Me and the gf are thinking of taking 3 or 4 weeks to travel, still a bit clueless but I know we have some knowledgeable people in the area :)
We don't drive, which may be a problem, especially as we're not too keen on package tours either.
First rough itinerary: Anchorage, train to Denali, train to Fairbanks, bus to Dawson, bus to Whitehorse, bus and train to White Pass and Skagway, boat to Inside Passage, Sitka and Pr.Rupert, train to Jasper, bus to Banff, bus to Vancouver (+Island if there's time left).
Other places up for consideration: Kodiak, Aleutian islands, Nome, Tuktoyaktuk, these are probably not all that realistic.
My first comment is - the bus? You sure about that?
Yukon and area does not have great tourist-grade bus transportation. Thats going to be a fairly rough means of travel. I wouldn't recommend it.
The trains however are geared towards tourists.
You might be better looking at going on more of a package tour. That will also be travelling by bus, but one oriented towards tourists.
More later...
IIRC Greyhound has a pretty reasonably priced pass. Don't know what the connections are like between those specific cities, but the Greyhound is actually not a bad way to travel in North America if you are backpacking.
In any case Mal, let me know when you're headed for Vancouver and we can grab some beer and/or dinner or something :)
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2012, 12:23:05 PM
My first comment is - the bus? You sure about that?
Yukon and area does not have great tourist-grade bus transportation. Thats going to be a fairly rough means of travel. I wouldn't recommend it.
The trains however are geared towards tourists.
You might be better looking at going on more of a package tour. That will also be travelling by bus, but one oriented towards tourists.
More later...
I'd prefer trains over buses any time but as far as I can tell there aren't any in the Yukon... :huh:
I'm looking at some shuttle-type buses in Alaska, they seem to be geared to tourists, and the upside is that it's just single journeys so you're not stuck in a group for days.
Quote from: Maladict on December 01, 2012, 01:04:43 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2012, 12:23:05 PM
My first comment is - the bus? You sure about that?
Yukon and area does not have great tourist-grade bus transportation. Thats going to be a fairly rough means of travel. I wouldn't recommend it.
The trains however are geared towards tourists.
You might be better looking at going on more of a package tour. That will also be travelling by bus, but one oriented towards tourists.
More later...
I'd prefer trains over buses any time but as far as I can tell there aren't any in the Yukon... :huh:
I'm looking at some shuttle-type buses in Alaska, they seem to be geared to tourists, and the upside is that it's just single journeys so you're not stuck in a group for days.
No, there aren't.
The general problem with your plan is I think you're not realizing just how huge and empty that part of the world is. Especially when you talk about going down to Banff and Jasper - that's like going from Spain through to Moscow.
If I may, your itinerary leaves out the absolute Crown Jewel of a Yukon visit - Dawson City and the Klondike. You must go there.
I'm going to throw out a few alternative itineraries:
1. Fly into Edmonton. Rent a car and buy a tent, or rent an RV. Drive up the Alaska Highway. The Highway itself is worth the trip itself - there's a lot of charm, beauty and history to it. Go up to Whitehorse, take a side trip to Skagway, then continue up the Highway to Beaver Creek, and Tok. Turn at Delta Junction heading south. Go to Anchorage, and spend a few days in Homer / Seward. Then leave Anchorage and head north (which is a different highway than you came in on). See Mt McKinley, go to Fairbanks if you want (though not much to see there).
Start heading back down the highway, but just past Tok take the Top of the World Highway to Dawson (very rough highway, but absolutely stunning views). Visit Dawson City. Travel back down to Whitehorse and head back down the highway. Depending on your time, to avoid too much backtracking, take Highway 37 through Dease Lake, then Highway 16 back to Edmonton going through Jasper. This route is much longer, so you could just drive back down the Alaska Highway.
This route gives you the romance of the Alaska Highway. Having your own vehicle will help tremendously - most of these towns do not have any sort of public transportation or taxis.
2. Fly into Anchorage (Condor Air does a direct flight Frankfurt - Whitehorse - Anchorage twice per week). Again rent a car or RV. Again visit Homer, Seward, Mt McKinley. Go to Dawson City. Depending on time, drive the Dempster Highway to Inuvik (never done it, wish I had) and ross the Arctic circle. drive down to Whitehorse. Go to Skagway, take ferry to Juneau and/or Ketchikan. Then again take the ferry back to Anchorage.
This is less driving, gives you time in the Alaska Panhandle. You don't get the Alaska Highway. The Ferry with a car is pretty darn expensive (think $500-$1000). As an alternative you can simply drive back to Anchorage.
3. This is perhaps the simplesst. Fly into Vancouver. Take an Alaskan cruise - stops in all the ports in SE Alaska. I believe through your cruise company you can also get off the boat and do a multi-day bus tour of Yukon / Alaska. You'll hit most of the stops you'll want to see, everything will be taken care of for you - just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Unless you're really looking forward to "backpacking" holiday, I would recommend against taking the bus all over the place.
Hmm. I only just now noticed the "we don't drive". Seriously though, my advice remains unchanged. If you have to, learn. It's a useful life skill in any event. Driving up there is nothing like driving in Europe - the lack of traffic makes it much, much easier. You just have to watch for wildlife at night, but then again in the summer there isn't much night.
And if you absolutely can not drive, then take a package tour.
Thanks for that, I appreciate it. I'm afraid driving really is out, don't have a license and not really planning on getting one. The costs would cancel the North America trip in any case.
I've taken a bus from Toronto to Calgary before so I'm sure I can handle the distances :)
Also, I didn't leave out Dawson :Canuck:
Quote from: Maladict on December 01, 2012, 03:28:22 PM
Thanks for that, I appreciate it. I'm afraid driving really is out, don't have a license and not really planning on getting one. The costs would cancel the North America trip in any case.
I've taken a bus from Toronto to Calgary before so I'm sure I can handle the distances :)
Also, I didn't leave out Dawson :Canuck:
:huh: Now I'm not in Europe, but in my experience the cost of getting a drivers license is trivial compared to the costs of the trip you are proposing.
Now I've never taken a bus up north, but I'm guessing they'd be a whole different level of "rough" than a Toronto-Calgary bus trip would be. But like I said if you're looking for a "backpacking"-type holiday then go for it. I don't know how old you are Mal or what you're looking for in terms of amenities. But if you don't mind sleeping on a bus for a night here or there it is doable.
I think most Yuro countries require a driving course that costs a trillion yuros before you get a license.
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2012, 03:37:11 PM
:huh: Now I'm not in Europe, but in my experience the cost of getting a drivers license is trivial compared to the costs of the trip you are proposing.
Now I've never taken a bus up north, but I'm guessing they'd be a whole different level of "rough" than a Toronto-Calgary bus trip would be. But like I said if you're looking for a "backpacking"-type holiday then go for it. I don't know how old you are Mal or what you're looking for in terms of amenities. But if you don't mind sleeping on a bus for a night here or there it is doable.
Provided I fail the test once or twice (likely), I'll be looking at around 2000 euros. Also, I believe most rental companies require foreigners to have had a license for at least a year. Or maybe that's just a euro thing.
I'll have a look at package stuff for Alaska and the Yukon, could indeed be more comfortable.
Roughing it on the greyhound might just be a tad different when you're not 18 anymore, but 33. <_<
I'm pretty sure we'll be fine moving south from Skagway, the ferries seem pretty straightforward, as does the Prince Rupert to Jasper train service.
Something else, does it make sense to go out of summer?
Depends how much out of summer you're talking about. Late May and early September are the tail ends of the season and prices might be a bit cheaper, while temperatures are still comfortable enough.
Beyond that though - no, it does not. Tourist season is over, and a lot of those amenities are closed for the season.
What possessed you to want to go to Alaska-Yukon?
You should take the train from Vancouver to Seattle. Then the Empire Builder from Seattle through Spokane to Chicago.
Quote from: Maladict on December 01, 2012, 05:05:49 PM
Provided I fail the test once or twice (likely), I'll be looking at around 2000 euros. Also, I believe most rental companies require foreigners to have had a license for at least a year. Or maybe that's just a euro thing.
Europe is a horrible place. -_-
Quote from: citizen k on December 01, 2012, 05:42:33 PM
What possessed you to want to go to Alaska-Yukon?
You should take the train from Vancouver to Seattle. Then the Empire Builder from Seattle through Spokane to Chicago.
It's really beautiful up there?
I've been looking at the Amtrak routes and the Empire Builder is tempting, it's a hassle making stops along the way though.
But yes, it's a backup plan in case the northern plans fall apart.
Quote from: Maladict on December 01, 2012, 12:16:16 PM
Me and the gf are thinking of taking 3 or 4 weeks to travel, still a bit clueless but I know we have some knowledgeable people in the area :)
We don't drive, which may be a problem, especially as we're not too keen on package tours either.
First rough itinerary: Anchorage, train to Denali, train to Fairbanks, bus to Dawson, bus to Whitehorse, bus and train to White Pass and Skagway, boat to Inside Passage, Sitka and Pr.Rupert, train to Jasper, bus to Banff, bus to Vancouver (+Island if there's time left).
Other places up for consideration: Kodiak, Aleutian islands, Nome, Tuktoyaktuk, these are probably not all that realistic.
The Anchorage to Fairbanks part is reasonable, i know there is some kind of bus to Whitehorse and Haines if want to take ferry down to Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau.
There is also ferry out to Aleutians that stops in Kodiak.
Only way to and back from Nome is flight.
Quote from: Maladict on December 01, 2012, 05:05:49 PM
Quote from: Barrister on December 01, 2012, 03:37:11 PM
:huh: Now I'm not in Europe, but in my experience the cost of getting a drivers license is trivial compared to the costs of the trip you are proposing.
Now I've never taken a bus up north, but I'm guessing they'd be a whole different level of "rough" than a Toronto-Calgary bus trip would be. But like I said if you're looking for a "backpacking"-type holiday then go for it. I don't know how old you are Mal or what you're looking for in terms of amenities. But if you don't mind sleeping on a bus for a night here or there it is doable.
Provided I fail the test once or twice (likely), I'll be looking at around 2000 euros. Also, I believe most rental companies require foreigners to have had a license for at least a year. Or maybe that's just a euro thing.
I'll have a look at package stuff for Alaska and the Yukon, could indeed be more comfortable.
Roughing it on the greyhound might just be a tad different when you're not 18 anymore, but 33. <_<
I'm pretty sure we'll be fine moving south from Skagway, the ferries seem pretty straightforward, as does the Prince Rupert to Jasper train service.
Something else, does it make sense to go out of summer?
Is there a way around this? Unless you are in some very specific areas, you really need a car in the US/Canada. Maybe there is another US state/ Canadian province / other European country you could get a license from? Maybe you could just get a learners permit in Denmark and figure not every rental company will be able to tell the difference of a Danish language document (that seems risky)? Or maybe you could just find someone to rent a car under the table before you leave?
I checked Hertz in Fairbanks Alaska. Nothing restricted rentals based on the term of the license. This is the only applicable part:
QuoteAn acceptable, valid driver's license issued from your country of residence must be presented at the time of rental. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period. If the driver's license is in a language other than English, and the rental is in the United States, an International Driver's Permit is recommended. In all cases, a valid driver's license issued from your home country must be provided, whether or not you possess an International Driver's Permit. You will not be allowed to rent a Hertz vehicle with only an International Driver's Permit.
Quote from: katmai on December 01, 2012, 06:16:37 PM
Only way to and back from Nome is flight.
Or dog sled. :contract:
This kinda matches your itinerary...but I am sure is outside your price range...but does kinda show what might be realistic in a 3-week timeframe...it actually seems rather rushed to me...but then, your goals are pretty ambitious.
http://www.alaskafares.com/tourpackages/motorcoach/legendary.html
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 01, 2012, 04:37:06 PM
I think most Yuro countries require a driving course that costs a trillion yuros before you get a license.
2000 EUR in Austria is what you look at. I don't have a license. For most friends the parents financed the license when they turned 18, but my parents were poor, and we didn't have a car, anyways (rather unusual in Germany). Later, when I had the money, I didn't see the need, and the cost for having a car in Vienna easily outweigh the use I'd get out of it - I'd only need it for vacations or when I take a trip to the country side.
If I ever moved back into a rural area I'd go for a license and car, I guess.
Quote from: Tonitrus on December 01, 2012, 09:26:44 PM
This kinda matches your itinerary...but I am sure is outside your price range...but does kinda show what might be realistic in a 3-week timeframe...it actually seems rather rushed to me...but then, your goals are pretty ambitious.
http://www.alaskafares.com/tourpackages/motorcoach/legendary.html
If you want to tour that area in 3 weeks, then the itinerary seems reasonable.
But this goes back to why I think a car/tenting is a good idea. Take it from someone who has been there - while the landscape is jaw-droppingly beautiful, there is fuck all to do in most of the towns. You do not want to spend a night in Grande Prairie, Watson Lake, Beaver Creek, Dease Lake, or Tok.
But what you DO want to do is camp somewhere outside all of those locations (well except for Grande Prairie, which as the name implies is in the middle of the bald prairie).
Just do it. Don't listen to the nay-sayers.
Quote from: Jacob on December 01, 2012, 12:47:50 PM
IIRC Greyhound has a pretty reasonably priced pass. Don't know what the connections are like between those specific cities, but the Greyhound is actually not a bad way to travel in North America if you are backpacking.
Also, to meet the fellow traveller who will stab you in your motel room?
Quote from: Tonitrus on December 01, 2012, 09:26:44 PM
This kinda matches your itinerary...but I am sure is outside your price range...but does kinda show what might be realistic in a 3-week timeframe...it actually seems rather rushed to me...but then, your goals are pretty ambitious.
http://www.alaskafares.com/tourpackages/motorcoach/legendary.html
Yeah, that looks about right, price is doable too. I just don't see myself doing that kind of group tour.
Even among friends, when we come across someplace interesting and I'm the only one who wants to go see it, I tell them to go fuck themselves and we'll meet at the hotel for dinner.
Because that's the kind of sociable person I am. :cool:
Looking at that itinerary, going from Whitehorse to Skagway and back and not being able to see the Chilkoot pass even though it's just a few miles away, that shit just isn't going to happen.
edit: oh wait, the price doesn't include getting there and back. That's not doable, then.
Quote from: Syt on December 02, 2012, 12:07:15 AM
2000 EUR in Austria is what you look at. I don't have a license. For most friends the parents financed the license when they turned 18, but my parents were poor, and we didn't have a car, anyways (rather unusual in Germany). Later, when I had the money, I didn't see the need, and the cost for having a car in Vienna easily outweigh the use I'd get out of it - I'd only need it for vacations or when I take a trip to the country side.
If I ever moved back into a rural area I'd go for a license and car, I guess.
That's exactly it, now that I can afford it, I don't want it anymore. Owning a car would just be a nuisance.
Quote from: Barrister on December 02, 2012, 01:07:26 AM
If you want to tour that area in 3 weeks, then the itinerary seems reasonable.
But this goes back to why I think a car/tenting is a good idea. Take it from someone who has been there - while the landscape is jaw-droppingly beautiful, there is fuck all to do in most of the towns. You do not want to spend a night in Grande Prairie, Watson Lake, Beaver Creek, Dease Lake, or Tok.
But what you DO want to do is camp somewhere outside all of those locations (well except for Grande Prairie, which as the name implies is in the middle of the bald prairie).
Public transport will pretty much rule out camping, and I agree that is a shame. But the towns being boring isn't such a big deal, I really just need a place to eat and sleep, not looking for lightlife much. And Vancouver is there at the end to make up for it, as well as the inevitable book-buying frenzy to max out luggage allowance on the plane.
Quote from: Jacob on December 02, 2012, 01:16:40 AM
Just do it. Don't listen to the nay-sayers.
I don't know - if BB is advising someone against visiting the Yukon (at least insofar as what Maladict has planned) that says something.
Quote from: Maladict on December 02, 2012, 09:11:31 AM
That's exactly it, now that I can afford it, I don't want it anymore. Owning a car would just be a nuisance.
But knowing how to drive can be a boon.
Quote from: garbon on December 02, 2012, 09:51:30 AM
But knowing how to drive can be a boon.
Certainly. And since I don't drink, I know exactly whose boon it will be. :)
Quote from: garbon on December 02, 2012, 09:50:37 AM
I don't know - if BB is advising someone against visiting the Yukon (at least insofar as what Maladict has planned) that says something.
True enough.
Still I wonder how much experience BB has using the public transportation and no-car-required-tourism infrastructure in the Yukon? I mean, I assume cruise ship passengers don't bring cars with them and there's stuff for them to do and see where ever they come ashore.
Quote from: Jacob on December 02, 2012, 12:28:15 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 02, 2012, 09:50:37 AM
I don't know - if BB is advising someone against visiting the Yukon (at least insofar as what Maladict has planned) that says something.
True enough.
Still I wonder how much experience BB has using the public transportation and no-car-required-tourism infrastructure in the Yukon? I mean, I assume cruise ship passengers don't bring cars with them and there's stuff for them to do and see where ever they come ashore.
:huh:
Quote from: katmai on December 02, 2012, 08:09:10 PM
Quote from: Jacob on December 02, 2012, 12:28:15 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 02, 2012, 09:50:37 AM
I don't know - if BB is advising someone against visiting the Yukon (at least insofar as what Maladict has planned) that says something.
True enough.
Still I wonder how much experience BB has using the public transportation and no-car-required-tourism infrastructure in the Yukon? I mean, I assume cruise ship passengers don't bring cars with them and there's stuff for them to do and see where ever they come ashore.
:huh:
Sometimes Geography is hard, man!
Quote from: Syt on December 02, 2012, 12:07:15 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on December 01, 2012, 04:37:06 PM
I think most Yuro countries require a driving course that costs a trillion yuros before you get a license.
2000 EUR in Austria is what you look at. I don't have a license. For most friends the parents financed the license when they turned 18, but my parents were poor, and we didn't have a car, anyways (rather unusual in Germany). Later, when I had the money, I didn't see the need, and the cost for having a car in Vienna easily outweigh the use I'd get out of it - I'd only need it for vacations or when I take a trip to the country side.
If I ever moved back into a rural area I'd go for a license and car, I guess.
Geez, that's what, about $4200-4300? A NC drivers license is $4/yr. Literally less than 1/1000 as much.
That's for the driver's ed, not the license itself.
What does a private driver's course cost in the US, like 150 clams?
Quote from: dps on December 03, 2012, 12:34:07 AM
Geez, that's what, about $4200-4300? A NC drivers license is $4/yr. Literally less than 1/1000 as much.
Ca. $ 2,600.- But that's just getting the license (driving lessons, tests etc.). The annual fees would be taxes (deending on car), (mandatory) insurance, fuel etc.
According to autokosten.de, the monthly costs for a Golf IV 2.0 (about 10 years old) are € 69 insurance/month - and € 25 tax/month in Germany. That's €1128.- ($ 1460) per year. Plus maintenance/fuel it'll be €311.- on average per month for that car.
A newer Beemer 525i sends insurance up to €120/month, but tax down to €14. A new Merc S350 is €150 in insurance, €17 in taxes.
Depends on what insurance you sign up with, too, though.
Quote from: Jacob on December 02, 2012, 12:28:15 PM
Quote from: garbon on December 02, 2012, 09:50:37 AM
I don't know - if BB is advising someone against visiting the Yukon (at least insofar as what Maladict has planned) that says something.
True enough.
Still I wonder how much experience BB has using the public transportation and no-car-required-tourism infrastructure in the Yukon? I mean, I assume cruise ship passengers don't bring cars with them and there's stuff for them to do and see where ever they come ashore.
There appears to be a misconception here.
I'm not advising Mal against coming to Yukon/Alaska. Goodness me I'd never do that - it's the most beautiful place on earth. :wub:
It's that I was actively recommending he did take an Alaskan cruise / bus tour, rather than rely on Greyhound and the like.
Taking a cruise / bus tours will mean travelling with a slightly older crowd (40s-60s I think), but will be in comfort and guarantee an excellent night's sleep every night.
I still struggle with going to the Yukon and not camping, but if you're going to do it, a tour is the way to go IMHO.
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2012, 01:14:00 AM
Quote from: dps on December 03, 2012, 12:34:07 AM
Geez, that's what, about $4200-4300? A NC drivers license is $4/yr. Literally less than 1/1000 as much.
Ca. $ 2,600.- But that's just getting the license (driving lessons, tests etc.). The annual fees would be taxes (deending on car), (mandatory) insurance, fuel etc.
According to autokosten.de, the monthly costs for a Golf IV 2.0 (about 10 years old) are € 69 insurance/month - and € 25 tax/month in Germany. That's €1128.- ($ 1460) per year. Plus maintenance/fuel it'll be €311.- on average per month for that car.
A newer Beemer 525i sends insurance up to €120/month, but tax down to €14. A new Merc S350 is €150 in insurance, €17 in taxes.
Depends on what insurance you sign up with, too, though.
The thing is, here you can just go to the DMV and take the test. If you pass, you can get your license--you never have to have taken formal lessons. Though if you whether or not you have taken a driver's ed course will affect your insurance rates. And obviously, there are other costs associated with owning a car--fuel, property tax, etc. But you can get a driver's license without actually owning a car, and since in NC a state-issued non-driver's ID costs the same as a driver's license--and you really need to have one or the other--you might as well go ahead and get the driver's license.
Quote from: dps on December 03, 2012, 07:19:56 AM
The thing is, here you can just go to the DMV and take the test. If you pass, you can get your license--you never have to have taken formal lessons.
Yeah, Germany/Austria require you a certain amount of theoretical lessons, plus a minimum of practical lessons (e.g. driving the autobahn or in city traffic), plus more if the driving school can talk you into it or deems it necessary.
I have yet to meet a poor driving school owner.
Do we have any data about how difficult the driving tests are in different countries?
Considering the amount and kinds of people I've met who have a driver's license, I'd say not too hard.
The one thing I find strange is that you take the exam once and that's it. Considering that during the span of time that people have their license (decades) the street laws can change rather significantly, I think a regular exam would be a good idea (every 5/10 years).
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2012, 07:59:01 AM
Considering the amount and kinds of people I've met who have a driver's license, I'd say not too hard.
The one thing I find strange is that you take the exam once and that's it. Considering that during the span of time that people have their license (decades) the street laws can change rather significantly, I think a regular exam would be a good idea (every 5/10 years).
Some states now require re-testing for senior citizens. Though in some of those, it's just limited to testing their eyesight.
That, too, seems like a good idea.
Quote from: Syt on December 03, 2012, 07:59:01 AM
Considering the amount and kinds of people I've met who have a driver's license, I'd say not too hard.
The one thing I find strange is that you take the exam once and that's it. Considering that during the span of time that people have their license (decades) the street laws can change rather significantly, I think a regular exam would be a good idea (every 5/10 years).
They don't change that much. What they check is physical ability, like declining eyesight and reflexes.
We don't have separate driver's licenses for automatic and manual cars--but our licenses work over there. Which I took advantage of to effectively teach myself how to drive manual on a weekend trip between Warsaw and Gdansk a few years ago.
I may have posted this before, but I stalled probably in excess of 100 times. The amusing part was getting out of the Hertz parking lot. I stalled several times before pulling up to the wrong exit lane that required me to put the car in reverse. I didn't know how to put the car in reverse and couldn't figure it out. I was worried about using the call box to ask for help (they might take my car away if they figured out I didn't really know how to drive it), but the guy on the box didn't speak english anyway. Eventually I got a very confused construction worker from a site across the street to come over and put the car in reverse for me.
Now I can drive manual transmission. Driver's ed not required.
:D
Learning thru experience. I like it.
I can drive a stick, in theory, i've learned how to do it. I have no interest in doing so tho.
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2012, 01:23:30 PM
I can drive a stick, in theory, i've learned how to do it. I have no interest in doing so tho.
I'm stuck with an automatic. It takes the fun out of driving. :(
I liked the Evolution shifting gear on the wheel, but I totally dislike my car's "manual" transmission mode. I just leave it on auto and forget about it.
My first car was a manual. I bought it not knowing how to drive it.
If that's not motivation to learn, then nothing is. I could get going right away with only a couple of stalls, and mastered it within a few days.
Quote from: Barrister on December 03, 2012, 01:59:55 PM
My first car was a manual. I bought it not knowing how to drive it.
If that's not motivation to learn, then nothing is. I could get going right away with only a couple of stalls, and mastered it within a few days.
I have a similar story. I learned to drive on an automatic, and did so for ~5 years. I knew the theory behind driving a stick but had never done it. I was between vehicles and I got a great deal on a truck so I bought it even though it was a stick. I taught myself the finer points on that truck.
That was 20 years ago and I still have the truck. After a few years I had to kids in carseats so I traded the truck to my brother for his Volvo 4 door sedan. A few years later he sold the truck to my dad because he was getting a new car and the dealer was not going to give anything on the trade in. Now just a couple of years ago my dad bought a new truck and gave the Toyota back to me. It just ists on the side of the house and goes to the dump once or twice a year.
Quote from: viper37 on December 03, 2012, 01:38:55 PM
Quote from: Grey Fox on December 03, 2012, 01:23:30 PM
I can drive a stick, in theory, i've learned how to do it. I have no interest in doing so tho.
I'm stuck with an automatic. It takes the fun out of driving. :(
I liked the Evolution shifting gear on the wheel, but I totally dislike my car's "manual" transmission mode. I just leave it on auto and forget about it.
From what I've read, cars that have some form of selectable transmission basically shouldn't have bothered--the manual mode is usually not very good.
Quote from: Barrister on December 03, 2012, 01:59:55 PM
My first car was a manual. I bought it not knowing how to drive it.
If that's not motivation to learn, then nothing is. I could get going right away with only a couple of stalls, and mastered it within a few days.
The first time I drove a manual, I couldn't reach the clutch ;)