Manual Shift Rental Car

Sean · Member

Manual Shift Rental Car

CCJPO · Member

Sean,

The pedals for the clutch, break and gas are located in the same positions as what you are driving in the U.S. Using a stick in Ireland is not that difficult. In fact I rarely get out of 3rd gear when driving in Ireland, unless I am on a main road, which isn't very often, as we like to take as many of the secondary and thirdary roads as possible. It is so much easier to get lost that way, and getting lost in Ireland and Northern Ireland is about the best way to see what people talk about as "the real Ireland." Good luck

Oh yes, don't forget that the cost for a manual transmission is as much 2/3rds less then the cost of an automatic.

Sean · Member

Thanks CCJPO!

I'm going to be spending 10 days in Ireland this summer and that is going to save me a lot of money! And I couldn't agree more about the "getting lost" thing - what a great idea. Thanks for the help!

Sean

Michele Erdvig · Host

Sean,

CCJPO has given you good advice about driving a manual car in Ireland. Probably the only problems you might have is trying to get in on the wrong side and when you go for the turn signals, turning on the wipers instead. It will give you a laugh when it happens anyway. Do talk a look at my "Car Rental" page for some good tips.

Michele

kathy · Veteran Member

We had to rent cars the first 4 months of our tenure here. transportation was provided for in our contract but it was compensation only - we had to do all the booking and such.

from shannon airport, i consistently found the best rates from budget.

most coupon codes from the states didn't seem to be of help.

also, there is some strange law that a car must be exchanged every 28 days. we once were allowed to keep it 31 but that was exceptional they tell me. if you are here for a month or longer, make sure they don't expect you to drive out of your way to switch the car.

also, all the individual airports have webpages with links to the specific companies that have on-site rental counters. it is worth it to check for less known brands like 'dooleys' or 'irish car rentals'

Green Dragon · Guru

Keep in mind that the shift lever is on the left... which is very strange sometimes! However, you quickly get used to it. Like mentioned above, the pedals are still in the same order left to right as they are in the states.