Yep. And when I do have to drive an auto, I find that its often in the wrong gear for the powerband of the particular engine. With an auto, you have to gun it to downshift or manually do it. Neither is smooth, and most auto trans (newest types excepted) have fewer gears and therefore larger spreads between gears. They just aren't as flexible as MT in the myriad of driving situations we encounter in suburban-urban traffic.
For driving in heavy traffic, I find the MT much easier and more economical. I can ride along in second gear for instance at a steady 10mph, whereas with an AT I'd be constantly breaking because it would try to upshift to its highest gear at the lowest speed. Also, I coast alot when I see that I'll need to stop ahead rather than staying on the gas and getting on the brakes hard at the last minute like so many drivers tend to do. What's the point? If you know you're going to stop, why accelerate toward the stop?
I wonder if always pushing against the brakes makes for worse fuel ecomony (ie idling at a light in drive) vs a manual where you can sit in neutral or with a foot on the clutch. I do the former to save wear on the throwout bearing.
As fuel continues to increase in price more people will be attracted to MT for their ruggedness, simplicity, and better fuel economy potential IMO.
My 2¢
