It's funny to me to read this post cause I was at a time on your side of this discussion about if I wanted a manual or auto. The one thing that I was truly scared of was driving in stop and go traffic since I work in a area which basically guarantees me traffic every trip home " Pasadena "
I was always tossing both ideas in my head the whole time leading up to my purchase and could never really figured out what I wanted till I basically said to myself " I never owned a manual car so how would I know if I like it or not unless I buy one ? "
I must say it was the best decision I made!
Before driving this car I only driven manual once in a friends RX8. Once I got home I went to the nearest empty parking lot and learned the engagement points cause I knew I would be in traffic the following day. I've owned my car for about 3 weeks and been in bumper to bumper traffic about 4 days out of each week and never have once yet regretted my decision. If anything I am actually more aware and less board when driving home since you have to constantly interact with your car to keep it moving and such.
GO with the manual transmission you will not regret and just drive around and get a feel for the car after you buy it
