Yup, cannot agree more on the manual is fun to drive with, but very frustrating in traffic jams loh.. one more thing is with an autobox u cannot just be faster than manual if u need to quick reversing the car or making the car drift at the corner...
One more is the auto gb durability is still at question, do it can take wear and tear up to say 20 years? and the cost of repairing one will be costly compared to manual. i still remember the problem with the H.city which been quoted rm15k to repair the failed gearbox.
anyway the new vios will coming with a manual tranny thou (J-specs.) i think the price will less than E-specs.