Considering buying one

[Minitrucker]

Im thinking about buying one, a mini truck, ive had riding mowers,quads,golfcarts,but none have been able to do what i need and thats to be able to drive around my property and check on everything...of course im looking at the mini trucks and there is several close by me. I would like a Honda but would consider anything if its close, since i only come by few every now and then, beggers cant be chosers. Anyways I have some questions, first do ALL Mini Trucks come stock with at least a radio and heater, a/c being a option? And what about the right hand drive, people near me say its difficult and some say its like a 10 second adjustment to get use to....I just want to know your thoughts and opinions.... GREAT FORUM!

[greg0187]

Welcome, They all come with heaters w/ AC as an option. Usually have a AM radio that you will want to upgrade. Its not hard to get used to the right hand drive. The hardest part IMO is the blinker and wipers being backward, then if you drive it alot when you get in your typical lefty all hell breaks loose. :p

-Greg

[glenn]

I'm with greg, its easy to get the hang of driving right side but when you go back to a lefty, it gets confus'n....of course if you're use to an automatic.... it gets twice as hard to get the hang of it.... more like a NewYork minute rather than 10 seconds.

glenn

[Minitrucker]

Well, i ahve seen a few left hand drive ones.....Id like to find a 1990-1995 honda one thats a lefty with a auto trans...and of course id upgrade the radio......who the hell listens to AM radio alot anyways, i found some pictures on the forum of what id liek to have......i hope the person who posted these wont get pissed if i use them but anyways....
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q181/Starzghlf/1019031_5.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q181/Starzghlf/1019031_2.jpg
I saw one just like this except left hand drive and it was automatic...

[myhijet]

I tell people that shifting with the left hand is so complicated and that they probably would never ever get the hang of it.
I agree, wipers and turn signals are the most confusing of the whole ordeal. The other part is which dang door to get into. I tinted the windows in mine and when i am in a hurry I get to and/or open the wrong door sometimes. Then I open the wrong door of the other farm trucks. I have actually found myself standing behind the vehicles and stoping to think what side to walk to, and still being wrong.

[PJ&Tubby]

Welcome. If you haven't read the thread started by JTruck, you will find some things discussed there about the radio, etc. My personal worst problem with right hand drive is remembering which shoulder to look over when backing up! There is also a good thread about heaters.

[myhijet]

My personal worst problem with right hand drive is remembering which shoulder to look over when backing up! There is also a good thread about heaters.
__________________
Shelia & Jeff

Forgot about that one. Can't see much over your right shoulder in a mini.

[kmoneil]

Welcome to the forum MiniTrucker. Also a distant neighbor :) I live in Gilbert, AZ.

[Minitrucker]

Well the shifting will be a problem since i have never drove a manual.....BUT i know people who do and it shouldnt be that hard..and distant neighbor indeed, wow, suprized i havent seen a mini truck dealer around here in az....kmoneil, have you seen or know of a dealer???

[kmoneil]

suprized i havent seen a mini truck dealer around here in az....kmoneil, have you seen or know of a dealer???

I haven't, I got a private message I will have to send you that has some info in it.

[glenn]

[QUOTE=Minitrucker;9638]Well, .....Id like to find a 1990-1995 honda one thats a lefty with a auto trans...QUOTE]

being a canuck, it doesn't apply to us up here :p but, I've heard that you can not import an automatic into the US cause of the restrict'r :frustration:. you might want to check with a US dealer about this.:confused:

It's a little harder to go through the drive thru unless you have a long arm or a passanger......second it does confuse the cops when they pull you over and they don't know what side to aproach you from, eh?
automatic to stick? no problem, you just have to get the hand and foot to work together as one....being a japanese truck just remember karate kid....
.....wax on wax off.....LOL :D

glenn

[myhijet]

I have 2 boys now 10 and 14. When the younger was learning to drive, he learned in the mini. He got his first lesson at driving and first lesson of shifting and driving a trailer at once. We were picking up straw bales at the neighbor's house. Learning a stick shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure nobody is watching and stay paitent.

Also, I found that reverse is locked out when moving the shifter out of 5th. Safety mechanism. Just wiggle the shifter left and right in neutral and then reverse is good to go.

[Minitrucker]

I also have a boy, he is 12 and wants to learn to drive a stick so i guess i will buy one, with a stick,....i never heard of the safty thing whne going from fifth to reverse...?

[Wolfman]

I've found the 5th reverse thing to be standard with any 5 speed manual where 5th is up top, and reverse is directly below it. That is simply to keep you from destroying the vehicle with a subconscious shift to "6th" gear.

RHD is a breeze. I literally jumped into one of these, gave the controls a glance, told myself that I'd have to shift with my left hand, and that was it. I am however, left handed anyway, so RHD seems to be quite natrual. I do get the stalks messed up, when I go back to one of my LHD vehicles. Oh well.

[Colin]

+1

It was a complete non-issue when I began driving mine.

[glenn]

colin, what was a complete non issue?

[Colin]

Switching from driving left-hand drive cars to right-hand drive. Sorry, I should've been more specific. :o

[glenn]

Switching from driving left-hand drive cars to right-hand drive. Sorry, I should've been more specific. :o

I beg to differ......two minutes for icing colin,

http://minitrucktalk.com/showthread.php?t=846

LOL:D

[jimhammer1]

The difficulty I had/have is going to the wrong side to get in. I enjoy putting my 85 lbs dog in the left seat and drive down the road watching the look on the faces as we pass.

[DRW]

I agree with Collin, it takes about 5 minutes to get comfortable with the RH drive,my 11 year old loves to drive it and I just imagine this hunting season that dad will be kicked out of the drivers seat.

[Timetripper]

Well, i ahve seen a few left hand drive ones.....Id like to find a 1990-1995 honda one thats a lefty with a auto trans...and of course id upgrade the radio......who the hell listens to AM radio alot anyways, i found some pictures on the forum of what id liek to have......i hope the person who posted these wont get pissed if i use them but anyways....
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q181/Starzghlf/1019031_5.jpg
http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q181/Starzghlf/1019031_2.jpg
I saw one just like this except left hand drive and it was automatic...

Your Welcome:)