Welcome to the forum, Prop Man. I love your area, which I know from a few holidays. Congratulations on choosing your Plus Four. I could imagine that the option to have an air conditioner could be useful in your climate. Of course you can not compare the effect with the air conditioning of a modern limousine. But if it should ever be exceptionally hot, even by your standards exceptionally hot, then it might be a good idea to use the air conditioning, even if it is not used very often. Here in Germany my 4/4 drives without AC, even holidays in Italy work well. If it is very hot there, I drive at dawn.
To the gearbox choice. I would always prefer a manual gearbox. But if I were you I would talk to TM participants who have driven both versions. I don't suppose there is a CX Platform Plus Four in the USA today? Or could you test drive both versions before you make your decision? I haven't ridden a Plus Four myself. But many TM members who have tested a manually shifted Plus Four say that the gears are unnaturally long because of emission standards, fuel consumption etc. So you can hardly make use of the six gears. On the other hand, the automatic transmission is equipped with eight gears. The intention of the manufacturer and the authorities is to keep the engine in the most efficient range as often as possible...because of the emission standards, consumption, etc.
But...if you change the 8 speed automatic to "manual" and drive with the hand paddles, then you can use the rev range of the engine in a very sporty way and you have more lively gear ratios. But of course...it can't replace the physical feeling of a clutch and a gear stick. And if you're more the epicurean cruiser type, the manual gearbox will be a nice and entertaining choice anyway.
