Drove manuals exclusively for 35 years, until changing fortunes meant buying a cheaper car in 1999. Wanted an AWD for winter, and quite liked the Impreza auto I test drove. Then I drove the 5 speed manual. What a cantankerous, obstinate, jerk-inducing gearbox plus clutch combination that cluster**** was. Bought the auto.
Drove various manual Subies owned by friends over the next 9 years. All were complete rubbish. Hop in a Civic, and no problem whatsoever. So I got the automatic in my LGT - I find it quite clever, with the combination of short-term manual operation with paddles, and long term floor lever operation. Very convenient and rev-matching downshifts too.
So I try out the new WRX, with that same old Subie gearbox retrieved from a 1930s farm tractor, now with a 6th speed somehow shoe-horned in the case, and also with a brand new feature: Rev Hang. Just lovely. Zero advancement. Accord Sport, Mazda6 and 3, VW, all have decent shifters, but this eludes Subaru unless you concentrate so hard it's no fun anymore. The CVT? I just shake my head after sampling that.
But, but, salvation is at hand! Drove a base STI (no darn silly wing sitting like a tub of lard on the trunk telegraphing to all and sundry what an utter dork you are). Different gearbox made by Aisin. No rev hang. Lovely. No trouble smooth-shifting.
I'm waiting to see whether Subaru adopts the new improvements they made for the 2015 Impreza to the 2016 STI, like half-decent infotainment and sound insulation. Not holding my breath as Subaru is slower than an an Olympic snail at getting around to things. But when they do, I think I'll get back to exercising my left leg again.