First of all get what you are most comfortable with and if you have never driven a manual before this is not the time to start. Secondly if you do plan to use the car on a daily basis in traffic manual will drive you crazy. Thirdly I agree that performance is less than an issue today than perhaps 10 years ago. I should know I had a 600hp WS6 TransAm A4 and it blew everyone off the road .....
Just make sure you have fun....
At least you can drink while you drive an A6...