I've been a die hard manual fan all my life, but will find it hard to go back now.
It took me a good 3 months to adapt and I use manual mode with the paddles 99% of the time - I only use D when its icy or when I'm stuck in traffic.
Those who say you lose control of the vehicle haven't driven one for long enough. Ok, it won't let you change from 5th to 2nd like you could in a manual car, but that's a good thing surely???