I like stick for just driving, but if iwas racing, its auto all the way....just not in the mustang....theres no kick i nthe shifting it slides into gear...dont like tht.
One of my favorite quotes is "With an Auto you steer, with a manual, you drive".
Stock for stock the manual, if shifted right, is usually a few tenths quicker than the automatic in the 1/4. This is usually due to the weight difference and gearing ratios of the tranny.
Yes I know with high hp drag cars an Auto is more consistant and such with different stall converters and shift kits, but unless you get into that professionally, stick with the stick.
Practice for a while and you will get better, trust me, it sounds like you just need to get used to the the capabilities...
i didn't read anything but your post and a few others...i agree, sounds to me like you need to get some seat time with a stick. i don't even think twice about what gear i need at any speed when it's time for WOT.
I've had motorcycles all my life, and of course, all of them are 'manuals'. With time, you'll know intuitively what gear you're in, what gear you should be in based on vehicle speed, and what gear you should be in coming out of that corner up ahead. Give it time. It will become second nature and you won't even give it a thought, it will be almost automatic (excuse the pun).