But the cost of the occasional ticket is soo worth the adrenaline rush from passing cars on 2-laners, heel-toeing at every opportunity, and generally driving like an asshole Just be smart about it and don't die or lose your license.

 

This has been covered ad nauseum in earlier threads. Search, and ye shall find.
Everyone here has bought the one they like better, and everyone wants you to buy whatever they bought. Some are waaay overzealous.
But the general consensus (among the people with a bit of sense) is this: Buy the one that suits YOU. Your needs and likes, your driving style, et cetera.
For me it's an automatic, but I have had many, many manual transmission cars, and loved most of them. And manual is of course much more fun.
Only your money and happiness is involved here, not that of anyone else, so buy the one that makes you happy. It is not one bit more complicated than that. They're both the same great car.
Good luck.