I'll agree with that!! My celica is an Auto... looks gorgeous, sounds gorgeous...still pulls like a bullet at 120mph+, and is quicker around the track than the manual equivalent.
There is nothing wrong with Automatics at all! Kickdown is great aswell.
I'm glad you've got the insurance sorted out Paddy.
Nothing wrong with auto's at all, my dad has alway's had an automatic and his latest buy was two auto RAV4's bout 2 years ago. Great car's and they go well, i guess personally, i just enjoy the gear changing!!!!