pja1, I know what you mean. Those roads in AT/CH aren't interstates they are small two lane roads. If everybody would be going normal speed, everything would be o.k., they don't, they got a license and they still don't. Grrr...
People have no training AT ALL in going up or downhill, granted, but you just have to know a little bit about the laws of physics to know how to properly operate a car under those conditions.

It's not Tyroleans or Bavarians that are the problem it's ALWAYS cars with some other license plate. You just passed them and within a minute you're the last car in the next convoi... sigh!

logos,

We always pull over for faster traffic on passes.

Cheeseheads... watch for oncoming tour buses along the passes! They can get awful close, especially on the hairpin bends. Just be alert.

cheesyhead - here is another way to experience the swiss alps, cheaper than a porsche or SLK- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXWK8FE5kuw

In our 4 trips of Alps driving we have rented compact cars and they are roomy enough for 2 suitcases in the trunk and have had plenty of power.

Scubes- that is an insane video, although I don't think it would be as much fun going up..........

We actually are really good about pulling over for other drivers on the little roads we love. We realize that although WE are on vacation the rest of the world may not be.

My DH assures me he knows exactly how to drive the mountains and hairpins too, low gears, engine braking, blah blah - that is where I tune out Our best example of those hair pin turns and busses was driving around the Amalfi Coast - Mamma Mia - those were big busses for those little roads. I think we almost got creamed by a truck on a little turn in Ireland too. Fun stories after the fact!

Moosehead- didn't think about going up good point you will do well even in ur Ford-edge so go wag those fingers at the flatlining germans!

Sorry - I shou,d have said the passes often don;t open until summer - based on how much snow there is. Obviously they will stay open until the major snow arrives again.

And I do admit to liking to drive fast cars fast - and can;t stand it when I have trouble merging into highway traffic. I;ve hd it happen in the US too - we got a Nissan Sentra in Oralndo with I think about 100 HP. There is a highway entrance in Orlando where the ramp is uphill and you enter on the left versus the right - so into traffic doing 70. I was standing up on the gas pedal of that little piggy trying to get it up over 50 going uphill. Ever since then I opt for more rather than less when I rent - since you never know.

As for my personal car, it's small but geared properly to get the most from the engine (only 190 HP) and is very stingy on gas - but has great pick up. but, when it's your own car you can do all the research and test drive to be sure what you're getting.

Cheesehead, my hubbie is in the auto industry, which is why we got to live in Germany for 2.5 years. And yes, we are now back in the flatlands of southeast Michigan!

It's really too bad that high-performance cars are so expensive to rent...it's just not fair for those of us who love to drive! Someday I hope we can take European delivery of a nice German automobile and relive that driving experience...