Just to add a note of sanity! ;-) I'm from the UK and I drove 3,000
miles in BC Canada last year, including central Vancouver and Victoria, and
I'm intending a similar driving trip in the US next summer.
I normally drive a manual transmission car (most of them are here in the
UK), and I was only too glad - driving on the right hand side of the road,
and the left hand side of the car - for having one less thing to think
about!
Why do you want a manual car? The only disadvantage I found in my rented
Buick was the somewhat "soggy" acceleration curve, compared to a gear shift
... but driving long distances was a dream! The petrol ("gas") is sooooo
much cheaper over there, so the increased fuel consumption made little
difference. (No comments about Kyoto, please...)
Barb
"Slippery_Slope" wrote in message
news:439BBAEC.315CD7DD@zip.net...
>
> "Frank F. Matthews" wrote:
>
> > pltrgyst wrote:
> >
> > > On Wed, 17 Aug 2005 04:36:45 GMT, Brian K
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >>In the US there's an extra charge for a Manual Transmission if you are
> > >>going to buy one. Automatic is the norm for just about every car.
> > >
> > >
> > > That is simply not true. While there are numerous autos built only
> > > with automatics, there are only one or two isolated models on which an
> > > AT is standard and a manual costs extra. For the vast majority of cars
> > > and trucks offering both, the manual is standard, and the AT is an
> > > optional extra charge.
> > >
> > > Many rental agencies don't trust customers to treat a clutch properly,
> > > and would prefer to avoid the maintenance charges resulting from poor
> > > driving technique.
> > >
> > > -- Larry (lucky enough to have a wife who also prefers manuals... 8;)
> > >
> >
> > For rental companies the real problem is that they have a rotten resale
> > prospect.
>
> That's the end result of the stupidfication of the U.S.ofA...... make it
> easier and subtract effort...... no .ing wonder obesity IS running
amok.
>
> When people find out that I have a stick-shift they're .ing absolutely
> amazed (only thing I drive - 3 cars ALL manuals)...... then they want me
to
> teach them....
>
>
>
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