[waynne]

We should also discuss the newer paddle shift arrangements as seen in everything from Ferrari to VAG models. Personally I like the "stick" but having never really used an automatic long term I am biased.

I think I feel more in control with a stick, but auto boxes have come so far and almost have an intuition about what you are wanting it seems silly to blindly hang on to a gearstick is better philosophy. The paddles are very quick and are more of a clutchless gearchange so I can see these as a good compromise or middle ground.