Coming from a country where manual transmissions are still quite "normal" I'd have to agree with the reliability/acceleration/economy/safety arguments...
But only
IN THEORY!
I see SO many folks driving manuals so badly that none of those theoretically attainable benefits would apply... they "ride" the clutch a LOT (reliability? Not!) they miss gear changes.. (really screws up acceleration... specially when they try for 2nd and get 4th..
), they use max throttle at all times (especially before letting out the clutch..) which doesn't help the fuel economy i imagine... and they spend time
staring at the gearshift as they wander across the road...... so much for safety.
manual gearshifts are like guitars.. easiest thing in the world to use BADLY!
My current vehicle (and my all time favourite so far) is a full size station wagon.. (A Holden Commodore if that means anything to anyone!!
) It is an auto, and has a 3.8 litre V6. On the highway (and using the cruise control which many people diss too) the fuel consumption gets as good as 8.5L/100km...
That's over 32 miles to the (Imperial) gallon...
YMMV of course... (literally!!!)