It's got to be a nightmare to drive these large American cars in Europe. The streets really aren't the most accommodating for them. I rented a Mercedes V-class minivan for my family and friends to drive to a wedding in the UK and that was such a pain in London. I've never driven such a large vehicle in London before and I probably never will again. Should've just taken the train out to some far off spot before renting the car.

We also had a wedding to go to in France where we drove a Citroen C4. To be honest, if these weddings weren't so far from railway stations and we didn't have to transport so many people together I'd never have done it. And both these cars were tiny compared to the GMC Sierras or Cadillac Escalades you see on San Francisco streets.

I can only conclude that anyone who drives an American-size vehicle in these places is a masochist. It cannot be fun. No, not even to ride in while someone else drives.

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jeroenhd 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

The way these imported cars are parked and driven don't really seem to indicate any masochism. The drivers mostly seem to make their oversized car everyone else's problem, not taking lanes too seriously, double parking by default, and of course blocking both the road and the sidewalk with the overhang of their trucks.

	▲	Tade0 an hour ago \| parent [-]
		There are a few such imported cars in my neighborhood and seeing them makes me grateful that I have an underground parking spot. They're not the only ones to double park, but the only ones to exclusively double park.

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lifestyleguru an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

This is not masochism. This is rectified pure egoism and dominance. Usurping the public space and pushing others aside, making one's ego everyone's problem.

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reddalo 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Some municipalities are also working to enforce a limit on the size of cars that can get into the city. Good luck diriving those American cars in Europe.

But still, I wish they would ban them.

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iso1631 an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Chances are you landed at Heathrow or Gatwick, and thus would rent a car and be on a motorway straight away, no need to go to London.

Why were you even driving in London?

	▲	arjie an hour ago \| parent [-]
		They did not have this kind of vehicle available there. I had to use Hertz "Dream Collection" and go to a location where an appropriate vehicle was available.

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Ylpertnodi 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> I can only conclude that anyone who drives an American-size vehicle in these places is a masochist. It cannot be fun.

US soldiers/DOD etc PCS'd to EU manage (not always well).

And, us EUians get the advantage of seeing just how disgracefully oversized US cars and trucks are.

Aside: No yellow indicators? I'd rather US red ones than the 1"x3" mini-yellow-indicators that are becoming more common.