[JRinKY]

If you search through this forum and the Solstice forum you will find that there are a variety of noises that emanate from the drivetrain. Some of them are normal, some are not. Some of them indicate problems, some do not.

All mechanical systems make noise. Much of the problem with the Kappas is the fact that you sit much closer to the drivetrain than in other cars, so small noises that you would not hear in other cars are quite apparent in ours.

Mine clunks during some shifts, and sometimes whines at some speeds. Neither sound is particularly loud, and neither indicates a problem.

I cannot conceive of trading a manual for an automatic to eliminate a noise that only occurs during shifting, but that's just my opinion.