With an engine like the Crossfire has, the choice for performance is the manual. If you want convenience, go with the auto. The general rule of thumb is that the less torquey the engine, the better it responds to a manual. The 3.2L MB engine we have is no torque slouch, but it isn't a stump puller either. Mine is a manual, and I have driven the auto: What drove me nuts in the auto was how the engine always feels a bit bogged down by the damn auto shifting in the next gear too early, then having to give it more throttle to either get it to downshift, or to keep it in the gear that it currently is in longer. The manual will never have that problem, and for me, that is vitally important. It was such a relief to get back to the manual after driving the auto. Most auto's have an uncanny ability to be in the wrong gear just at the wrong time when it counts the most. UGH!

In spirited driving, you will fight the auto but love the manual.
In regular driving, you will love the auto but fight the manual.

It is all about what is important to you.

With the 6-speed, you get more out of the car, but it also gets more out of you!

Here is another opinion for ya: Automatics in any car are B-O-R-I-N-G. (The new SLK350's 7-speed auto might be the only exception; anybody drive one yet?)

Do you want to be bored?

With the 6-speed, I can personally guarantee you, you will never be able to completely relax planning the next gear shift. Because it has 6-speeds, you are constantly shifting. People like me LOVE that part of the manual experience. It is that exact experience, though, that also turns a lot of people off. They just want to relax and cruise with an auto. That really is the bottom line. The manual can wear you out at times.

Are you into constantly spirited and motivated driving? Get the manual.
Are you into just relaxing and cruising? Get the auto.