If you're OK with the relative lack of power & refinement, the FRS makes a wonderful daily driver. I love driving mine every day
That being said, you'll want the manual if you're young. I did. Got the auto, and within a few weeks was already regretting my decision. Now I happily own a M/T Asphalt.
I don't think I'd pass up half of the car being paid off though :P The manual isn't
that good that I'd rather pay 12.5k more for it. If you want it, definitely try to convince your mom!
EDIT: Either way its a wonderful car. Don't let all the kids tell you the Auto sucks and you should go to hell for even thinking about it, etc. The auto is wonderful. Best automatic I've ever driven in a cheap car other than Volkswagen's DSG (which is dual clutch so obviously better!). I never felt like the auto shifted too slow, or I didn't have control over the gears. Great in stop & go and LA traffic. What I didn't like about it, was the LOOOOONG gearing (past 3rd at least) - 4th felt like 5th in my Manual, meaning the car felt a *lot* more slugglish on the Highway.
In backroads driving, they both felt relatively similar in speed (manual obviously having more involvement, but the auto is *very* good like I said). If I didn't want to track & mod my car I probably would've stuck with the Auto
