[masraum]

Ugh, no Peter Egan or Paul Frere for sure. I struggled to read and eventually threw in the towel even after resorting to scanning.

I think he may have some points if my sleepy brain remember them correctly.

Auto trans cars these days are light years better than most of the auto trans cars from years past. I've driven cars that had appropriately named "slush box" transmissions and they were horrible to drive. I even had a car that had a turbo 350 with a shift kit, and I far preferred the Muncie 4spd to the auto in the same car.

I've also driven some cars that had good torque-converter auto trans and have even driven one PDK trans equipped car (2015-16ish). Most modern auto transmissions are pretty darn good for an auto trans, and most of the time an auto trans is fine in most cars. I think I'd be happy to drive a manual trans in anything, but my wife's outback doesn't need a manual. I love the manual in my Boxster. I think a PDK would be OK, better than a regular auto, but probably not as engaging as my 6spd.

For most folks, a huge majority of them, an auto trans is probably good for the person and the car. Most folks are ham fisted and probably end up eating their clutch, lugging their motor, putting undue stress on their drivetrain, etc.... My wife thinks that she is better with a manual trans, because it forces here to be more "present" in the driving. With an auto, she's more free to start thinking about other stuff. Our son is the same.