one tradeoff for a manual is that i am wary of having anyone else drive it, e.g. for valet parking, or even with some non-MB auto shops (e.g. for emissions testing). The reason is that few know about how to get the thing into reverse gear, and the last time i had the car emissions-tested, i placed a sticker on the dash indicating how to get to reverse (!). But that's just me.

I agree with Larry Bible that the manual is ok for city driving when there is NO traffic (stop-and-go). Then i can enjoy the manual for engine-braking, and especially heel-and-toe downshifting on some corners. It also offers more control in the winter.

otherwise, when there is stop-and-go traffic, it is more of a burden.

when driving on 2-lane country roads, a manual is invaluable because you have more control when overtaking. 3rd gear is ideal for the job, because it can take you all the way to 160kph (100mph).

ideally, i would have a manual car for enthusiast's driving, and an automatic for a more relaxed pace in the city.

has anyone heard of one news item where an auto thief left the car after breaking in into it because it had a stick shift and he did not know how to drive one?