Up until about 5-6 years ago I flat out WOULD NOT BUY a vehicle with an automatic. Waste of power and mpg, plus one less aspect of the vehicle's operation being under my complete control.

However, once I started four-wheeling my Jeep (with an automatic) I quickly learned to like it. I wouldn't even consider choosing a manual tranny for an offroad vehicle now. After getting used to driving the auto in traffic, I have come to prefer automatics over manual transmissions in everything but pickups and sports cars.

Guess I'm gettin' old too...

__________________
1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown