Here's the problem with automatics that most carmakers are having a problem fixing: an automatic transmission senses when you are going uphill that you hit the gas and instead of where you would shift down with a 5 speed, it thinks it needs to shift up. With many of the newer automatics, not only does it take into account accelerator position, it also takes into account wheel speed and some even have computers that remember your driving habits and adjusts its shifting tendencies to fit all these factors. This is why with many of the automatics, especially older ones, you can't climb hills as well as with a 5 speed. Believe me, you won't have any problem accelerating up hills with a 00 si.