Both have their merits. I don't own any classic 4 speeds, but I've always owned at least one manual trans car at any given time.
I don't mind automatics in my Pontiacs since they have sufficient torque to motivate quickly no matter what.
The way my Lemans is set up is fun, the th400 can be manually shifted and the higher stall converter allows me to light 'em up any time I feel like it.
That being said, I would like to get a second gen T/A with a 4 (or 5 or 6) speed transmission for some spirited back road driving.
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1966 GTO
1969 Lemans Convertible- F.A.S.T. legal family cruiser. 12.59 on G70-14 Polyglas tires. 1.78 60'
1969 Bonneville Safari- cross country family cruiser. .
1979 Trans Am 400, 4-speed, 4 wheel disc.
View from the drivers seat racing down Atco Raceway-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhYDMdOEC7A
Ride along in the other lane-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIzgpLtF_uw