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A lot of people have been overcharging on previously loved FR-S, but, the 2014's aren't out yet, so, who knows.
Choosing between the FR-S and BRZ, price is a big factor, had Toyota brought the GT86 over to North America, it would have been a lot harder choice.
Choosing between an AT and a MT - had the AT sucked, then I would force myself to learn stick, but, based on your situation, it sounds similar enough to my own in that the AT provides a little more flexibility of shifting or not shifting. My wife doesn't know how to drive stick either and it is handy when I have had a few too many beverages to drive, she can drive instead. The AT also has a snow mode that will start you in 2nd gear and intervene more quickly on the traction control and stability control.
As to winter, it is my daily driver. A set of 4 snow tires is a must. This thing comes with summer tires (although some people are receiving so called "all season" Bridgestone Turanza EL-400's). The soft compound on summer tires will turn into hockey pucks on ice (not a good combination). I actually like the fact that the chassis is so communicative, I believe that I am a better driver in the winter. The only thing that I have run into with respect to winter is having a large dump of it. The FR-S only has 4.9" of ground clearance, so, if you get half a foot of snow, call in sick to work or drive another car. I have bottomed it out (thankfully I had a small shovel in the trunk). One last thing to consider with respect to snow is the amount of salt usage on the roads in your area. Some parts of the FR-S will corrode - expect it, deal with it, or make it a garage queen.
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