The main reason I bought the manual transmission was for reliability.  

Although Honda first tried to ignore the bad design of the automatic
transmission and then reluctantly did a recall to try to modify the
lubrication method for second gear, many people have had automatic
transmission failure at only 60,000 miles or less.  The replacement of
the automatic transmission is about $4100.00 at the dealer's service
department.  Although Honda has agreed to pay some of the cost for some
people, Honda's warranty is one of the shortest, 3 year, 36,000 miles.

Based on that record of bad design and bad customer care for those who
bought the automatic transmission, I would buy another brand of car if I
wanted an automatic transmission.

I bought a 2003 Honda Accord EX-LN 4 cylinder with manual transmission.  
I find that at 50 MPH, 2000 RPM in 5th gear, I get the best gas mileage.  
On a trip from Canton, TX, home of the BIG Flea Market, to Austin, TX, I
averaged more than 50 MPG.  On a short trip on IH 35 from San Antonio to
Austin, it averaged more than 50 MPG.  To get that economy, I use no air
conditioning, no cruise control and use the built-in navigation system
computer to show me the instantaneous gas mileage number.  I find that
seeing the gas mileage number in real-time helps me drive for highest
economy with little effort.  Unless the highway is totally flat, the
cruise control does not drive as economically as I can.  I routinely get
more than 45 MPG on the highway.

Using the air conditioning, using the cruise control and driving faster
that 50 MPH drops the economy to 36-38 MPG.  I always use the lowest
priced grade of gasoline.

In town economy depends on the time of day.  Non-peak time driving can
yield as much as 32 MPG.  That is a achieved by coasting when possible.
Typically in Austin, during peak traffic times, the number is only 26-28
MPG.

Those are U.S. gallons.  The measurements quoted were calculated the
"proven old fashion way" using the increment of miles from the odometer
between fill-ups, divided by the number of U.S. gallons added to the
tank as shown on the gas pump.

The average MPG calculated by the Honda navigation system computer is
very accurate when compared to the "proven old fashion way."  The number
of miles between fill-ups shown on the computer is always a few less
than the number of miles shown on the odometer.  The "proven old fashion
way" gives a little bit higher MPG number than shown as the average by
Honda's navigation system computer.

The importance of the instantaneous MPG number is that it guides and
teaches the driver to drive in a manner that will yield the highest
average MPG.  I haven't found any other use for that instantaneous MPG
number.  My wife used to get much less average MPG when she drove the
Honda than me.  Now by reacting to the instantaneous MPG number shown on
the computer, she can get about as high an average as I.

This Honda was bought new and has been driven over 76,000 miles.  
Replacement of the air conditioner compressor clutch has been the only
needed repair.  I change the oil every four months with Castrol 5W20,
clean the leather, wash and wax the paint and that is all.

I don't drive for maximum economy all of the time.  I can drive the
Honda as a street racer and get the average MPG down to 22 MPG.  I can
win most stop light drag races in it.  It will squeal the tires in first
and second gears and it cruises comfortably at 105 MPH.

  ---
  James Howard