I have the auto and I think I can best describe it like this...
For the last 24 years, I have only bought, built and raced manual transmission sports cars and muscle cars. After test driving both the manual and automatic FRSs, I bought the auto. The transmission is THAT GOOD!
I also autocross my FRS in STX class and last weekend I took first.
http://teamtac.org/archive/2013/autox/slalom4_fin.htm
One final note.
if you like doing burnouts, drifting or drag racing is your thing, get the manual. Period. While the auto has slightly taller gearing than the manual cars, the biggest drawback from having the auto is not being able to launch it at 4500RPMs and its acceleration suffers for it.
Scott