> > Actually, with an automatic (and with a manual if you're really good), left foot braking is preferred, but ONLY if you're very coordinated and are a very good driver.>
>
> Also, with manual, when you have to start on mountain roads... a maneuver that I like a lot to do is to have the left foot holding both brake and clutch, right foot on the gas, first gear in; when I need to start on a steep slope, I release the left foot until the clutch gets in, push slightly on the gas and then release gently the clutch. The car won't go backwards of even a centimetre.
>

it's more foolproof to heel-toe brake - -the ball of the right foot holds the brake while the right side of the foot covers the gas. The left foot is clutch only. This is a better technique to learn because some cars have clutches that have a huge travel and end up way below the brake pedal, at which point you'd have to have a really wide foot to pull it off. My car is one of those cars ;)




> > (you could also buy a Ferarri F355 and get those SWEET steering wheel mounted paddle shifters ;)
>
> Heretic! Ferrari (as well as Lamborghini and Maserati) cars *must* have manual transmission!

they ARE manual transmissions! They're just faster than standard rowboat style manuals, and both hands can remain on the wheel to control the car while you're downshifting at 120mph in a curve ;)

> By the way, I have two friends... one is an engineer that works for Ferrari and designs parts of the engines; the other is a columnist for a car/bikes review magazine. At least once every two years we arrange a 'test drive'...
>
> Anyway, the Alfa Romeo 156 has the same paddle shifters and costs a lot less than a Ferrari.
>
> > As far as auto/manual laws in the US, you don't even have to know how to DRIVE, much less shift.
>
> Here in Italy there's the opposite problem: everybody knows how to drive, but don't know how to understand road signs...

hehe. so I've heard. Just had a guy from my car club go to italy. He refused to drive there ;) Something about if you use your turn signals they know you're a tourist and harass you ;)


lucky man, getting to drive a ferarri. . . I've driven some sweet cars, but nothing in that class :(


>
> AP.