What?? I so would have thought he'd be stick shifting from way back.

they are more fuel efficient and as i'm sure you've noticed, fuel is crazy expensive in europe. us americans have nothing to complain about.

Aren't manual cars more fuel efficient than automatics? Gas prices are much higher in Europe than over here.

Oh, PN beat me to it. Great minds, I'm telling you, great minds...

fo sho marco =D

He taught himself to drive stick shift from written instructions? That's great! (it took me weeks to learn)

Manual is more fuel-efficient if you keep the RPMs within the lower range, and it's more fun than an automatic if you rev it up. Manual gives more general control. That's the only thing that bothers me about hybrids - they're all automatic.

Enjoy Italy! I was there such a long time ago, I have no good recommendations to make, but it was beautiful

Yes, they're cheaper to make (less engineering needed), use less gas, put less wear on the brakes, and give more control of the car (once you're good at it). On other hand, they require using an extra arm and leg.

I like a standard transmission because I feel like I have more control over the vehicle -- automatic transmissions are way to mushy for my taste (though maybe not quite so bad as they used to be...)

My first car was my mums old one, and, for various reasons (including the easier test), she drove an automatic. I don't mind driving manually, but I do prefer automatic myself, except that you can "bump-start" an automatic when the battery fails. A good driver will do better on challenging roads (ie euro country roads) with an automatic. For long straight(ish) driving IMO you are just as good with either.
I don't think it's fuel economy, it's more what we started with. Stick not so hard to master IMO as the clutch. Older cars (v old) you had to double de-clutch. I broke one trying to do that once.

sorry, better on country roads with a manual, I meant to say. Shifts in gradients and bends. It's a joy to drive fairly aimlessly on this type of road, as I recently did to go to the Hay-on-Wye book festival.

My first two cars had automatic transmissions. When shopping for my third, I wanted to get a manual after a couple of friends showed me how much control you have over the engine. I've never looked back.

I like to drive and have fun, not just get from point A to point B (sort of like how coitus is much more than just the orgasm). Once you know your car, you can shift by sound and feel, without having to glance at the RPMs. By controlling the RPMs, you can maximize the power at any given speed, allowing you to push your car to the limit.

The way I drive, it doesn't really save me much on fuel, if any. :D