I have used a manual for 30 years in every sports car I have owned (probably15 now). I have no objection to an automatic, however I have never felt the control I have in cornering with an automatic. I cannot remember the last clutch I had to put in, but it was back when they used non hydraulic clutches.
The challange of perfection in shifting is part of the effort of driving, it makes me feel like I am achieving something. Perhaps that is wierd but it is the way I feel about driving the car, I want to feel like I have to think etc when I am behind the wheel. I think it also takes my mind off the other things in my daily life that tend to bring stress, makes me relax and enjoy the daily commute.
Automatics probably are faster these days, but I did not buy this car for 0 to 60 or quater mile speeds. Back when I grew up where Ernest lives actuallly, there was an out of the way road (no longer is but that is a different story) called Copeland road. We used to run that road to see how well a car could handle. My Trans Am could do the big curves at 90 to 100, my MR2 did it at 110. I would love to take the Sky there someday, but then again these days I think it is way to busy a road with the stadium/Six Flags and I-30 traffic:jester:
So give me the manual transmission for the curves and fun factor, to me driving should be a challange you have to answer to daily.:thumbs: