Re: which is better
My deciding factor to choose manual shifting vehicles is determined by the cost of replacing an automatic trans. vs replacing a clutch. I have never had to replace a clutch in any vehicle that I have owned. Two have been driven to over 150k miles.
I hope to keep my Crossfire for many years. I can only imagine what it would cost to replace the auto. transmission out of my pocket. Thats why I had no problem getting the 6-speed. Of course, I have a base model, so I had no choice.
I try to keep my cars well past the expiration date of the warranties. I have seen so many people having problems with auto. transmissions in every make of car. The repair costs seem to average $3500. To top it off, the problems always seems to happen just past the warranty coverage. Most recently, a buddy of mine just spent $3800 to replace a trans. on his 2005 Blazer with 38000 miles. Warranty ended at 36k miles ( his was bought before the GM 100k mile warranty ). GM did chip in $1200.
Now that new XFs come with the lifetime Powertrain warranty, my fears of an auto. would be reduced. Although, I would always be concerned about Chrysler's future.
What may be the best reason of all for buying manuals is that my wife never wants to drive the Crossfire. 
Also, it is found that some amateur thieves try to steal manual cars only to find that they cannot drive them.
Last edited by imabenz; Dec 13, 2007 at 07:40 AM.