Shiftronic - why would I want this?

[Coexist]

First off, I have never driven a car with a manual transmission. I learned on my family's station wagon, and the used cars I bought were always automatic.

My sisters LOVE manual transmissions - they claim they make them feel like they are "driving". They don't buy cars with automatic transmissions. Of course, I have no idea what they are talking about.

So I am getting a Hyundai Sonata - and it comes with a Shiftronic transmission - you can switch from manual to automatic, but there is no clutch.

My husband claims this is useless unless going down-or-uphill or towing.

Is this a feature worth learning how to use, or should I just keep it in Drive? In what situations would it be wise to learn how to use this feature properly?

Thanks for any input.

[AlCzervik]

1. i have always had manual transmissions so i understand how your sisters feel

ok so having said that when i go to San Fransisco and i'm on a steep hill i shift my car in to 1st so i would imagine this shiftronic dodad drops the tranny in to a lower gear for uphill or down. keeping you car in drive on a steep hill means keeping your foot all the way to the floor getting you no where fast hence the down shifting in to a lower gear.