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)?

 

the main issue it toll booths and parking. you need a passenger to sort that out if you are in a uk car  

First time I did it on Rhodes, coincidentally, I instantly forgot and almost went head on into an oncoming car going round a bend!

 

Sharp wake up call . . .

 

The gears, pedals etc seemed intuitive enough though

In America you can turn right on a red light at some junctions. Brits don't and soon build up a queue of horn-honking yanks.

In America you can turn right on a red light at some junctions. Brits don't and soon build up a queue of horn-honking yanks.

Some time ago I seem to remember Tories saying they would introduce something similar if they got in.

I think it was Labour. Pretty sure Blair said he wanted to introduce it.

I think it was Labour. Pretty sure Blair said he wanted to introduce it.

make your mind up, Labour or Blair?

In America you can turn right on a red light at some junctions. Brits don't and soon build up a queue of horn-honking yanks.

Aye

 

Happened to me but there was no way I was going anywhere till green

I managed it in Portugal - the hardest bit was working out were the nearest petrol station was after I'd picked the car up. After about 15 minutes, its a breeze.

Mopeds, shorts and flip flops only.

I've been driving in France for the last 12 years mainly in my own car but sometimes in a left hand drive. I find it easier than over here Just adjust the door mirror so you get a longer view for overtaking, if your worried about the gear shift there is not much difference and you will soon get used to it being on the other side but it may be worth getting an automatic it will reduce the stress levels. 

Mopeds, shorts and flip flops only.

You forgot the coal shovel.

I've been driving in France for the last 12 years

Are you lost?

I've been driving in France for the last 12 years mainly in my own car but sometimes in a left hand drive. I find it easier than over here Just adjust the door mirror so you get a longer view for overtaking, if your worried about the gear shift there is not much difference and you will soon get used to it being on the other side but it may be worth getting an automatic it will reduce the stress levels.

That's the thing - we fancy getting a convertible for the week but they're all manual. The automatic ones are shit!

Why are automatics shit ? Just out of interest

We hired a car in South Africa - I couldn't remember how to start a manual after years of driving an automatic. Luckily they drive on the right side of the road...

That's the thing - we fancy getting a convertible for the week but they're all manual. The automatic ones are shit!

Just get the manual all the controls and foot pedals are the same it's just the gear shift that is in a different place, after 5 minutes of driving you won't notice the difference.

Why are automatics shit ? Just out of interest

I'm not say that no all automatics are shit. Just that the ones that are available in crete are shit. In fact I'm not even saying that. I'm just saying that we fancy a convertible. Half the time I drive a Hyundai Getz and the other half a Skoda so I'm not exactly Jeremy Clarkson about it.

Haha ok just wondered. I like autos and especially left hand drive and will make life easier for sure

Haha ok just wondered. I like autos and especially left hand drive and will make life easier for sure

I drove an automatic about 10,000k around Oz and it was grand. We just fancied something a little fancy as we're both turning 40 in the same week we're away.

Never done it in all my years. Spend every day driving so last thing I want to do is get in a car on holiday

 

That said last year was in Estapona and fancied a day trip to Gibraltar. Cheapest way was to hire a car. Hadn't taken my licence with me. Mrs Manc had hers so hired a Fiesta. She drives an automatic. Fuck me, every time she changed gear we swerved towards the central reservation with these massive fucking gear changes like an articulated lorry

 

Had a Fitbit at the time. My heart rate was hitting 200 a lot of the journey

I drove an automatic about 10,000k around Oz and it was grand. We just fancied something a little fancy as we're both turning 40 in the same week we're away.

Had the pleasure of 5000k round oz myself in November last year. Auto was a godsend

Had the pleasure of 5000k round oz myself in November last year. Auto was a godsend

I presume you mean 5K and not 5000K....that would be an epic bought of driving

You presume right although it felt like 5000kkm with my missus mithering like fuck every 50km wanting to stop

Edited May 26, 20179 yr by Escobarp

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)?

 

 

Fucking simple. Never had a problem and done it in about 20 countries. First couple of days I find myself looking out of the window for the rear view mirror and then the same when I get home. Soon subsides but other than this a breeze.

 

I drove Zozzytours Alicante-Madrid-Alicante legs in a fucking great bus and was dying of man flu on the return trip. Don´t be mard.

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.