A lot of disadvantages to an automatic: more expensive to buy, more
expensive to tax, more expensive on fuel. The 500 auto is a Dualogic automated manual, not a true automatic, and might take a bit of getting used to. An alternative is a Hyundai i10 1.2 Comfort automatic that has a proper torque converter 4-speed automatic box. But better to go manual. I've got a 500 1.2 Lounge. I love it, though I'm the first to admit it's no sports car. The suspension is very bouncy and the steering is too light. It does, however, do over 50mpg, the tax is £35 and its quite high geared for a 1.2 so cruises well at 70.