I, personally, would take the automatic transmission any day!!  It is much
peppier and easier to operate.  We have one of each on our Vanagons.  If
they were running neck and neck, the auto transmission would win!!  I was
dubious myself before buying the automatic, but after owning and operating
one, I would never go back to stick shift on the van.  For those who don't
do their own repairs, it's not cheap to repair/replace, but it usually has
to be faced in either vehicle sooner or later.   It also gives about the
same performance in mountains.