Honestly I think it really just comes down to these simple questions. What’s the traffic like in your area and is this your daily driver? I can drive either manual or auto just fine and while I hated earlier autos and thought I’d never be and auto guy the autos really have come a long long way. If it weren’t for Bay Area traffic, 25+ years with a cable driven manual with sport clutch and tendenidous in my left knee I may have went manual. As it is I’m not missing manual one bit and actually on the track it’s easier in an auto and kind of a nice little reassurance that it’s impossible to money shift.

As for the A/T power handling I think the biggest thing you’ll need is a stronger flex plate (FI makes one). 550 may be pushing it for stock internals too though but I’d ask the experts (Seb, FI, and the auto trans guys that were just mentioned that I now completely blanked on and can’t go back and look).

If you have never driven manual before than you can't handle 550whp. 1st time that rear end kicks out you won't have the experience to know how to real it back in. Start with learning how to drive first, then do bolt ons, and if you're still not satisfied then boost it.

I agree 100% with this. I've driven MT's since I was 17. I've had mostly awd cars, some fwd, and 2 rwd (a 240 and a Z) cars. The first time that rear end came around, I was like "damn that was easy". My Z is stock for now. I can only imagine 550whp.

For me, AT's are boring to drive. I don't feel like you have complete control over the car. I had an S3 (sold it for the Z), ran 11.896 @ 116.74 1.750 and I swear the car wasn't fun to me.

Anyway, learn it first - to the point where you're just driving without thought. That's when you know you have it down. After that, mod batsh** crazy. Rock out bro!