Are shift cars there like ours with a clutch? I rented 10 years ago in England and it didn't have a clutch still I shifted the stick. Is that considered an 'automatic' over there? There seems to be a big difference in price but if there is no clutch with the manual....I think I could swing the left side of road. Any adivce....I've heard people say get the automatic because of the left side of the road.
Posted by
OP
Richmond, Virginia, USA
35 posts
Do you shift opposite with feet? Sounds stupid but gotta ask.
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
Footwork is the same, pedals (clutch, brake, accel) are all in the same sequence as here. It is the stick being to your left vs. right that is the main difference.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
What you describe is what I had on my most recent trip to Ireland. It's technically an automatic, but can also be driven as a stick. It cost the same as an automatic, though. The manuals I have had in Ireland have a clutch. It's not that difficult to adjust to shifting with the left hand. The shifting pattern is the same, it's just on your other side.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Whenever I have rented in England it has been an automatic like I drive in Los Angeles. So they do have "real" automatics. gas and brakes on usual USA side- thank goodness.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Yes, Brian, they have "regular" automatics, too. And the gas/brake pedals are on the same side as here (brake on the left, gas on the right), just as they are on the auto/manual combo cars and the manuals (with the addition of a clutch on the left, just like here).
Posted by
OP
Richmond, Virginia, USA
35 posts
So automatic transmissions in Ireland are not like ours even though there are no clutches?
Posted by
Kingsville, Ontario
165 posts
Bob they are the same. Only the steering wheel is on the other side. Book a car that's sold in the US ie VW Golf, Focus. Might make you more comfortable.
Posted by
OP
Richmond, Virginia, USA
35 posts
Thank you everyone.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
Bob I have had regular automatics in Europe. Only the one time in Ireland did I get the "combo" type of transmission. We just drove it in automatic mode. But there are regular, US-style automatic cars, too. The combo car I had was an Opel, which isn't sold in the US.