Grit Dog, as I mentioned the weak point of manual transmissions is the clutch. Manual transmissions may be dirt simple an nearly "bullet proof" but the clutch is not.
Burn out a clutch and the repair is the exact cost of replacing a worn torque converter (200,000 or even more miles) since you must split the engine and transmission in both cases. I highly doubt to many folks ever see 200,000 or more miles on the original clutch..
Modern automatics (we will define that as say late 90s and newer) have drastically reduced losses to the point that it could be said that is a tie between automatics and manual for transferring input to output.
Besides, with a manual, you do not have a Tow/Haul feature with automatic hill descent downshifting strategy..
Grit Dog, if you have never used the Tow/Haul mode, you ARE missing out on a great feature. Works smoothly and seamlessly in holding back your vehicle when descending long steep grades.
Our first truck with Tow/Haul was our 2006 F250, I didn't know what to expect but the first hill/grade we came to I was sold it beats the pants off our 4 speed 2003 that I had to manually downshift going down hills, it was well worth the price of admission to have the truck downshift with absolutely no intervention from me. Each newer vehicle (2013 6 speed and 2019 6 speed) I have bought has even far better control and smoothness in Tow/Haul mode.
Looking forward to see how our latest purchase does (2020 F250 with 6 speed), Ford has added several new modes to play with.. I personally didn't want the 10 speed transmission, I don't like to be "Beta testers" for new products..
