[graydonengineering]

I think it is a great idea. I would pick it since rental cars are generally low power and a stick would be more fun, and I could get great MPG! Every rental I have ever had has been a real dog. Low powered cars should always be manual IMO. I test drove a new yaris in AT since my wife doesn't like driving stick, it was slooow going to the point that I didn't feel all that safe driving it. I put the pedal down at a stop to see what it could do and nothing happend for the first second or so due to the auto and verly low torque of the engine.

From my experience, most Americans currently over 35 know how to drive a stick. Manny of the younger people do not. I would ask the customer if they felt comfortable driving a stick and even if they say yes but seem hesitant, I would try to put them in something else.