I need help getting the manual

Hello all. Let me tell you a bit about myself. I am a 16 years old, and get my drivers license at the age of 17. The one car i want more than any other is the Rx8 6speed. However, there is one major concern: my father who is purchasing the car for me is against buying me a manual transmission. He believes that the car is not as safe because you need to focus more on what your doing inside the car than watching the road ahead. He has basically agreed to get me the rx-8 in an automatic, however, i know that car is meant to be driven as a stick. I need your help.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a website that compares driving a manual transmission to an automatic transmission, the advantages and disadvantages of both. Or if you know of a reason that makes manuals better please let me know, but a website of a major car magazine or company would be a greater help. I myself know that manuals are faster, but thats not something i can really tell him because he wouldn't want me to get a faster car. The thing i really need is safety advantages, or any other advantages of driving the Rx-8.

Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Man I can't belive your dad. RX-8 with an automatic :\ ..no dude, just no.The best part about having a manual is that you can accelerate faster,quicker, and its more FUN!!! Just drive saftely :)

Im also 16 and im hoping to get my license shortly next month and I have mah 1986 RX-7 in the garage.Im New into the world of sports cars btw. Ive been doing research on my car the past couple of days. Very interestin stuff.

well eventually driving stick becomes second nature, you don't even notice that you're doing it. it doesnt take long if it's a daily driver, took me probably 2 weeks before i stopped noticing what i was doing.

the big advantage to stick shift is gas mileage! if you know how to drive it right. keep it around 3000 rpm (actually uses less gas there than at idle) and barely tap on the gas. it's a lot easier to control the rpms with a stick, while an automatic usually wnats to keep the engine as close to idle as possible.

also, manual transmisions are a bit more durable than automatics and have less issues.