I, too, find that I wouldn't have an automatic transmission, most
especially in a vehicle that ventures off the Interstates and city
streets.  Just yesterday I self-started my 84 5sp by pushing it by the door
post and hopping in to pop the clutch.  A minor delay as opposed to a major
production getting AAA to come (nearest AAA is over 50 miles away) I also
like being able to modulate the way it gets going by how I release the
clutch, and to choose a proper gear, to anticipate a driving situation I
can see, but some automatic shifter would mess up....like an un-asked for
shift when cornering on slick roads, or trying to rock out of a semi-stuck
situation.
So far I don't find shifting my own gears is too much work, the better
functionality certainly is worthwhile, in my world....if I commuted in LA
daily, then I might consider an automatic...