Can't say I'm that shocked at the no-manual announcement. It will probably be auto-only in the CX-5 as well, once it's offered. I agree that it's a bummer that it's auto-only, but after having owned nothing but stick-shifts for more than 10 years, and finally getting an automatic, it's not the death sentence on fun that I thought it would be. It helps that I have a relatively powerful car, but I can tell you having to deal with Southern California traffic, having a slushbox and satellite radio has helped my sanity. Of course, maybe the occasional romp through the canyons with a stick could do the same.