When your left knee started to give u hell then u know whats best for you.
A clutch or knee can be replaced, you have the option to choose.

Stop n go traffic can be a real pain for clutch. Thats why they're making these DSG, or manual box with auto clutch.
Even F1 or Indy have sequential box, with no clutch, that way driver can have un-divided attention to drive.

In the snow, all u need to do is lock it in 2nd or low gear so it wont up shift all of a sudden.

By and large Auto trans last much longer than a clutched gear box, notwithstanding undueabuses. And clutch is not cheap anymore.

Dont think SD has manual in N American market.
With the power should be fun to have manual though.