Give me a clutchless sequential 6 speed anyday =) Automatic is for those that don't want driving to become a labour which manual can sometimes become. Its not about being lazy... Hell some "manual" drivers are lazy eg. Clutch in or slap it into neutral to roll to a stop. Thats lazy compared to your average automatic driver. Old Automatics are slow, their programming and technology aren't aggressive enough but these days the newer and well thought out automatics murder manual cars. Those that say automatic are slow haven't driving an aggressively programmed automatic. Semi Auto depends on what type, if you're referring to Tiptronic then its based on the Automatic gearbox so when you go into the self shifting mode, its ponderously slow. If you're referring to those like the Sequential, DSG, etc then those are based on a Manual gearbox which are faster. End of the day, if you want to relax and cruise then why need to go manual for? Pointless... Automatic drivers that pretend to be manual drivers are lolworthy, going from 1 - 2 - 3 then D or whatever they do, doesn't impress people... Manual drivers, when you bog down or stall, you look equally idiotic lol Btw I've only owned manual ;)