| Author |
Message |
    
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 95
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 - 4:08 pm: | 
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Hi,
I will be going to Europe for a few weeks this summer, and the wife wants me to rent a car for a few days. It seems that the rental car agencies in Prague do not have any supply of automatic transmission autos for rent. I have never driven a manual transmission car before.
Is there a local driving school which can teach me? Or, if you own a manual transmission car and can spend some time with me, I would gladly pay.
Thanks
Marc Adler
www.millburnweb.com
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peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 127
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 - 4:26 pm: |
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Marc --
No manual tranny car, sorry. I was in the same spot as you a few years back. Rented a stick shift from a VW dealer for a long weekend. Stalled it more than a few times (ha!) -- but that was long enough to seem comfortable driving a stick - in town, parkway, etc.
When we landed in Munich and got the rental -- it was the most embarassing first few miles that I've ever had in a car!
Seriously, though -- if you and your wife are not into manuals -- pace yourselves. Don't try to drive in Prague in the height of traffic. And if might be a very good idea for your wife to learn, too -- just in case you need help driving.
Have fun!
Pete |
Michael Janay
Citizen
Username: Childprotect
Post Number: 41
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 4, 2003 - 11:31 pm: |
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If you rent the car, I'll gladly teach you.
Privateline me if your interested. |
#9Dream
Citizen
Username: 9dream
Post Number: 360
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 10:22 am: |
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Magmasystems -- I think Michael's offer is reasonable. You'll find that people are reluctant to use their own cars to teach someone else how to drive a stick, since the learning process can be a bit rough on the transmission. |
prodx
Citizen
Username: Prodx
Post Number: 80
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 10:45 am: |
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Magma,
I have an automatic, but as Michael said, if you rent one I can spend some time with you on showing you. I have been driving tick sinc I was 17, but have gotten lazy as of late. Plus with a child in the back it is a hassle to hand snacks and toys to the back in between shifts.
email me if you are interested prod_dave@hotmail.com |
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 75
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 11:23 am: |
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I don't knowif they teach manual, but Silbernagel Driving School (on Millburn ave) has an excellent reputation. |
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 97
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 11:31 am: |
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Thanks for the offers.. I will see if I can rent a car locally. I don't expect anyone to give me a shot at *their* car and risk me stripping the gears! Silbernagel does not have manual tranny cars.
-marc
http://www.millburnweb.com |
shoshannah
Citizen
Username: Shoshannah
Post Number: 144
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 12:27 pm: |
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I don't know where you'd even find one to rent. The number of Americans who know how to drive them is dwindling. A cop once told me that a stick shift if the best anti-theft device because the thieves can't drive your car away. |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 823
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 5, 2003 - 9:52 pm: |
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Maybe I should ask my insurance company to give me an additional discount for my Honda Civic 5-speed! I never thought about it being a discouragement to thieves ... I just think it's more fun to drive! (except when stuck in traffic, of course.)
When I was a teenager and my parents were the only ones in the whole world (I thought) who had manual transmission cars, I was mortally embarassed to drive my friends around with the stick shift (on the column no less) But, as an adult, I sure have been glad to know how to drive it and I plan to inflict it on my children as well when they are of driving age. At least the Honda will be a slightly more socially acceptable vehicle for them than the old chevys my parents insisted on buying with the standard transmissions.
Sorry for the drift ... |
nsolomon
Citizen
Username: Nsolomon
Post Number: 59
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 1:12 pm: |
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Just private lined you. But if it doesn't work, then call me. I'd be happy to give lessons with my own car, and would be interested in a trade for your computer consulting.
Nancy 275-1744
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jeffl
Citizen
Username: Jeffl
Post Number: 127
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 10:30 pm: |
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Sure fire way to learn to drive a stick...
1. Don't touch the gas.
2. Slowly release the clutch until the car starts to roll.
3. Do number 2 fifty times until you are comfortable with where the clutch engages.
4. Now, and only now, give it gas when the car begins to roll.
5. Do #4 fifty times.
6. You can now drive a stick. |
jfburch
Citizen
Username: Jfburch
Post Number: 607
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 11:14 pm: |
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Sure fire way to learn to drive a stick:
1) get housesitting gig in rural, hilly, upstate NY
2) get only available job--delivering pizza
3) get cheapest available junk car--with stick
4) live to tell the tale
And, of course, you could do it in 2 steps
1) rent car in Prague
2) live to tell the tale
But if you combine jeffl's advice with nsolomon's offer you should really be in good shape. |
magmasystems
Citizen
Username: Magmasystems
Post Number: 102
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 6:44 am: |
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Thanks to all who email'ed me with offers to help.
The latest is that my wife and I plan on taking the night train between Prague and Krakow. This way, we get a each destination int he morning with a fresh head, rather than having me blurry-eyed from 8 hours worth of driving.
Also, if need be, I found an agency in Prague that has a good supply of auto transmission cars. I was only lokking on Expedia for rental agencies.. but once you really use the Internet and search out local dealers, you can do better than the few that Expedia lists.
-marc |
ffof
Citizen
Username: Ffof
Post Number: 1244
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 9:10 am: |
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so lame! Learn to drive the damn standard! |
us2innj
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 737
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 - 10:11 am: |
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jeffl wrote:
"Do number 2 fifty times"
ouch |
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