Posted by cj
on October 9, 2009, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: American Cars"
88.151.27.232
It really wasn't that bad. Just jumped in and took it slowly at first.
I was well used to driving manual in the US. The shift pattern is the same as in the states, meaning first gear is the above left, second is down left side, etc. If the shift pattern was reversed, now THAT would be really hard to get used to.
The indicators, winshield wipers, etc, are in the same places as well so like Scott said, the hardest part is keeping to the left side of the road. Pay particular attention to your lanes when you get to roundabouts and exiting parking lots where things aren't marked out for you.
--Previous Message--
: If you're used to driving a manual shift, then
: the change is a piece of cake. Your feet
: work the same, it takes only a short while
: to get used to working the shift lever with
: your left hand instead of your right.
:
: For a couple of days, you have to watch out
: that you stay in the left lane instead of
: the right, but that comes swiftly as well.
:
: What was the biggest hassle for me was using
: the mirror. You have to look left instead of
: right and it was months before I stopped
: relying on the outside mirror and started
: checking the indoor mirror properly.
:
: But, millions of people make the changeover
: regularly around the planet so it's not some
: kind of impossible task.
:
: Harder than chewing bubble gum and walking
: at the same time. Easier than winning the
: Nobel Prize for Physics.
:
: Scott
:
: --Previous Message--
: I had learned to drive a manual truck in the
: states, which seemed to help a bit once I
: started driving here. Though all the cars I
: owned were automatics when I lived there and
: I always rented the same when I traveled
: over. That said, I found it took me a few
: weeks of driving to feel comfortable with
: the manual car I bought.
:
: --Previous Message--
: How hard was it (or how long did it take) to
: learn to shift with the left hand, for those
: that have braved it?
:
: I rented an automatic when I was in Dublin
: last trip and it was a piece of cake.
:
: It would be a whole other story if I had to
: shift, however. I'm used to the right hand
: shift.
:
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: On that note - finding someone both familiar
: and reliable for repairing an automatic car
: might be as big a challenge as finding one.
:
: --Previous Message--
: I don't know about repairing them, but my
: DH's
: aunt has an automatic Micra (very tiny car).
:
: They have gotten a little easier to find and
: are more popular with older learner drivers.
:
:
:
: --Previous Message--
: A bit more costly, but plenty to be found
: and
: not necessarily larger. Prices on all used
: cars have really come down this year.
: I suppose it depends on what you
: need/want/expect/ and are used to driving.
: --Previous Message--
: Now how is it I guessed that would cause me
: problems Scott; I might give that up if I
: get a look at the prices when there.
:
: --Previous Message--
: Well, now, an automatic is another whole
: problem...
:
: Not common, more expensive, generally larger
: cars...
:
: Scott
:
: --Previous Message--
: Thank you Scott and CJ, good advice. I had
: looked at some prices for new cars that were
: way too much but if good used cars are
: available I'd certainly go that way. Might
: even try to find an automatic....
:
: --Previous Message--
: I agree, don't bother.
:
: It's dangerous. Too easy to end up on the
: wrong side of the road due to habit. Too
: awkward at tolls, parking garages, etc.
:
: If you are going to live in the country,
: it's impossible to pass without a proper
: car. I end up passing a tractor with a
: slurry tank, turf wagon or silage load
: daily. I'd go crazy if I couldn't see to
: pass and got stuck behind them.
:
: Like Scott said, you can get a decent used
: car at resonable prices. New cars are crazy
: expensive and actually getting rare on the
: roads these days when everyone is minding
: their money.
:
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