Brad, welcome to the forum and to 'B' country.
I will second the move for the automatic transmission for the prevoiusly mentioned reasons and on the basis that if an automatic is good enough for formula one then it will probably meet our needs too.
Maybe you can use the availability situation to your bargaining advantage. Take an '08 with auto now - albeit at a reduced price ( say..$ 1000 for the auto ); or, wait for an '09 manual. I'll bet your dealer will be willing to renegotiate the deal. ( A 'B' in the hand.. so to speak.)