personally, I can't believe you between and auto and a manual tranny simply
because of it's sound system. I'd go with the manual all day (I LOVE
manuals, more power, and better mileage, plus MUCH more fun to drive)
anyway,  I can say from experiance (just bought an 06 accord) I got a 4 cyl.
not a 6 cyl, but did get a 5 speed manual, the "120 watt" sound sytem is
pretty decent for a factory system. I'm not sure there is much of a
difference between teh 2, can you varify? (have you listened to both teh 120
watt and 160 watt system? does one have mroe speakers than the other) one
thing on the 120 watt system (the only available for a 4 cyl accord) is the
bass is pretty much non existant. I added a 12" subwoofer in the trunk to
fix that problem, the system is rpetty damn good for now, I MIGHT add a
component set and amp the front later on, but it's good for now. like I
said, I think an auto and a manual are night and day differance in a car, I
can't imagine chosing one or the other simply because of the audio system.
I'd get in both with the same CD and see if you can hear a differance. my 2
cents
-Nick

"What would you do in similar circumstances? Get the AT version and rip out
the factory unit and start over (I don't really want to do that). OR -
assuming you like to drive a stick anyway - would you hold out for the
better stereo even though you might have to settle for a color you don't
like?"

In this particular case, get the transmission you want...period.  This
should be your major decision.  Color would be runner up.  Auto vs. manual?
Hmmm.  All depends on the driver and the car.  In this case, Honda has
consistently been noticed for having some of the smoothest manual shifters
in the industry (like in the V6 coupe).  So this is a decision YOU the
driver has to make.  If you like shifting, get a manual.  If you simply like
pushing down on the gas and steering the car, get an auto. (I think you'll
notice only a very small difference in gas mileage between the two)

As far as the stereo goes, I can't see that a much of a difference between a
Honda 120-watt 6 speaker system vs. a Honda160-watt 6 speaker "premium"
system.  But you'll have to hear them to know for sure.  Honestly, I'd just
concentrate on getting the car you want and leaving the stereo out of the
equation altogether.  Now, if the stereo differences varied greatly, let's
say a 120-watt 6 speaker system vs. a 360-watt 12-speaker system, then maybe
it'd be more of deciding factor.  But then again, who knows without
listening?

Bottom line?  If you have to ask, then you probably won't miss anything by
choosing the AT with the 120-watt non-premium stereo.

Tony

hey, thanks all for your comments. I agree the trans is the key question
here but thought maybe I was missing something. All in all a stupid
question.

just fyi - I decided to go with the MT. I do like the add'l flexibility with
a stick and want to get the most out of that engine. . . .

thanks again,
DT