No matter how fast the car can be with an automatic, you'll never feel like your actually driving the car without a proper manual gearbox. There's something so cool about that shifting motion and controlling the car. Your whole body is one with it. Sure, the paddle shifters/tiptronic is extremely fast, but it's not as exciting. It's like a video game. My friend has a Z06. I'd never buy that car, not my cup of tea, more of an AMG/Ferrari kinda guy. But when he gets in and turns it on, he drives that car. That car relys on him to do everything. When I get in my Mercedes-Benz, I steer my car. I'd love a manual AMG for my own personal fun.