I learned to drive in 78, got my first vehicle in 79 and my first automatic in .... 2003. Not a big fan of slush boxes.

Unfortunately any more there are large categories of vehicles where a MT is simply not an option. Much as I'd love to have a 5 or 6 speed manual on my Suburban, they haven't made them with that option for over 20 years (and to be honest, the 'Burb is mostly a tow vehicle so the slushbox is probably more appropriate for that anyway.)

I do have a DD Nissan Pathfinder with a 5 speed, and it's fun. Driving a manual makes me feel like I'm "engaged" with the car, where driving an auto is really just...steering.

Wife has an old 95 YJ Wrangler with a 5 speed and - get this - MANUAL steering! She loves it. She wants to give it to our granddaughter when she turns 16. She says it's the perfect teenager car: Manual steering and manual transmission means you can't text and drive, the thing is so loud you can't even talk on the phone while you drive, and it's got a little 4 cyl engine so the max speed is about 55.