I realize this is a matter of opinion but I'm curious. I've never driven in Europe but we're going to be in Spain for two weeks and want to go when and where we want. I haven't driven a manual transmission since college (computers were the size of a bed if that gives you a clue as to my age). Is it like riding a bike? Will it all come back to me or will I endanger our lives or best case scenerio, just totally humiliate myself? I hate to spend the extra $$$ if I don't have to so wondered if any of you experienced going manual after years of automatic.

Thanks!

Yes, it's like riding a bike. Even if you reserve an automatic, you won't always get it.

We just rented a car recently with my dad in the UK - he hasn't driven a manual in years and it came right back to him. (He did struggle on the other side of the road though!)

Hi J,

I agree. It will come back to you.

I suggest that you spend a while getting used to the car and the gearbox.

You didn't have a 5-speed in the old days.

Have them show you how to put the car in reverse. It varies.

Enjoy your visit.

Make sure you know where the 'hand' brake is. Some newer models have an improved system with a push button brake and not a lever.

I drove a manual car in high school (and I think I'm older than you - we didn't HAVE computers!). Since that time I've only regularly driven automatics. We always request a manual car for our European trips in order to save money. One thing I've noticed, especially in these last few years, is that the cars are actually much easier to shift (especially the starting in 1st thing) than when I was growing up. We've occasionally put our teens behind the wheel for a quick try at a manual transmission and they can almost always get it going the 1st or 2nd time. I remember it took me forever to get the feel of the clutch.

So bottom line - I don't think you'll have any problem and you'll probably find it easier than you remember.

Click my name and read my Spain trip report. It will be on the first page by the top.

Basically I'll give you the gist of it:

If you try booking through AutoEurope's other English speaking international websites, you get a whole different list of cars and prices. But they still allow you to put in a US address (assuming you are from the US) so the voucher works with no problem. We needed an automatic and the US AutoEurope site was coming back over $1200. I tried the United Kingdom site and got a little Mercedes automatic for like $500. So I'm saying that you might be able to find a reasonable automatic and then not have to worry about it.

I second the suggestion that you get a review of reverse. That seems to be different on every car over there, but otherwise standard shift is a snap. Not only is it cheaper to rent but it gets better gas mileage.

I agree - It does come right back to you!

Also, driving in Spain is a pleasure. Roads were well marked and easily traveled!

Enjoy!

Spain is a good country for driving. Get the manual, an IDP, and do what irish said...make sure they show you how to get into reverse

Thanks everyone!!! As long as I don't have to park uphill I'm good to go!!!

also ask how to open the fuel filler door.. i spent hours trying to figure out one one time. very embarrasing..


just remember, its a rental car, dont be afraid to rev it up to 4k and drop teh clutch. they have to pay for the damages muhhcchcha

Actually, Hanley, I've seen some posts from others indicating that they have been charged for damage to a transmission or clutch, so be cautious about suggesting who would be responsible for the damage!

Don't assume you won' have to park (or stop at a light) uphill. There was a recent thread about a rental car that didn't have a conventional hand brake, but rather an improved semi-automatic or automatic parking brake.

He/she didn't know how to use it, didn't want to know how to use, and made a major stink here on Fodors about insisting on a good ole hand brake.

I wouldn't put anyone else behind the wheel (as mentioned above) unless they were listed on the rental agreement as extra drivers.

Also be sure you know how to get the key out of the ignition -- my friend drives a Saab, and one day I had her car and had no idea how to do that. Fortunately, the manual was in the glove compartment.

When in the UK we rent automatic - everywhere else manual. So you grind a few gears to begin with - one mile and you will know what you are doing. Good luck!!

Plan to spend a few minutes in the airport rental car parking lot getting used to the transmission. Yes, you will remember how to shift.

Here is another tip :

Before you leave that rental car lot, pop off the front wheel covers. In many places, street curbs in Europe are made of very sharp edged, hubcap-eating sharp stones. Losing wheelcovers is very very common.

Replacement wheel covers in Europe are expensive (At least $ 60 each for a plain one) and hard to find.

Life is so much easier if you just put the front wheel covers in the trunk before you ever leave the airport. Pop them back on just before you return the car.

TravelandNature

We did a couple of years ago driving through Benelux. It was not a positive experience. I hadn't driven a stick shift in 20 years, but thought I'd pick it up again with very little problem.

WRONG! Never again. It did not ruin the vacation by any means, but it was very inconvenient in traffic, on winding hill roads, etc. God, in His infinite wisdom, has provided us with automatic transmissions, and we should partake of His bounty.

I pretty sure the rental car company had to have the transmission overhauled after we turned the car in.

i agree that spain is a great country for driving. i know, i paid for the roads.

i'm not totally sure about spain (i always hire a small car and they are always manual as default) but here in the uk, larger, more luxurious cars are nearly always automatic. not as much so 5-10 years ago but manual is increasingly seen as a mark of a cheap, economy car....kind of like having a luxury car without aircon.