Well my two cents worth, yes, automatic is nice in most cases, unless it is the dual clutch automatic wanna be on the Fiesta, and a few other famous issues and the verdict is still out on CVT though that tech has been around forever, and newer ones actually fake shifting so you hear and feel like something is happening for feedback.
Automatic: Heavier, usually more complicated, not as energy efficient on power usage/drag, usually.
More moving parts typically, complicated, harder to repair in most cases, most later ones are computer controlled, so more issues down the road, especially during the Zombie Apocalypse.
When working and dialed in, more consistent in a drag race all out acceleration, instant shifts compared to most manuals regardless.
Manual, considerably less complicated to a degree, less moving parts.
You can at least push start the car when the battery is dead during the Zombie apocalypse, you can decelerate better and more responsively using downshifting during the Zombie apocalypse, especially when brake pads are no longer available.
Fluids are not a critical when you need to make banana oil for transmission lubrication, most automatics won't like banana or coconut oil. Just having fun on this thread. Nothing beats a 55 Dodge Power Wagon manual without computer controls to drive over zombies consistently, so hum.
Manuals give more driver feel and response to the experience, and from racing heritage, most still feel that way, but things change, what will be the rage on Electric Cars of the future and no transmissions at all?