08-20-2008, 06:26 PM | #1 |
The old cranky SOB....
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Car rental.....
Hey folks...
I'm wanting to get a rental car with a manual transmission for help in showing someone how to drive a stick.... In a quick look (on-line) at some of the rental companies web sites... All showed automatics. Ummm.... Any ideas of who might have a econ car with a stick available? I could call a few of them as well but thought someone here might have run across a company who has one in their fleet- Thanks
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Kevin 1970 2800CS - - 2001 740iL - - 2006 997.1 - - 2012 Escalade 1968 Mustang GT Convertible - - 2003 Ford F250 PSD - - 1985 728i |
08-20-2008, 06:35 PM | #2 | |
Relic
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Quote:
but here's an idea -- you might be able to buy an old Bug for about the same price as renting
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08-20-2008, 06:40 PM | #3 | |
The old cranky SOB....
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Quote:
And the reason I am being asked. My friend travels to Europe often and doesn't know how to drive a stick. Trying to rent an automatic is turning out to be a pain..... Even reserving one ahead of time has not always worked...
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Kevin 1970 2800CS - - 2001 740iL - - 2006 997.1 - - 2012 Escalade 1968 Mustang GT Convertible - - 2003 Ford F250 PSD - - 1985 728i |
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08-20-2008, 07:02 PM | #4 |
Founder emeritus
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I believe NONE of the companies in the US rents a stick.
My suggestion for people who want to learn stick is to buy a well-used (like 10+ year old) Japanese econobox (for <$1000), learn stick on it and then sell it once you're proficient. You'll be able to sell it for what you paid for it. The only cost is the hassle factor. |
08-20-2008, 08:03 PM | #5 |
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You'll likely only find a rental with a stick at places that rent high-end exotics. But for the rental fee on one of those you could buy several of the type of car that TD mentioned.
Two things to watch out for after learning to drive in the US in the first place and learning to drive a stick in the US are which side of the road to drive on in which European countries, and which side of the car the driver sits on. The former should be relatively easy to get used to, but trying to drive a stick with the left hand (in a right hand drive car) after learning to drive it with the right hand (in a left hand drive car) might take a while to get used to. |
08-21-2008, 09:55 AM | #6 |
The old cranky SOB....
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: several cars... way too many....
Location: Near Seattle
Posts: 4,798
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This is turning out to be a non-issue....
That is - No cars are available. This is true of the national rental companies as well as the 'local' mom and pop shops. All have automatics. Buying a car is not an option.... I'll probably just use the 2002 and be VERY careful.... I could rent a Porsche for ~$250 a day but - who knows... Might be a fun way to make a 'day of it' - then again...
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Kevin 1970 2800CS - - 2001 740iL - - 2006 997.1 - - 2012 Escalade 1968 Mustang GT Convertible - - 2003 Ford F250 PSD - - 1985 728i |
08-21-2008, 02:40 PM | #7 | |
Finn is in puppy heaven
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Quote:
Edit.... fixed. Last edited by operknockity; 08-21-2008 at 03:07 PM. |
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08-21-2008, 02:58 PM | #8 |
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08-21-2008, 03:07 PM | #9 |
Finn is in puppy heaven
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08-21-2008, 04:05 PM | #10 | |
Relic
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Quote:
I was worried about that before I went to Scotland in '99 for vacation. It was the first time I would be driving a RHD car, and I was definitely expecting it to be stick. Turned out to be not too bad. I really didn't have any problems shifting with my left hand. The first ~20 min drive to my hotel was a nervous experience, but I took it slow and thought through all my turns (its kind of like thinking in mirror image). By the 2nd day though, I was pretty comfortable driving the RHD car, and the rest of the trip was great. I did have one instance about half way through the trip, where I pulled out of a gas station and headed to the right side of the road -- fortunately it was an empty street
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