Definately a two way street. You might try a manual valve before you ditch the 727. I used to LOVE stick shifts. Now, in my "old" I cannot row a big heavy clutch and 4 speed around, anymore.
And, all those years ago, many of my friends tried to convince me how great an auto is, how easy they are to rebuild, and so on. Now that I HAVE one, it's a lot of fun, too. I run an all-manual valve body.
You can do stuff like, "you want to" ease away from a light, (without attracting attention, LOL) or get on say, poor traction, like wet, (or snow in say a pickkup) you can "ease out" using 2nd gear.
I'm even thinking of putting an OD auto in my Dart. Once again, you can stick a manual valve in them (I'm told) and do away with all the electronics.
It's up to you. If I was still young or could handle a big clutch, I'd probably want a 4 / 5 speed. But you CAN make an automatic "fun" And, there is no doubt.......a good auto generally can outshift a 4 speed