that example about resale value is interesting. i hadn't thought of that before. but i can't imagine selling my x anytime soon so i don't really care about that. i'm planning on keeping my xterra until my first son runs it to the ground. i'm not even married yet so you can see it'll be along time.
i find manual to be convenient for offroading, as for the street, i think it depends on the person. i got manual and have no regrets whatsoever.