Depends on the application:
From a performance standpoint, you've got the track and you've got the strip. Manual tranny's definitely have the advantage on a road or curcuit course. On the dragstrip Automatics have the advantage because they are more consistant and can shift quicker.
From an everyday standpoint, you've got when you feel like having fun booting around and when you feel like shit from a long day's work and don't feel like clutching, shifting, not to mention juggling a cellpone, smoke, or drink along with that.
Also depends on the car:
A little four-banger is going to need a good Manual driver to be able to juice that tiny amount of torque for all its worth.
A V8 with over 300 ft/lb of torque is not going to care if you floor it and the Automatic transmission keeps it in gear, drop a gear, or drops two gears - its still going to RIP!
Based on everyone I know who drives a Manual, they wish it was an automatic more times that they're glad they got a stick.
AUTOMATIC it is! (bottom line: NOOOOOBODY can outshift a computer) :smoker: