I am knowned to be overly zealous about this... but what ever!
Automatics cost more than manuals,
they break much easier than manuals,
they wear out much faster than manuals,
they was waste gas because they need a torque converter,
they cost more to fix/make than manuals,
they take longer to fix/make than manuals,
they need more parts and reasources than manuals,
they encourage lazyness,
they severely cut down your control of the vechicle
The only advantage they have, is that you dont have to pay as much attention to what you are doing behind the wheel! Which in return, increases the chances of you getting in an accident.
*sigh* ok I am done ranting
In short, to me there is NEVER a valid reason to even CONSIDER using an automatic unless you get the car for free, in which case you should sell it and get a car that is has a manual!