I've outgrown my need to control the transmission of my vehicles. So no, I don't do manual transmissions anymore. My American buddies will tell you how much manuals SUCK in our traffic.
What can we say? We have wide open spaces and we like big stuff! I have owned "roller skate" vehicles as well as big ones. I like them all (especially convertibles). But the older I get, the more I value being comfortable and enjoying the driving experience when I can. Basically, commuting sucks. And we don't have public transportation like you do in Europe.
Girl, you can look around and just appreciate the differences between our cultures without fearing them! And I'll tell you straight up that I feel a whole lot safer in my SUV (either of them) than I would in a Mini Cooper or VW bug... not that they aren't darned cute and fuel efficient and fun.
Just looking mean enough behind the wheel ain't enough here. You have to have the goods to deliver the message. Maybe I should have bought a Hummer, complete with the guns....
Just kidding!!!
Betsey
"There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
And I'll tell you straight up that I feel a whole lot safer in my SUV (either of them) than I would in a Mini Cooper or VW bug... not that they aren't darned cute and fuel efficient and fun.
Betsey 
