Im actually around ur age.. haha im 18 and i pay for my car too, and manual was out of the question too haha my parents thought i was gonna go fast and furious status or something like that, so i had to settle for a auto. But one thing i can tell you is auto is just as fun, jusst less engaging with out the clutch, get manual if you actually planning tracking or that sort of stuff, its good for everyday too but regardless, i can assure u the auto is just as fun on the paddles