The automatic causes less driveline shock to the transmission on launch and drastically reduces broken gears. I've seen several people with 5 speeds blow up 1st gear, and some of them were bone stock. Easy Street Motorsports has the fastest WRX in the US and they switched to an auto to get into the 9's without breaking parts every run. While it isn't as fun with and auto, it's fun more often since you're not in the shop with broken gears.