Greetings:

The choice usually solved by personal preference; here are some observations
if you are unfamiliar with automatics.  The Volvo choices are no different
than auto v. manual in any other car.  In fact, the Volvo geartronic isn't
much different than any other auto trans; they can all be manually shifted
from 'drive' to lower gears.  Auto leaves one hand free for a coffee (or
tea).  I have a '03 XC70 with auto.  Sometimes I shift to the 'manual' mode
while driving downhill, to allow engine braking while following traffic.  I
prefer manual transmission cars, but the price was right on this particular
car.  Auto is definitely more convenient in city traffic, since there is no
clutch to continuously press when stopped or frequently changing gears, but
the brakes are used more often.  So as far as maintenance costs, perhaps one
or two more brake jobs would offset the eventual cost of replacing a clutch
assembly.  If you aren't experienced with automatics, why not rent a car for
a few days?  It could be virtually any mid-size vehicle of any make / model.
Drive the car in the typical traffic conditions that you will encounter
daily with your proposed new Volvo.  The Volvo automatic, in my experience,
doesn't feel or operate substantially differently from other manufacturers.
Ya pushes the gas and it goes.  Ya pushes the brakes and it stops.  ":,)

Regards, Jim Brown

Lane, it seems that you live in the NL. Right?

So, from my experience (BMW 530d Touring with AT and steptronic =geartronic)
and a S60D5 manual) I can say:
- do what you like most. No one can help you.

I personally can say, that the AT at least adds one litre per 100km in
consumption. The simple speed-up is not worse in AT than in manual. The
manual switches gears much more often than you would do in the AT.

here in germany "bigger" cars more and more are ordered with AT. But
calculated hard, they are not worth the money. Changing gears is not that
difficult.... Exept one single point: driving a lot in heavy traffic and
beeing in need to drink cofee while driving (in my personal opinion and no
offense to anybody) drinking coffee while driving is one of the worst
"un"-cultural things a society can do...
And: if you tow a caravan/boat or trailer.

Please do several test-drivings and decide on your own. Here in germany a
BMW 530d without AT is hard to resell, now.

J?rgen