Sam,

I used to go to San Francisco a lot when I lived in Napa. I've always had a stick (I absolutely *hate* automatics) and I never had a problem with the hills. But, I guess you're right ... it's all what you're used to.

~~Bonnie


>>My old Dodge Colt (I loved that car - Mitsubishi engine) was totalled by an idiot coming out of a shopping plaza. I was given a Toyota Corolla to drive 'til the claim got settled. It was an automatic. I drove it for almost 2 weeks and never got used to it. If I took my foot off the brake, the car started to move forward. It's not supposed to do that. I mean, who's the driver here. Me or the car? The car is supposed to do what I tell it to do, not make its own decisions and do whatever it wants.
>
>What about when you let go of the break on a "manual" car, it could start rolling down a hill. Ever go to San Fransisco and stop at a stop light/sign and try to start up again without backing into the car behind you? It takes some getting used to. ;-)