I will always go for manual as I had found it very important while controlling the car/bike and for sudden pickups.
I had come accross a situation when brakes of my car (omni) fails. Still I was able to drive the car to the next service station (120 KM) on highway only with the help of gear control. And no body in the car even comes to know abt it. many times I had overtaken other car by shifting down the gear(sudden pickup). Its very safe and only possible in manual.
Another thing, one can even control the car at high speed using gears very well.( where applying brakes can cause off balance)
Manual is the best atleast if u r acustomed to it. However in city shifting the gears is bit tidious and may be automatic is worth.
One thing I want to make clear. My automatic gear exp. is limited upto honda activa and kinetic honda.
I had never used auti transmission car
Mandar