We're going to Crete in September and we're after hiring a car.  Quite fancied getting a convertable but they're all manual gears.  Has anybody done this before?  Is it an absolute nightmare if you're not used to it and should I just stick to a hatchback (automatic)?

 

Just driven couple hundred miles round California in an automatic pick up truck as carrying bikes around. Rules of the road seem to be pretty flexible maybe making allowances for the fact that the steering wheel doesnt appear to be connected to the front wheels.

Only encountered one roundabout as it's mostly crossroads where they take it in turns to go. Roundabouts too complicated for the yanks i believe. Paying under $ 3for a gallon through. Just as well as everything else is fuckin expensive even in hick towns.

 

Still cheap but a US Gallon is only about 3/4 of a proper imperial gallon

83.2%

 

happy to help

Hired car in Crete and went for a day out to the south shore. Let's just say it's hellishly mountainous. 300 foot sheer drops, unfortunately on Mrs D's side of the car.

She bottled it at the top and didn't want to do the down hill bit twice. We had to find somewhere to turn round and head back. Must admit, it was like a sheer cliff upwards and downwards with a 15' road.

Petrol is dearer here than in Blighty at about €1.56 per litre.

Road speeds are good though. It seems you check the sign and double it. Travelling 60kph in a 60kph zone just builds up a line of angry Greeks.

Edited June 14, 20179 yr by MickyD

Driven abroad several times and after the first hour or so it's fine. Worst experience though was going over narrow mountain roads in Slovenia. Came across a huge truck that expected me to reverse up to a sheer drop so he could squeeze past. That being scary was as much about it being an unfamiliar car as being on the wrong side of the road. Absolutely terrifying

Over in Spain at the moment, drive an auto now at home, so the biggest change for me is not just using the other hand but remembering to change gear. The positioning of the car on the correct side of the road is the simple bit

Chap who works with me drives an automatic.

When he drives the van he often forgets to change gear. If only engines could talk...

Just back from 4 weeks on the Iberian peninsula. Drove a good few thousand miles without the slightest problem in a diesel manual.

 

Just drive like they do and it's reet.

There's some scary rocky mountain roads in the U.S/Canada. A long drop to say the least.

You literally can't see the bottom.