[jcp123]

Honestly, it doesn't take very long for a manual to become such second nature that I barely notice the act of shifting. I like the economy of manuals, and I'd be lying if I said that the control wasn't an intoxicating factor too. But more than anything, I love the game of shifting, moving three limbs in unison to execute a perfect start or shift every time, selecting the right cog, or the ol rev-match/clutch less shift game. There's so many little ways to play with a standard trans that it really helps to lessen the monotony.

Having said that, automatics are certainly closing the fuel economy gap, and are relatively less expensive than they used to be. I myself used to be split and figured both were more or less equal, but as my interests have gone towards older ways of doing things, I find that I relish ways of doing stuff that's perhaps a bit more intensive on the person doing it. I like the hands-on approach to things.