Ya' know, I used to say the exact same thing. Up till now, I've never owned an automatic in my entire life. And every time I'd go to buy a new car, I'd start out by saying to myself that this time, I'm finally going to get an automatic. But when you buy cars like a Mustang GT, a 280ZX, a Mazda RX7 GTR, and an Integra GS-R, you know deep inside that these cars just had to have a stick.

BUT...

When I first started researching the XF, I found many of the expert reviewers expressed disappointment in the XF's stick, and actually preferred the AutoStick. I was quite surprised by this. But it swayed my thinking just enough.

So now, at the ripe old age of 52, I can finally use my right arm while driving again. And no more left leg pain after being stuck in long traffic jams.

After 35 years of manually shifting, it's taken some getting used to. I still find myself looking for the clutch pedal every now and then.

Bottom line: I have no regrets about getting the automatic transmission. None. It suits me to a tee.