I was set on getting an auto, but I'm glad I got the manual. Until I get stuck in traffic of course... but I do miss the economy (and speeeeed) of my 180bhp Golf. Oh, it was 180 for a while, and my god it was worth it, but then the head gasket started to leak and then....... ah, well, on it's last trip I got 75mpg coming back from Oxford. Best ever..
Somethings are surprising though. I had a 3.2 V8 Jag that did 32mpg and a 328 BMW cabrio which returned 34mpg on a 90mph burn down to Spain and back. A lot is down to the driver I reckon. I don't hang about but I'm quite light footed with it. My 1.8 Mk1 MX5 was lucky to hit 30mpg, but I ragged it EVERYWHERE! So endeth the lesson.