ok this is my 1st real post since joining this board. my 1st car was a '76 merc capri II 4 spd. loved it and at 18 years old it was the only tranny i'd get. my 2nd car was a '86 toy mr-2 with a 5 spd. still loved it. now, being a little older, i test drove a roadster 6 spd. i have to admit it was my 1st drive in this great sports car but i had a real problem 'feeling' which gear i was in - especially 3rd gear. on my 4 mile test drive with the salesman right next to me, i wasn't comfortable. i ended up with a ltd. roadster with auto. love it. the car has all the power i need when i need it and i really haven't even felt the need to use the manual shifter (auto stick). maybe it's old man syndrome. also, this is the 1st car i've seen with better mpg with a auto tranny than with a manual.