I've been hearing for over a decade that automatics outperform manual shifters, even for trained professionals. When automatic transmissions started showing up in race cars, that was the nail in the coffin on manual transmissions, for me.

There's still the enjoyment factor. That was beaten out of me when I had a job that had an over 1 hour commute, each direction, on a freeway, and every day there was stop & go traffic jams on at least one segment. I stated to really value that free hand and the ability to drink coffee during that commute.

About halfway through my employment at that job, I sold the last manual transmission car I've ever owned, and replaced to with a car with an automatic trans. I can't say I've ever missed it. The car I have now has one of those fake-manual shifter modes, in case I ever want to pretend and waste gas in the process.