I had and have driven fast versions of both and thats my opinion. I personally cant drive a car that my sister can hop in and drive faster (and yes she could drive an auto faster, she weighs less). I am more for the fact that it takes a skill to go out and bang gears in a stick, whereas it is much less skill to do so in an auto.
Hey you dont like my opinion, thats fine, I tried to put out my disclaimer before hand.
Also to note his goal was to have a fun fast car with a reliable tranny. A Viper T56 is reliable, and retains the fun factor of the stick.