I also grew up on a farm, so I was driving the farm vehicles with a clutch years before I was 16. I'm also a bit of a control freak, so I like the added control I have of my vehicle.
Here are the benefits of a stick shift:
(Some have been mentioned. Some haven't.)
1)Full control of the power going to the wheels. This is a BIG advantage when driving in low traction conditions. You may think automatics give you full control as well, but they can suddenly shift and thus change the amount of power going to the wheels.
2)In the rare event you get stuck, it's far easier to rock the vehicle to get out. In fact, I find it near impossible to rock the car with an automatic.
3)When approaching a stop, you never have to worry about the automatic transmission shifting a moment before you take your foot off the gas pedal. (I can't stand when that happens.)
4)As an automatic transmission ages, it can lurch when it shifts. I find that very annoying. I'm not a perfect shifter, but I'm very good. Even if I do happen to cause a lurch when I shift, at least I know it's coming.
5)You have to be more aware of your speed. You're not going to end up accidentally going 55 if you're in 3rd gear. In fact, I've gotten to where I can estimate how fast I'm going just by the sound of my engine and what gear I'm in.
6)If you're feeling especially frugal, and not in a hurry, you can put the car in neutral as you approach a stop. Yes, automatics can do that too, but you have to be very careful you don't overshoot the "N" and land on a gear crunching "R". =-O
7)If you're really bored, you can practice your skills at slip shifting. (I think that's what it's called.)
Uphill starts are no problem for me. However, I did once own a 1990 Plymouth Sundance that was a stick shift AND had a foot pedal for the parking brake. I can't tell you how retarded that design is! If that weren't bad enough, the pedal arm was so weak it bent.
