My vote is for the manual. Thats the one i own.
The only problem i have is dealing with the hills
in San francisco. As there is no hand break on
the left wheel version it can be kinda nasty when you
get stuck behind someone on a steep hill.

Never thought of starting out in second. I this a practice
that can be detrimental to the car??

steve '84 280sl 5 speed. 182k