I can't drive automatics with any confidence and have never owned one. I love the control a manual gives and even the physical effort needed which translates directly into mechanical action (although I have had a clutch plate shatter while racing...). The only problem I ever had was when I got my first left hand drive car having grown up on right hookers - was trying to change gear with the window winder at first! The last auto I drove was a BMW 535i that set itself on fire on the M25 motorway while I was stuck in a traffic jam - the brakes started binding and the gearbox began leaking transmission fluid onto the exhaust pipes. Total write off, the fire engine couldn't reach me due to the further jam the fire caused! I'm still friends with the car's owner. I must add that it's great that autos are there for anyone who prefers them especially those like some on this thread who have physically aren't comfortable or able to drive a manual, and I know autos are a lot better nowadays...