I bought a '14 TEP a year ago and I have really liked the truck so far. I recently got orders to England for 3 years and I am trying to decide whether to take it or not. I have already put 20k miles on it so selling it now I would definitely be taking a hit. Along with that, my wife would be driving the truck most likely and I've heard larger left hand drive trucks are a pain over there. I've been going back and forth on what I want to do. Have any of you guys brought your vehicles with you overseas?
Have any of you used your left side drive 4runner in Europe?
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I was stationed there for a couple of years. I purchased a car there, right hand drive, but a few people brought theirs over. One guy had a Jeep Cherokee and it seemed just fine.
It would drive me crazy though if I had to do it, but I guess it depends on a person's personality and tolerance for those things.
Left hand drive cras on the road are not uncommon over there, and as for size, I think the 4runner is not overly big or anything, there are Land Rovers, and other SUVs over there, also larger cars.
I was living in London, I really never drove my car except to get groceries and other things, at least I did not pay much for it as it would have been a waste of money.
Where you going to be stationed at?
It would drive me crazy though if I had to do it, but I guess it depends on a person's personality and tolerance for those things.
Left hand drive cras on the road are not uncommon over there, and as for size, I think the 4runner is not overly big or anything, there are Land Rovers, and other SUVs over there, also larger cars.
I was living in London, I really never drove my car except to get groceries and other things, at least I did not pay much for it as it would have been a waste of money.
Where you going to be stationed at?
Bimmer-Bob
New member
The LHD vehicle in a RHD country is not a deal-breaker, IMO, and certainly not worth taking the hit on selling a year-old vehicle. It will be weird at first, but you should get used to it pretty quickly. If either you or your wife are easily-rattled or not very confident as drivers, it might be an issue, I guess. Roundabouts seem to fluster a lot of American drivers, too, so be aware of that.
The bigger problem I see is the size of the truck. It's not huge, by American standards, but will feel much bigger over there, trust me. There will be some places you simply cannot drive, mostly older city centers and that sort of thing, and parking will be tougher than with a smaller car. Living on a military base, you'll be fine, and out in the country, you'll be fine. Just understand that there might be some towns you come across where it makes more sense to park as soon as you can and do your sightseeing on foot.
But still, I wouldn't sell a one-year old truck just because I was going overseas for 2-3 years. I would make it work.
The bigger problem I see is the size of the truck. It's not huge, by American standards, but will feel much bigger over there, trust me. There will be some places you simply cannot drive, mostly older city centers and that sort of thing, and parking will be tougher than with a smaller car. Living on a military base, you'll be fine, and out in the country, you'll be fine. Just understand that there might be some towns you come across where it makes more sense to park as soon as you can and do your sightseeing on foot.
But still, I wouldn't sell a one-year old truck just because I was going overseas for 2-3 years. I would make it work.
Hadelson
New member
Driving in England takes a little time to re-train you and the wife. Especially when you need to react fast......... The biggest challenge is entering traffic circles......but again can be done. Not sure what fuel prices are in England or registrations costs. This is something you might want to check on before making decision to ship your runner. I remember my time in Europe and fuel prices in England where in the $6.00 gallon range if you bought on the economy.....another thing to check is how fuel works. In my time, we bought coupons from the exchange at US fuel prices that allowed us to fill up at fuel stations using the coupons.
Good luck and thank you for your service to the USA!
I just retired and was stationed in england for 10 yrs. I will onlydrive a US car There. Ihad my wrangler unlimited and my wifves xc60. Its nice having the highth as you can see over other cars since most of theres are small and low. You be hlad to have a non europe suspension as unless you buy a high end car there, they drive poor forthe most part. Make sure you have good tires for wet, upgrade your headlights as there is often no streetl lights and its pitch black. They are too big to where they dont fit but the parking garages will be close to your roof. Other then that youll get alot of people there wanting to see if and if you register it tax paid can sale it to a local for a ton if ever ready, but you got to do that when you first get there or later pay22.5 percent of new blue book. I wish i had mine there. It would have been mich better
drewser
New member
A few years ago a friend of mine was on a work assignment in London for a year and lived in Surrey. They went through this company -- they will even buy it back afterwards:
yourexpatcar.com
The brand new cars are more expensive than here, but they lose their value quicker. I think because they didnt have clash for clunkers and there's a smaller resale market for RHD cars.
Plano26
New member
I spent 10 years in England (16 total in Europe); just mind when you are passing a vehicle you will expose 75% of your vehicle in the other lane JUST to see if it's ok to pass! it can be a bit difficult; especially in a large truck like our 4Runners. Roads are small and winding (they generally follow the property paths) except for the motorways which are generally straight; but if your AF; then you will be in the country side and they're mostly 2 lane roads. I owned a Rav4 (among others) over there (right hand drive) great little run around and almost got all my money back when I finally left; just sold it back to the dealer. Also, you can purchase it tax free and with the exchange rates, it works out in your favor..sometimes 
Have a great time and get out and see the country and go to the sporting events; they're passionate people!! especially footy (I'm a devoted Ipswich Town FC fan..blue army!) or anything else that will you get to enjoy the culture.
That being said; I would sell it and get a right hand drive. Just my 1/2 cent from an old retired AF Sarge
Cheers
Have a great time and get out and see the country and go to the sporting events; they're passionate people!! especially footy (I'm a devoted Ipswich Town FC fan..blue army!) or anything else that will you get to enjoy the culture.
That being said; I would sell it and get a right hand drive. Just my 1/2 cent from an old retired AF Sarge
Cheers
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