Which do you prefer and why?

I have owned both (not an Element owner...yet) and I must say, for me, that I'm torn. I like driving manual because of the control and I feel like I'm really driving the automobile. But, right now I'm driving an automatic and I really like being more relaxed and just kinda coasting along out of red lights, etc.

I will say that stick shift is FAR better in the snow because of the control you get.

Just my two cents...