A few years ago, when I got my drivers license the instructor told us: "Last week a lady approached me, she wanted to learn how to drive on a car with automatic transmision. Unfortunately I told this to my pals at the diner. The answer was: "Wow, you call yourself a driving instructor, and yet you cant tell people how to drive?".

It is still a disgrace for anyone to admit, not being able to drive with manual transmission in Germany.

i thought the reason manual transmission had always remained popular in europe was fuel efficiency in hilly towns full of roundabouts and alleys. engines were always smaller than in the US. less percentage of driving is done on freeways. automatics cant give anything near the fuel efficiency of a human correctly selecting and anticipating gear changes.

they are more reliable too and have less parts.

but if you are willing to pay for the fuel, why should anyone laugh cause you dont use a clutch?

I wonder if Germans realize their idol Schumacher doesnt use a manual clutch in his Grand Prix car.

I could only find smart car rentals for a minimum of three days, but I only need 2. Has anybody found smart car rentals for less than three days?

>why should anyone laugh cause you dont use a clutch?

Its a MACHO thing, imagine peer pressure in school, and you are the only one not intelligent enough to learn a simple thing like driving... You may think intelligent grown up people shouldnt have a problem with this, but many folks in Germany (and Italy aswell?) think you re a "retard". A car isnt just a car..., its a think to boost your self esteem.

>Has anybody found smart car rentals for less than three days?

@aceKing Where in Italy?

@aceKing Where in Italy?

I am looking to putt around in a smart car while in the Bologna area. I am thinking about driving straight to Maranello instead of taking the train/bus via Modena.

There is a sixti office at Pisa airport. Prices start from 5 Euro/ day, but expect to pay 10 Euro plus 7 Euros insurance.
And the car will have a huge sticker on boths sides saying "Im only 5 Euros" and only 100km a day are included. Extra km are 13ct/km. A "day" is between 10am and 10am the next day. Bring back the car on time and read the fine print!

I dont think there is a less expensive alternative, although you will have to do some driving.

http://www.sixti.com/cgi-perl/rental/el#

Thanks logos!

I once worked for a company that had a SmartCar for its company car. Nobody there was that enamored of it--noisy, no storage space, not very comfortable. As far as small cars go, I'd much rather have a Citroen C3. More practical, fun to drive (and also available as an automatic), almost as easy to park as the Smart.
At any rate, the SmartCar is having ongoing financial difficulties.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/02/bu...02daimler.html