<p>As for the differences between European and US models…one of the zippiest and fun to drive vehicles I’ve recntly rented in Europe was a Honda CRV Diesel 6 speed. I would have bought that baby if it were available domestically. It got some unbelievable MPG’s. They also have a ‘hybrid’ transmission - an automatic stick shift (yes, I did think they were making fun of me). No clutch but a manual 6 speed.</p>
<p>We have automatics, but H insisted that our son practiced some on stick. I’m betting he has driven some of his friends’ cars that are stick. His current car is automatic, but he might need to drive a manual transmission car at any time, including in an emergency.</p>
<p>Yes…both can drive a standard transmission car. When DS did his study abroad, he was the only one of his friends who could drive the standard rental car.</p>
<p>Another benefit to manuals - there have been a number of cases where carjackers were foiled when trying to jack a car only to find out it’s a manual and they don’t know how to drive a manual car.</p>
<p>GGDad, what a great benefit! Just bought a stick this summer, a Honda Fit. I feel like my old self, running around town and the midwest in a zippy little stick shift car. </p>
<p>When home, my D started learning this summer. Not enough to prepare her for the year in France, but it’s a start. Her sister learned last year in an Americorps position, where she was expected to drive the stick shift truck as part of her duties. It was traumatic, but she is very glad to have learned. My old Dodge Caravan was a stick, a '89. </p>
<p>I wanted another stick van when shopping for another over 10 years ago, but they had stopped making them by that point. I gave the salesperson an earful. Yes, women can drive stick with a van full of kids. No big deal.</p>
<p>D nope and S nope, and I’m a third nope. H learned to drive a stick years ago when he decided to buy a sports car, but he eventually found it tiresome for in-town driving and has driven an automatic for many years–I wonder if he could easily pick it up again, if it’s like riding a bike. I figure the only reason to drive a stick nowadays is so you can compete on The Amazing Race (contestants are always having to drive stickshifts in various countries), and that isn’t likely to come up!</p>
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<p>Whenever I’ve inquired about rentals in Europe the only cars available with automatics were the expensive high-end models - usually a big Mercedes sedan.</p>
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<p>Yes, it comes right back, even after years of driving nothing but automatics.</p>
<p>My youngest DD drives a VW Beetle with a stick shift so yes, she can drive one. She loves it and thinks it makes her a bada** lol.</p>
<p>H knows; I do not. I learned on my father’s Datsun 280Zx when I was 16, but couldn’t do it today. We were in Europe last summer, which meant that H did all the driving, but we did take the car out to a rural area in Normandy and H showed both kids. I don’t think they could actually do it, though. It takes some real practice.</p>
<p>I looked for a driving school here to teach S (who was most interested) and had a hard time finding one.</p>
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That’s a good business opportunity–I’d consider sending my kids for lessons like that.</p>
<p>DH & I both learned on manual transmissions - an old VW beetle, 1961 & 1972 VW vans, as well as the Volvo 122s that looked like it had a nosebleed …</p>
<p>Both S1 & S2 learned to drive on the Bionic Pickup, which is a 1996 Ford Ranger with a manual transmission. (I always thought that an older pickup with stick shift was a good vehicle for teenage boys because it doesn’t go over 80 mph, but S2 proved me wrong on that point after pacing a Mercedes at 100 mph :eek:.) When S1 purchased his own car 18 mos ago, he bought a brand new Mini with stick shift. It is made by BMW.</p>
<p>DW can also drive a stick. She had an RX-7 until she got pregnant with our first. It is not a practical car for babies, and nearly impossible to get in and out of when you are 7+ months pregnant.</p>
<p>She still pines for that car…</p>