I took my drivers test with a manual and prefer a manual over an automatic almost every time with the exception of my X5 I don't mind being an automatic.

My first BMW was a 540 with a 6-Speed and all of my Porsche's over the years have been manual transmissions.

Shifting a manual transmission is a big part of driving a car for the full experience. Especially if that car has some balls. If the car is a slug a stick is faster than an automatic of the same model.