[Cosmo]

This fall my wife will be due for a new car. I have pretty much talked her into buying an 09 Fit Sport due to fuel economy/utility instead of the CR-V she was wanting. She knows how to drive a manual but prefers an automatic. Here are the specifics:

18 miles interstate @ 70 mph each way
3 miles city (2 miles 30-35 mph & 1 mile @ 40 mph) each way
3 stop signs & 2 traffic lights each way with very light traffic if any

Looking at this from a pure fuel economy standpoint (she doesn't care about a performance driving standpoint), would the manual or automatic (I know the fuel economy of the 09 is supposed to be pretty much on par with the 08 models) make the most sense? Yes, I have read for hours through numerous manual and automatic fuel economy threads, but almost all pertain to various hyper-miling techniques that she will most likely (definately) will not incorporate into her driving habits.

Thanks,