Manchester is my home town (although I live in the US now). I have family and business there. I think it's a great city.

However, even when going home I often fly to LHR because of MAN. It is in general cheaper, and I enjoy the drive up (usually it's a Sunday).

But what I really dislike about MAN is the monetisation of everything, priority check in, parking and even private pick up / drop off. It's a depressing airport these days. Heathrow's off airport car rentals are a bit of a pain, but Manchester's I've found I have often had to wait (in the cold and wet!) a long time for a shuttle. At least at LHR I drop off my Hertz car at the T4 Hilton and spend a relaxing night there before heading home.