KERBCRAWLER

Performance Imports - Why the right choice is a left one for affordable exotica

Buying and running a left-hooker does not have to put you at any sort of disadvantage, be it overtaking or future resale trauma. Piloting a car from what you always believed was the passenger seat is a tremendous release from the tyranny of losing a fortune on a brand new car.
My ultra-reliable barometer of what's going on in the world of left-hand-drive supercars is always Martin Pearse, owner of MCP Motorsport (01263 822481). He doesn't live far away and popping down to see what he has on the drive significantly raises my heartbeat.
You'll find the cars you always promised yourself and those you didn't realise you wanted. QQQI concentrate on models made between 1988 and 1997 when they have suffered the worst depreciation,' says Pearse. 'I have to feel passionate about the cars and you will find that whatever was regarded as the performance car of that year fits in with my buying policy.'
So will we all be going to Pearse for a 911 Turbo in 2008 then? 'A 993 RS is a wonderful car and you will never lose money on it,' he says. 'Costing £35,000 now it will still make £35k easily in a few years time.'
Indeed Pearse has just come off the phone to someone with a 996 GT3 to sell, but this model is still depreciating fast and costs £45,000 now, but will be £10k cheaper a year from now.
So Pearse is a dealer in automotive icons that happen to have the steering wheel where Enzo (or according to some - God) intended it to be and will save you a stiff right-hand-drive premium. Does that mean a 360 Modena makes sense then?
Well, actually no. The Ferrari market is a peculiar one populated by poseurs rather than drivers who simply can't afford to drive them. But that's a digression.
Choose your left-hooker carefully: target models that never made it to the UK market, like an old BMW MS Touring, or one that was sold in tiny numbers like an Alfa Zagato RZ/SZ. It is a lazy cliché that for the cost of an ordinary car (Mondeo, Vectra etc.) you can own a car with character, not lose much and indeed not spend much either.
Taking this route plugs you into a network of moonlighting mechanics, dedicated specialists and excellent owners' clubs. All you have to do is enjoy the car - not too hard to do when you have only paid £12K for an M-badged BMW or maybe £15K for an Audi RS2.
So will you ever be left in the lurch? Nope, buying a left-hand drive car is one of the smartest buying decisions you will ever make.

JAMES RUPPERT