I agree that it basically comes down to preference. Find someone who will let you drive their built AOD, and someone who will let you drive their built 5spd. Find out for yourself.
As for me, I have an AOD. BUT, it's a fully built Art Carr AOD with FMS wide ratio kit, hardened 1 piece input shaft, shift kit, modified valve body, non lockup 10" 2500 Art Carr stall....put it like this, I absolutely roast the tires off in first, lay damn good rubber in second, and bark the hell out of them into third. It wasn't cheap, but in my opinion it was well well well worth it. Great for stop and go traffic (even though it has killed my gas mileage, but i don't mind..hehe) And trust me, when you get on it, it will throw you dang near through the seat.
But, like everyone says, in the end it is all up to you.