[Mike C]

Personally, I think the manual much more utilitarian. More low range gearing with less axle gearing. That means lower RPM on the highway which makes it a better cruiser. Even with the same axle gearing, the converter slip in the auto increases engine speed nearly 10% on the road.

I prefer the bullet proof reliability of the 4 speed as well. At least in my truck, the original clutch made it 252,000 miles. That's when the timing chain broke on the original motor. Clutch was in the rivets but still working!