I would go with an Automatic, because I don't do a lot of high-speed driving, where I could run through the gears at will. Anyway, the 5-speed Auto is quicker, and I could enjoy the drive more in residential and urban traffic with an autobox. That decision is a
The performance between the auto and stick are pretty close.
Fastest 1/4 mile I've seen with a stock 5-spd manual was 13.35 (where someone actually posted a time-slip). Don't know what it is for the 5-spd stock auto, but the mags were getting between 13.5 and 13.6 - I haven't been keeping up. If you don't plan any radical engine mods, the automatic is a fine choice.