I prefer manual for some situations (I learned on and owned one for around 12 years), but I have a hard time suggesting it to anyone. Most of the auto drivers that struggle on mountain driver don't understand that there's a gear mode for low gear that solves some (not all) of the issues of driving on sloped roads.

My friend replaced his last manual with another and he's not super happy about it. Just isn't a great driving experience when you live in a high traffic urban center. We both agree if we lived somewhere more suburban or rural that the manual would be preferrable