Autostick is not bad at all. As a matter of fact it is very smooth and precise feeling. I realize transmission choise is a matter of taste but to me manual seems so lo-tech for a european touring sports coupe and ive owned many manual cars. Maybe the manual isn't as clunky as they say but I love not having to shift and the way it adapts to your style of driving and yes, it has plenty of tourque to get up to speed. To each their own I guess 8)