Having an automatic means unfortunate people with only one or no legs at all can drive a car. For the fortunate amongst us with 2 legs a manual is the only gearbox to have.

You'll certainly get a number of views from here!

I passed my test in 1970, and until 2007 owned and drove exclusively manual cars, except for a brief flirtation with a three.speed auto Saab 99 for 6 months in 1981, which put me off autos completely! The reason that it put me off was firstly, it was not powerful enough, and secondly, the fuel consumption from the 2-litre twin-carb auto was untenable at the time. Torque converter autos sap an amount of power, resulting in poorer fuel consumption and on paper, worse acceleration. In practice, on the road performance is often similiar, unless you can perform racing-style instant changes which most drivers can't. Technology has decreased this gap, but I never thought I'd prefer an auto to a manual later in my driving career.

Roll forward to 2007, when I bought my Saab Aero estate auto - rather a bit more power, 5-speed, and lockup above certain speeds, which effectively means the same fuel consumption as the manual once it has lucked up. Would I go back to a manual now? Preferably not. I hired an Insignia estate diesel last autumn and drove a couple of hundred miles across country. The novelty of changing gear wore off after the first thirty minutes stuck in slow moving traffoc on the M27. Autos are more relaxing!

IMHO, for a torque converter auto you need a car with a decent whack of power and torque.

New technology has produced auto gearboxes such as the VW DSG, with two clutches and proper gears - an automated manual, rather than a true automatic. Pros of these are similar fuel consumption and performance to the manual version, but added complexity. Some also report driveabilty issues such as hesitaton when accelerating after slowing down. There are other auto variations (e.g. CVT), but others on the forum will be more informed about these.

I'm not sure what angle you are coming from with your question, but it all really comes down to personal preference. Not sure if I've really answered your question, but hope my thoughts help!

Automatic is only good for places where there is heavy traffic (not much use in UK unless in metropolitan area), is more smooth and more convinent in many ways. If it is maintain properly it shall last! but you have random issues with the gearbox with newer technology. I would say the only bad point is at time you cant control and it can become very dangerous! I used to have a 53 plate automatic supermini there was a time i caught in heavy snow, there was a time i have almost lost control and crash while going down hill too quick the L gear is simply useless. After that i never wanted an automatic again, i perfer manual because everything is on your hand control and is less troublesome to maintain!

There is little point in listing the pros and cons, it's the weight you give each that counts.