I drive an auto WRX. The amount of "abuse" I put the trans through, its not even as much slipped or given me any trouble. It's the most solid auto trans I've ever driven. Hell, I did donuts in a parking lot for 15 minutes and started smelling trans fluid. As far as I know wrx auto > wrx man. Sure, its has its boring moments but I tend to shift it manually through 1 to 3. I'd love to pick up one of these, though:
http://www.levelten.com/transmission...a-610-5000.htm
I eat a lot of crap for driving an auto WRX, but the truth is, until I have to shell out money for a new trans, I'm sticking by what I say.