Then why not with manual crank (no need for a starter) or manual windows....
In my opinion, the days of being able to sell a manual only car have passed for a couple of reasons. First, there is consumer demand. It is a very small percentage of people that prefer MT. It's no different than any other technology. (abacus vs. slide rule vs. calculator for example).
Second, is government regulations. As the number of gears in the transmission rise to help meet increasing MPG requirements, people aren't going to want to churn through 6/7/8 gears in their car.
I would not be surprised to eventually see the MT become the "extra cost" option since it is the low volume choice that will have to be special ordered.
Don't get me wrong, I love manual transmissions, and agree with those above that say "heavy traffic" is not a big deal or a reason to get an AT. If anything, it gives you something to do! I don't want to see them die, but at the end of the day it is about choice in the marketplace.
With the FRS I held off on my decision until I drove both, and still vacillated about it several times in Long Beach before sticking with the AT. The manual mode is close enough to satisfy any urge I have to roll my own.
...I have to say (and not saying this is @
Shark_Bait88) I find it amusing that there are folks that want the car to be manual only, but complain that the FR-S doesn't have push-to-start and dual climate control, or would not have purchased it if it had manual windows and locks. If we want to get back to basics lets go all the way!