Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
Nowadays as long as you keep your ATF topped off and change it once in a blue moon, you're very unlikely to have problems. Where, when's the last time you bought a used stick shift that DIDN'T have a burned out second-gear syncro?
We've never even replaced a clutch (or required any other maintenance) on any of our manuals...this includes several cars with well over 200k miles (we've had 4 in about 20 years). I think a properly used MT (ie not riding the clutch) and properly maintained AT are probably pretty comparable. I just personally don't see the point in AT when it typically costs more and potential issues are also pricier to repair. Plus they just work better under the driving conditions I encounter. If I had to do lots of stop-and-go city driving I'd probably feel differently.