Having been the owner of a Elan M100 and Triumph Spitfire - manual seemed like the only possiblility. However, my purchase choice was limited to stock - only tiptronic /SSP or BLK.

Visited local MB dealership to test drive SLK 320 with tiptronic - drove MB C200 with same transmission. C200 Kompressor not available in US. The car was amazing, driving the triptronic was in a word, fun. Never thought it so but it is. Now I like the feeling of the manual and I always will but in Korea traffic is nasty and the auto will allow me to relax a bit.

My perfect solution: the Crossfire tiptronic for everyday and an Elise for the backroads and great weather days.

Waiting in Korea.