EPA rates the automatic higher on the MPG chart, but in real world driving, the 6 speeds usually post higher highway mileage from what I've read here on the forum.
In magazine roadtests, the manual out performs the automantic by nearly a 1/2 a second in the 1/4 mile. (But it's going to take somebody who really knows their way around manual shift to do it).
I will say this, I had the very pleasant opportunity to drive Sandman50's automatic on the Dragon last Sunday and it sure is a lot easier to drive at the limit than a manual is.
Now if it only had "paddles".
As xfchris pointed out, the manual can be notchy at times, (mostly when it's cold) but it's something most 6 speed drivers get use to.
I've had over 25 sports cars over the years, and around 15 or so Hondas with manual trannies, and I can say without a doubt, the Crossfire is the worst manual transmission I've had. That being said....I still love it. Go figure.