40mi RT in LA traffic can get old with a MT. But that's me.
If you were in Santa Maria commuting to Vandenberg AFB or Santa Barbara, it would be a different story.
I know purist like the MT, but when it comes to bumper to bumper traffic... well, that commitment is put to the test
I'd get a cheap automatic. If not, a Focus ST (still stick shift, but lot of fun tq to drive), as a DD.