Not only do you loose some horsepower with the automatic, the SportShift auto in the 97-01 Preludes was problematic. It shared components with the autos in the Accords which were pretty bad, especially for Honda.

I tend to recomend to anyone considering any Honda to get the manual. Even if you don't know how to drive one, learn. You will be rewarded. Not only are Hondas much more fun to drive in stick shift guise, Honda actually makes what I would consider some of the best manual transmissions in the world (for any car below 50 grand that is..... comparing a Honda tranny to a Ferrari gear box is not what I have in mind). The clutches are smooth and easy to engage and they have solid, short throws. Even the econobox Civics and low end Accords have great manual trannies.