This car is made to be enjoyed and joy only comes from manuals. It's all about real driving. If I was in your position though, I would have probably opted in for the auto as well. I just posted a thread with the official mpg, it gets 3 more in the city and 4 more in the highway. It will help you a lot.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=157344
In terms of fun, the manual, I suspect, will have extremely sporty gear ratios which won't let that smile get off your face.