I'm also shopping and trying to decide. Drove sticks for 25 years, then my last car was an auto (Mitsubishi Eclipse convertible). I spent 5 years explaining why I finally got my red sportscar convertible - and had an auto in it.

About a week ago, I found a dealership with multiple crossfires on the lot - and was able to drive auto and stick back-to-back. Auto really takes off - it certainly doesn't make the car any less responsive. But having the stick feels more like I'm driving that fine machine, rather than going out for a ride - however exhilarating that ride may be.

I'm in Central Illinois, so I won't be driving anything like Chicago rush-hour traffic very often. Doing that on any kind of regular basis with a stick would take all the fun out of it.

I also tinkered with the auto-stick feature, to see whether being able to select my own up and downshifts on the auto made up for lack of a stick. Didn't do a thing for me.

So, it still comes down to the kind of driving you'll do. I'd have to agree with RowdyRoadster: if you've got lots of traffic and hills, the auto may make the difference between enjoying the drive, and working too hard.

But for me, its gonna be a stick this time.