Here are few pros that i can think of for both auto and manual...hopefully it helps!
Pros for manual:
1. cheaper to replace clutch than to repair auto transmission (the biggest factor for me was this)
2. for manual lovers, more fun and control of driving
pros for auto:
1. a leg cramp's saviour when stuck in highway or innercity traffic
2. easily use cell phone (even using speakerphone or hands free headset can be cumbersome when receiving or making phone calls in manual transmission car)
3. eating in car while driving
4. long road trips (very helpful when your road trip partner doesn't know how to drive manual)
5. others in family or friends who knows how to only drive auto tranny can drive your car to run errands or in a case of emergency, drive u to the nearest ER
(hopefully this wont happen).
6. Not having to sweat ere time you are sitting on a steep hill awaiting the dreadful red lights to turn to an even more dreadful green.
7. Some days u don't wanna fuss with the gears and just want to drive and relax
8. If u are dead tired the majority of the time u are driving your tC due to busy work, school and other extracurricular activities, an auto will suit your mood.
9. Last but not least, NOT pretending to have three legs to drive when u only have two
hahhahahaha LOL!
With all the pros i have listed for auto tranny, i own and drive a manual tC hahhaha
#1 on the pro list for manual was the deciding factor. I am thinking down the road, in case something happens to the transmission, i wont have a big hole in the pocket. Plus i have been driving manual since i knew how to drive so my decision was somewhat semi hard too but i ended up choosing manual.
Gas mileage for either transmission is comparable for the tC so this wasn't a decision factor at all
Hope this helps! Tell us what u decide when the time comes!