I drive a manual r33 and auto was never an option. If it were i could have bought my car a lot earlier when i had less money n=but i knew i wanted a manual so there was no - oh well i could get a skyline now with the money i have if i get an auto. Auto's are dirt cheap especially nowadays, and to see 33's gtst's going for 10g's really upsets me... lol Cos mine was soo much more! at the end of the day though i knew what i was looking for, low km's, very clean straight stock examlple, series 2 manual. Came form a dealer as i found a lot of private examples at the time to be quite f#cked.
That said i drove an auto r33 gtst for a few months (before i bought mine) and i thought it was loads of fun The fact that i was comparing it to my celica i owned at the time prob had something to do with it but i remember i used to absolutely love booting the auto, dropping gears and feeling that boost so smooth through gear changes etc... Felt like a rocket.
Honestly if your contemplating an auto you should prob just go it as they are quite fun (reminds me a bit of a vlt though just planting your foot and steering ) but nonetheless the auto will be fine for street but if you are gonna consider track days - manual 100%