It sure was the way to go, in our case. Since the "sporty" SX trim is only available with an automatic, for some reason, we stepped one down to the EX model with the UVO touch-screen system. As mentioned in the article, skipping the automatic saves $1,300, which after 15% HST in Nova Scotia is almost $1,500 that you get to keep in your pocket.
Per my comment in the other thread, the manual has returned decent fuel economy, and having to shift lends a needed fun factor to the car. It handles competently enough, but the lack of steering feel is what I really notice on a twisty road. Working the shifter and clutch helps keep it interesting.
Unlike the reviewer, I don't think the gears are particularly well-spaced. The lower ones seem too far apart and the upper ones too close together. There's no "ECO" mode for the transmission, of course, but there is an upshift indicator in the speedo that has you in sixth before 70 km/h, if you follow its advice. The clutch is indeed light - almost too light - with a take-up point that took some practice to get a feel for. And I've been driving manual for 20 years.
To be fair, I'm probably a little picky, considering my previous manual vehicle was a Mini Cooper S (sadly, the lease ended and we wanted something we could buy with cash this time, hence the Rio.) No regrets in passing on the automatic, however. We saved some dough and got a car that's more engaging to drive.
