i dunno... an auto with flappy paddles can still feel quite involving
not quite a manual I know, but as someone who lives near a major city, i spend WAY too much time just sitting in traffic, even on the outskirts. To the point where I actually end up with a sore foot from constantly changing in and out of 1st and 2nd gear. Its just irritating.
In modern UK, an auto makes more sense 95% of the time. for the 5% when I want to have fun, flappy paddles work well enough for me.
I wanted my current car to be auto, but the manual just happened to be a better spec and better proposition. But i guarantee my next car will be an auto, as i'm sick of the manual already, and have 3 more years of it!