I also tended to drive a bit too fast for our type of traffic and I felt the laid back attitude of an AT might help in some way and I do think it has. Now there is more time to think about the chicks
My buddy purchased his Coupe with a AT for the same reason. Pushing 50 he still cant behave with a MT tranny car at times. And its always at the wrong time. He never gets pulled over or tickets unless theres a MT involved. I give him grief about this all the time.
We did run our cars one day. My MT sedan walked away from his AT Coupe at a alarming rate. His car was well broken in at that point. Mine was brand new.
Heres the cars on a wet day.
http://www.psyshack.com/twoofakind.jpg
Good luck with your car.