Manuals anytime. I have to entirely agree with Trumpy.
You have much better control of the vehicle especially in hilly counties like New Zealand.
On long descents you always smell the overheated brakes from people with automatics who leave the shifter in drive all the time instead of changing down to 2nd.
Our fire trucks are automatic unfortunately, but give me a 12 speed Dodge anytime, much more joy out of double clutching a manual gearbox.
Cellphones, no excuse. Use a car kit. [Linked Image]

The product of rotation, excitation and flux produces electricty.