To be fair automatic transmissions have come a LONG LONG ways in the past 20 years. I remember when manual trannies did get better mpg by a mile or 3 but with the development in how tough auto trannies have gotten I support the lack of the manual option with one caveat. You need to either be able to paddle shift or sport shift through each gear.

As an example of how tough automatics are now they are making an impact in the truck shipping industry. For a transmission to handle 80k+ loads and get competitive gas mileage is quite a feat.

Don't get me wrong I love my manual but if I scored a d4d I would aim for the auto vs the manual.