I feel for you, but I would think twice about the "sports shift" I have rented a couple cars with that sort of transmission and it's not as satisfying though with a bit more time you might get used to it.
Manuals have a special gear called Neutral. no point being in gear if you're just sitting there.
I have a manual, and I do enjoy corners every once in a while...
Hill starts aren't a problem, in fact I'd say I've become rather lazy at hill starts, the Suby has a hill start system where if you're in gear the brakes hold for a second or two untill you start to pull off, no handbrake required at all and no slippage at all. love it.![]()