I'm thinking about getting a vehicle with a manual transmission (versus the e-shift version of said vehicle). My buddy gave me crash course in driving a stick at the campus parking lot (huge, empty, got up to 3rd gear). I stalled after 10 seconds in the driver's seat, but afterwards I very quickly learned to shift smoothly and make it feel just like my auto.
Anywhos...I'm considering a manual tranny because people say it's fun, I'll get a little better gas mileage, and I've also been told I won't be a "real man" unless I drive a manual transmission
I've identified a lot of drawbacks. The biggest is the stop-and-go traffic conditions here in the Seattle area. I've been told by some it's just not worth it to have a manual in our area, and that I'll be dying to trade back to an auto within a month. 80% of my total commute is spent in very slow or stop-and-go conditions!
What do you current/former manual drivers think? Too much hassle, or no big deal once I get used to it?