[popopine]

I learned on a stick so M comes very naturally. I'd rather drive the car than have the car drive me. it;s more fun -- And i don't have the paddles. Besides that, i down shift to slow the car--especially on a decline. I also use it in stop and go traffic when i need to change lanes quickly (try that in D: first you'll hesitate... you'll see the car in the next lane bare down on you in your mirror. You'll mash the pedal. When the computer finally figures out what you want, it'll upshift 3 gears and launch you into space... not fun).

Up hills, around curves, cruising country roads between 3 and 5 RPMs is a blast--and its what these engines were made for. If you practice M religiously, you will know when to shift and what gear you're in just by the rev of the engine. That's when you'll never look back.