hmm. atx vs mtx?
well, for the 2g probe, i would never buy an atx, regardless of the circumstances. just not fun to deal with.
my girl has a 1g atx and hers isn't too bad. i like the manual shift button that's on the car. pretty cool shifting with it and she is pretty good at it. it was a PITA getting it repaired when it gave up the ghost though.
my 93pgt has been rock-solid in terms of the motor and tranny since i bought it. never a problem, save the usual maintenance. replaced the stock clutch with an ACT and even though the pedal is much stiffer, i like it a lot.
now, i've owned both an auto and manual '66 mustang. bang for buck, it's easiest to deal with the manual. they're lighter, easier to tear down and replace. if i wanted no-nonsense shifting, i would use the c4 it came with. all i had to do with mine was install a new torque converter and a cooler (along with some valve body tricking), and i was smoking rubber easily, even when manually shifting it. i couldn't get all the torque transfer though. don't know why. i've actually lifted the front end off the ground with my manual pony though. same engine as the auto too. go figure.
oh, unlike some, i actually
HAVE been driving a stick all of my life. first thing i learned how to drive back when i was 12.

that and a motorcycle. :D