I would like to learn how to drive a manual. But how can I do this? I doubt if any of my friends even have manual cars and if they do, can I ask them to teach me to drive?
Can I find a standard car to rent (doubtful) and if so, where would I learn to drive it--here in Manhattan?

I'd imagine there are driving schools who can teach you how to drive a standard.


If you already drive it would
only take a couple of hours to get you gong with a clutch.

Rob

eks, for many years I rented automatics in Italy because I hadn't driven on in 20 years. When I decided to just practice up and therefore be able to rent automatics, I couldn't find ANYWHERE to rent or obtain a manual transmission car in the NYC area.

The closest I could get was to rent a Mini from a luxury rental company in Manhattan -- and the cost was so high, I didn't bother.

I did find that when I rented a stick shift on my next visit, I hadn't forgotten a thing. But I had learned to drive one as a teen, and drove one for two decades after that -- so I can't advise about what it would be like for you.

Were I still living in the states, I would probably try to think if I knew anybody who drove a small truck in the countryside who would let me practice.

<i><font color=blue>&quot;&quot;thanks for the lesson...although your logic is flawed...i never said...i stand by my statement&quot;&quot;</font></i>

Why so defensive? It's a conversation, walkin, not a contest. Relax. Shift the tude into neutral, please.

eks - How about this one?

Stick Shift Lessons

Learning how to drive a stick shift has never been easier. Let our professional and experienced instructors show you the ins and outs of handling those tricky standard transmission cars. Sign up and our instructors will show you how to drive a stick in no time.

http://www.masterdrivingschool.com/courses.html

Ky: Are you saying that I have NO excuse??!!!! Ok, ok...I will think about this idea!! Thanks for the info!

Here is an article on learning to drive a manual car in preparation for a European trip. (Please note that the &quot;costly lesson&quot; described in the first paragraph occurred with MY rental car in the Dordogne!! The mishap did provide a good lead to the story though!) )

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle...in_europe.html

The only catch with a manual trans in my case is my inability to idle and then shift on a hill and there are so many hill towns in Tuscany. The car starts to roll back and then I panic. Too many times I have stalled the engine on those hills, otherwise I like driving a manual and had one or two in Los Angeles for years.

Yes, dealing with a manual transmission when stopped facing upward on a hill definitely requires a little experience, more than an hour or two. I remember teaching my son here in hilly Seattle. In the US the public schools teach kids to drive but only automatic transmission.

But, to the OP (original poster), I do hope you're considering trains instead, for the reasons I elaborated on in my previous post.

eks - You can do it!

If you like to drive my personal opinion is you won't have any problems. I never do. Maybe I have just been lucky but I think it's great. I too use Kemwel and order my automatics in advance. My last trip to France and Italy this past September they didn't have my car so I had to wait an hour for them to get one for me but they upgraded to this really nice SUV with a back-up camera and GPS... I had taken along my own TomTom 920 but only used it when walking around because the GPS in the car was obviously far superior in details.

So on that note I recommend a GPS...

Have a great trip....I am jealous...I don't have any trips planned at the moment and I am getting itchy feet....

Take Care...

Areala