[Blackmane]

Going back in time to what Xantar said:

Yes, stick shift drivers are better. People that think just pushing a gas or brake pedal and turning a wheel makes them a driver are silly people indeed. Just try that in NASCAR. Not only are manual people more aware of conditions in their own car their driving at the time (manual or auto), they know sounds and feelings better than auto-only drivers.

The real difference, however, is that they have to divert a lot of their learning from learning to drive in itself to also learn about shifting. In this way, they are forced to become more adept at simply driving to become skilled with the manual transmission. Also, when you are driving with manual, you have to pay attention to what you are doing. I'm afraid that most people that drive automatics get highly complacent while driving sometimes and it is very scary. Manual transmission drivers have to have much more of their attention on driving more often.