Lots of people like manuals, and I have a few myself. They are great for burning off a carto that's a little too moist, and you don't have to worry about getting juice in it like you would an auto.
Having said that, I have a distinct preference for autos. It's not that pushing a button is hard to get the hang of or anything... I just like the "puff-puff-puff" feel of an auto. I spent years learning how to puff on a cigarette to get just the sort of hit I wanted, and auto batteries provide the same thing. With manuals, you only have two options - on or off.
I love puffing up huge clouds of vapor, puffing like a cigar occasionally without inhaling... Manuals don't give that same resistance. Some think the primer puff is a hassle... to me it is the best part of the experience.
YMMV, but don't dismiss autos just because most people on the forum say so. They have their advantages.