Yep it is hilarious, I think some members post the Auto vs manual or is it Manual vs auto topic just to get a rise out of other members. Personally I think it's bad-ass that you can get a Coyote w/a 10-spd auto that hauls the mail.
I drive a stick, who cares, get what pleases you and work on...
I was talking to my shop this morn about this very topic. He recommends that I go Gen 3 block w/Boss crank. Re-use the Gen 2 heads and cams. The shop has built a twin-turbo S197 w/a Gen 3 that's making 1k h/p at the fly-wheel w/stock heads.
I'd rec Car Max, my moms and I sold my Dad's 2009 SRT Challenger (low mileage) for 25k. They were salivating because of the low mileage and overall condition of the car. As mentioned always sell privately vice a trade-in.
I had a 1969 Karmann Ghia that I drove to HS in the late 70s, thing was slow as Christmas, it had the same stick shift set-up that you mentioned w/o a clutch.
I can only speak for me and my Moms and her brother, after they received their 2nd shot they experienced dizziness and pain for a day or so. Me on the other hand after receiving the 2nd shot, I didn't experience any of the soreness in my arm, or the dizziness and other side-effects associated...