Of all the cars I have owned, only one has been an auto - and that one had the shortest tenure ('98 Accord Coupe V6).
Still, my next car will likely have an auto simply because manual transmissions have all but disappeared from the segment in which I will be shopping - midsize sedans.
Even where the manual is technically offered as an option, it isn't necessarily readily available. I was told by my VW dealer that to get a manual transmission in a Passat CC it's "special order only". I put my money down and commit to purchase, then they order the car. They do not keep any in stock. Not the way I like to do business - particularly with a manual, I want to know exactly how the transmission feels BEFORE buying. Oh, and to further dissuade me from taking that route, I was candidly informed that in the event I wanted to trade it in down the road, they simply wouldn't be interested in the car. Most discouraging.
Similarly, for all the praise heaped on Buick for offering the Regal 2.0T with a manual transmission, I was told the same thing - they won't stock them, so forget about test driving one. With money down, they'll special-order one for me.
Now the Sonata I have found on dealers lots with a stick. Unfortunately, it's the VERY base model only and I have to admit to being spoiled by all the toys on my Altima. And having driven the Sonata 2.0T, there's now way I'd opt for the normally aspirated engine when the turbo brings so much more horsepower to the table with such little penalty in fuel economy. But the turbo is auto only regardless of trim level.
Most discouraging. Just 4 years ago I was able to test drive, then purchase my Altima 3.5 SE - fully loaded - with a stick. I may just end up keeping it a few more years because there really isn't much choice in a replacement.
Or maybe I'll take the Mitlovian path and grab a Civic SI while I still can.
Jaeger