Renting a car with a manual transmission?

Are there any places that rent cars with a manual transmission (stick shift) anymore? I'm thinking of buying a manual and want to spend a week or two driving one around before committing to it for the next 5 or 10 years. We're both experienced at driving stick, but only dh has owned one in the past and since this car will be mine, we want to make sure it's a good fit. I tried the standard car rental places in the area, with no luck. I appreciate any ideas of places that might still rent them. Thanks!

 

try the dealership that has the car you want most of them have rentals as well!

 

I rent a car at least 4 days a week 50 weeks a year and I haven't seen a stick in all that time. A couple of reasons come immediately to mind:

1) They have to sell them again when they are to old for their fleet, they are not going to get much for a stick shift; and
2) They realize that most people will use the stick cars to teach non-stick users how to drive stick. As a result they would be constantly replacing clutches.

If you really need one I think you are going to need to find a Rent A Wreck operation.

 

stick is more $ to rebuild than automatic.

 

I've always hear the opposite, that stick is cheaper to maintain/repair/replace.

Seems to me if they want to sell you a car, they might let you drive one around for the weekend....

 

Really? I have spent thousands on automatic transmission replacements, and only hundreds on replacing clutches. I've been driving a stick since 1986 and wouldn't want a sports car any other way! If I'm driving something bigger, like an SUV, I'm ok with driving an automatic.

 

Sometimes I drive my minivan in manual just for fun. I didn't see any improvements in mpg though. It's weird not to have a clutch and just move the "stick" to the left.

 

For me, a manual transmission-equipped car is mostly for pleasure. I'll take an automatic for a commuter any day. I've had two SVT Mustang Cobras and they were a blast to drive. Our vehicles now are both automatics, but how I long to have a shifter in my right hand and a clutch pedal under my left foot, banging off shifts and barking the tires. When (or if) I get the chance, I want a Shelby Mustang GT-500 for a weekend car.

 

If you have to drive in "rush hour" traffic at all, I would not chose a manual. I drove one for 12 years, just replaced it in July. I am so happy I did! Gas mileage is not as good, I do miss that. But my clutch leg is much happier!