I don't buy race cars. I don't drive around race tracks. I buy street cars. I drive them on the street. In my 31 years of driving, I've had many stick shift cars and many automatic cars. Every. Singe. Time. The stick shift has been more fun and engaging to drive. My DD is a 5 speed manual Focus with barely 165 hp and it's entertaining to drive if I want it to be.
My wife's van has paddle shifters. I used them once. Once. It's not the same. Not even close.
My wife's van has paddle shifters. I used them once. Once. It's not the same. Not even close.