[jcp123]

I find the traffic thing to be overblown. Granted we don't have much traffic here where I live, but I don't envision it being a big deal for me. I like your use of the term zen-like, redpoint, for me it is the actual act of working all the parts of a manual transmission that I truly enjoy. Sadly, few share this sentiment. Now that I think about it, I think I got some of this from my Dad, who is far from an MT partisan but who impressed upon me how much he enjoys an MT and how much he realizes he misses one when he gets in the pilot's seat so equipped.

I do believe that even if you choose auto over manual that it should be required that you learn to drive manual. Not only is it good to have that skill set, it gives a bit of an appreciation for driving as well.

Next car for me will have a REQUIREMENT for MT. Luckily many of the cars on my list will be reasonably easy to sniff out with a row-it-yourself gearbox.