Thanks everyone for the reply.

My preference would be manual and I know everyone has their opinions on transmission. My biggest concern was getting something that has the ability to last. If people are having success with the manual at freeway speeds then I think that is what I will go with. The loss of a few cents in gas is worth the trade to get to have a stick shift.

And yes K0e1x0 is correct. I drive a blazer into work everyday which gets about 14l/100km so my savings in gas will probably pay for the car.