Want opinions automatic vs. manual transmission

[Vanderkitten]

I didn't read all of the posts, but a manual transmission is more capable of performance oriented driving than a manual, in any car, especially an econobox. The HP to the wheels is greater with a manual, the car is faster and also tends to be lighter.

In a city, an Auto is preferable, but I want performance first, so I went with the manual. But this car is not a performance car out of the box, and if you are not going to try and make it so, the AUTO gives you the ability to chat or one-handed text and drive all day long.

I would imagine resale will be better on the Auto as well.

[Edd]

Originally Posted by Vanderkitten

the AUTO gives you the ability to chat or one-handed text and drive all day long.

Anyone who buys automatic for this reason is completely self indulgent and should NOT be on the road. It's dangerous and illegal, actually worse than being at 0.08 BAC.
The problem is, whether you are looking at the phone or otherwise, your concentration on the road and your surroundings is broken and you put other people at risk. This applies to handsfree as well (but it's not AS bad and is actually legal).