Coming in kind of late but here is my 2c. If it is for fun go with the stick, if it is for racing go with the auto. If you go with the stick you have the E brake to deal with but if you go with the Auto you have the trans cooler to deal with. If you go with a 4 spd you will want to go with tall gears and tall tires for the mileage. If you go with a 5 or 6 spd you will have the overdrive and you can go with lower gears. Good luck what ever way you go.

Jack.