I've never owned an automatic, so take this with a grain of salt I suppose.
I ordered the car with MT and while I was waiting for it, the dealership had an AT come in, so we took it for a test drive. The paddle shifters are pretty cool and responsive, but when my MT came in and I took it for a spin around the block, I knew I'd made the right choice. Like many have said, it gives you a connection to the car.
If you want a manual, get a manual! You can always argue that:
- it has a cheaper base price
- it's easier and cheaper to maintain
- you can use downshifting/engine braking to slow down in conditions where normal braking could be hazardous
- a surprising number of people don't know how to drive manuals, so it could prevent your car getting stolen (...okay, so that's kind of joke, but it has been argued!)
I only have about 5k on mine, but I've had no issues (and it was built in April 2013). Changing the oil and filter is a breeze too!
Whatever you decide, welcome to our dysfunctional family!
