I only have a problem with personal experience being presented as fact because it is always influenced by bias. As human beings, we are all subject to bias of perception and that is why peer-review is so important as is refining the experiment within a specific context.
As you mentioned, we both agree that the manual 86's can launch much harder than autos. We both agree that the manual is shorter geared than the auto which translates into better acceleration. The net result is quicker acceleration and subsequently, quicker E.T.'s for drag racing. We also agree that if a person were to buy an auto 86 with the hopes of drag racing it (or any 86 in stock form), they will likely be very disappointed.
Now on to my bigger point, which we both agree on incidentally, on a race track or autocross course. Yes, we both agree that the manual will accelerate a little harder out of corners because of 1) its shorter gearing 2) lighter weight 3) less drivetrain power loss. Now all things being equal (such as drivers) the manual will be faster around any track. Here is where I think the disconnect between us is.
Even though I have been racing both cars and bikes for 24 years (as a hobby) I am not Ken Block, Senna, Fitipaldi, Andretti or do I have any illusions about my talent/skill level behind the wheel. Now, I can handle a stick. The FRS is the first automatic I have ever owned or taken around a race track. I'm confident that I could likely drive a manual FRS faster around a race track or autocross track than I could my auto. However, given my skill level, the difference won't be by that much. I say that because the auto in the FRS is just that GOOD!
I don't like it when the auto in the FRS is lumped in with autos such as in my wife's tC or Camry. It really isn't even close. The auto in the FRS is even leaps and bounds better than the one in the RX8. Driving it reminds me of the auto E46 M3 which is a fantastic car.
So to the whole meat and potatoes of my point and my position is that if the auto isn't that much slower around a track than me driving a manual, then, since 90% of my seat time will not be on a track, the auto is a good, logical choice for me. That said, I promise you that I can, (and have) smoke most everyday drivers around a course in my auto 86 even when they are in a faster car such as an S2000. My earlier bringing up of the S2000 was to point out how "silly" it would be to make a blanket statement based on my own experience than my car is faster. Nothing more.
In all, we do agree. But I admit that I do get annoyed when people just simply make a statement such as an auto being "slow". Taking such a rudimentary position only invites arguments and renders constructive debate impossible.
No hard feelings?
Scott