I don't need a manual to be connected. My cx5 is about as connected as I am when flying a cessna. I hear and feel everything coming through the road as I do through flight controls. The manumatic is more than adequate for hard launches, engine braking, staying a specific power band, downshifting to corner and wot shifting. It shifts faster too, particularly at wot with the tune. A clutch is just another expensive maintenence item. I actually prefer being able to 1st gear wot through a sharp corner ( ie from a stop)and being able to quickly slap the shifter into "d" to get second before I exit the corner ( hit fuel cut off or too high rpm and understeer) and get my hand back on the wheel.