Just personal preference I guess. The manual tranny is a little bit of extra work but I concider it both mental and physical exercise and we all could use a little bit of both. Some folks just like that extra bit of connection between them and the car. What can I say it's just genetic!! There's just something about rowing through the gears, hearing the engine and feeling the gearbox work through the shifter and clutch peddle. Either you have it or you don't.