I guess it would be easy in Fredericton but how do you do 100% city? Where I am, manual is fine since by the time you get into 3rd gear from the stoplight, you are out of town.
The visibility in the Prius is not wonderful but you can get used to it. Any aerodynamic car now is pretty compromised in that regard. Frankly, I would sacrifice all of the cameras and warning systems for good sightlines. I take off the passengers headrest and put down the rear seats and that helps a lot.
Speaking of warning systems, I've "understeered" through a few corners recently (no traffic around) and the anti-skid warning beeper on the Prius comes on about 3/4 of a second late. If you don't know you are in a slide by the time the beeper goes off, you shouldn't be driving.
The warning is so late, they may as well have put a voice alert in the things saying "You Have Just Hit Another Car". Vital information that drivers over 90 need to know.
Cheers,
John M.