Would you say that manual has a faster acceleration from 0-60 mph than the automatic? And how much faster?

 

A lot faster... almost 1 second faster.

 

Yes...the manual feels like an entirely different car than the auto. Get the manual if you want acceleration, and the auto if you place a higher value on the convenience of not shifting.

 

Look for some of the older posts on this board . . . everyone has posted and extolled the virtues of each on several occasions.

If you are concerned about performance - get the stick.

 

If you go Auto, you most do the Valvebody Trick Job to improve the trans perf. The stock one is realy lousy it slips its boring its everything but performance. Don Cooper from Texas makes a hot one.
The Stick car is a lot faster, but if you live in areas of heavy trafic jams go for the Auto, and for future trade inns you'll have a better car.