the beams are directed to the right side. It is necessary to adjust the headlights so that the lighting goes to the left side, and not to the side of the road.
An important advantage of Japanese right-hand drive cars is their reliability, durability and technical serviceability. The quality of the assembly and other parameters of the car is not lower than the level European cars, while the price is lower. In addition, there are many models that have no analogues with the left hand drive.
How comfortable a right-hand drive car is largely depends on how you drive. Right-hand drive cars are unlikely to suit reckless drivers; rather, they will find owners among more balanced drivers.
In Russia, there is such a far-fetched problem and it is called - "how bad it is to have a right-hand drive car." There can be two answers to this problem.The first is short and the second is long.
The short one is: there is no such problem. It is only in the minds of one-third of our vast Motherland, and two-thirds of our, again, vast Motherland, which has been driving on the right wheel for many years, does not have it.Therefore, you can safely and without a shadow of doubt ignore some possible discomfort that haunts you at the thought of the right steering wheel.
A detailed answer in the opinion of the creators of this site is as follows.
Those who have driven "right-hand drive" are well aware that in fact, it does not matter where the steering wheel is. It's just that there are some nuances that you get used to very quickly and which are then performed, as they say, on the "machine".A protracted left turn is harder to pass "on the right handlebar", but on the contrary, a protracted right turn is harder to pass "on the left handlebar". It is easier to park, having a "right-hand drive" - no one will ever pour mud on you or, God forbid, will not knock you down, because you go out onto the sidewalk, and not onto carriageway.
However, your passenger is having a harder time than you this case. Overtaking a long-base car (for example, on the highway) is harder "on the right steering wheel", but if you keep your distance, the "acceleration" of the engine of your car from Japan is always enough not to risk yourself and calmly, but in good dynamics to overtake.
When you are stopped at a traffic police post or just on the road, you lower the glass and hand over the documents to the inspector. The "traffic cop" does not stand on the track, is not nervous that he will be hit and does not frown about the fact that the driver did not deign to get out of the car. If you have not broken the rules, you will never get out of the car. There is no need for this and in this situation there is no "tension" with a representative of the authorities - you just have the steering wheel where you need it. However, if you drove up to the "MAK auto" then, here, presumably, you will have to make some gestures to get to the opposite window.
And there are a lot of such nuances. But none of them is essential. If you drove cars from Japan with a right-hand drive, this "pseudo-problem" does not exist for you. If you have never driven the "correct steering wheel", but try it personally, this problem will not be for you either.
At least out of pure curiosity - why two-thirds of the country travels with " the right steering wheel", does not recognize any more machines, and at the same time feels excellent.
Now let's take one more statement as an axiom - since this is a general and indisputable fact for anyone who is seriously familiar with the automotive world - Japan is perhaps the only country in the world that makes cars for the domestic market better than for export. Because of the national mentality. By virtue of the most high-tech country in the world. Due to the fact that Japan is the most car country in the world per capita. Yes, simply, due to what the Japanese are doing in terms of a combination of indicators best cars in the world.For those who have doubts, a small example: do you know that in Japan itself such a brand as Lexus is practically unknown? "Lexus", a VIP-quality car, "indestructible" and prestigious, reliable and luxurious, beating all imaginable and unimaginable ratings - is unknown in its historical homeland. Do you know why this is happening? Yes, because no one needs him there. His place has long been taken. The brand was originally focused on America and was created (and is being created) using Toyota technology. It's for export. "Takeaway". For America and in America's factories. But under the control of Toyota. And for their own, they did something better - for example, Windom, Chayzer, Mark, Cross, Harier, or a car that simply has no competitors - Crown Majesta.
Do you know that everything that Europe and the States are still creating and presenting it as some kind of "super achievements" has long been passed, forgotten and once again, in an improved version, implemented in the Land of the Rising Sun? For example, projection systems Windshield the main indicators of the car.
Only implemented today, and then, as an option on newest bmw- have been running business class cars for the Japanese domestic market for several years now?
And how much the Bavarians got enthusiastic about this.
Today, the latest "trick" in Europe - electronic liquid crystal instrument scales - this has long been done on "Toyota" ten years ago.
But, true, on other Toyotas. For them. Not for us.
Today there is a boom in "crossovers", "SUVs", cars for active rest and recently, with great fanfare, it was announced that this year a Mitsubishi Outlander car with a 220 hp engine will be presented to a dealer in Russia. and it is undoubtedly the fastest and powerful car among classmates. In 1997, Subaru created a Forester with an engine power of 240-260 hp. and, which, to this day, has no analogues and competitors in its class. But this is for them. Right hand drive.
The European version came with maximum engine at 176 hp and on a set of indicators (plus full permanent drive plus boxer engine plus salon "transformer" and much more) - is still considered an event in automotive world. Only this year, Subaru presents cars in terms of quality, dynamic and consumer characteristics that are close to the domestic market 7-8 years ago. The same "Mitsubishi" has been making "YaVR" for many years - a car with a sports vein, a symbiosis of everything and everything. But again, only for the domestic market. There are a huge number of such examples. There are not just two systems, two worlds. This is the philosophy behind the extremely closed and most advanced technological society on earth - Japan.
The best is for everyone. What is beyond the best, automotive masterpieces, for themselves.We are not going to prove to you well-known truths. We give you more is an opportunity to acquire for oneself what is common in Japan, new in Europe, and in Russia for many years to come.
Do you still have doubts? So why do two-thirds of the country drive cars made in Japan?
PRAVTO.RU
Official dealer of Japanese auctions in Russia..
Cars from Japan in Moscow and St. Petersburg
Right hand drive and left hand drive. Motorcycles from Japan.
It is more convenient for the driver of a right-hand drive car to get in and out of the car. This increases safety, because it is located on the side of the sidewalk, and does not go out onto the roadway.
Due to the fact that the driver in such a car is located on the right, it is easier for him, if necessary, to enter into a dialogue with pedestrians - for example, if you need to clarify the route.
Communication with other drivers is also simplified if they drive cars with a left-hand drive. You can drive up to them from the left side and talk face to face.
When frontal collision A right hand drive car is safer for the driver than a left hand drive car. Usually in such accidents, the main blow falls on the front left corner of the car.
The bulk of right-hand drive cars were brought to Russia from Japan. For their domestic market, the Japanese produce a wide range of models that are not intended for export to other countries. Many models have no analogues in other markets.
Due to the location of the steering wheel right side makes it easier to park in tight spaces. For example, you can press your left side more firmly against the passenger door of a left-hand drive car, which will allow you to open driver's door both you and the owners of neighboring cars.
The right steering wheel gives you better control of the right side of the car and the roadside. This may be useful for narrow roads and at an oncoming siding, when you need to snuggle up to the side of the road.
Cons of the right hand drive
A significant disadvantage of right-hand drive cars is the difficulty in overtaking on roads that have one lane in each direction. Driver ordinary car able to appreciate traffic situation without leaving your lane. The owner of a right-hand drive car is forced to leave his lane for half a length or more, which often leads to severe accidents.
The front passenger in such vehicles is at great risk. In the event of a frontal collision, he suffers the most.
Passengers are not only at risk in a collision. They have to go not on the sidewalk, but on the roadway. Passengers rarely look in the mirror when exiting the vehicle and may open the door directly in front of a passing vehicle.
Another one serious problem- Wrong head light. Headlights, adjusted according to the rules, should direct the light beam to the road in front of the car and to the right side of the road.
On vehicles with controls located on the right, the headlights shine on oncoming lane. This impairs visibility to the right side of the road and the shoulder, where pedestrians can walk and cars can be parked. In addition, such light dazzles oncoming drivers, which can lead to an accident.
Unfortunately, many vehicles head optics it is impossible to adjust in such a way that it shines in accordance with GOST. If the car model has a European one, the headlights can be replaced with the corresponding technical regulations. But the number of such models is limited.
Often cars from Japan are equipped with multifunctional multimedia systems. They delight the driver with built-in navigation system, TV and DVD player.
However, in Russian conditions this is usually useless. The radio and TV operate at completely different frequencies, the DVD player refuses to read discs, and the navigator cannot find Russian maps. Changing the firmware is often impossible or unreasonably expensive.
The closer to Europe, the more difficult it is to sell such a car. The liquidity of right-hand drive cars is declining year by year. All more people want to buy a left-hand drive car.
