Funny I assumed the same thing. The car with the premature rotor failure was a stick. My automatic's rotors were like new when I changed pads. All my other cars were automatics except for the 2 seaters. Remember I was NOT the orginial owner in either case so I can't tell you any history. I belivev it has to do with the type of traffic, application of brakes and speed. When I lived in New York city brakes seemed to go fast with daily stop and go. But that was many years ago and before modern pads and rotors. Might also have something to do with driver's mentality and the 6 speed.