Bah don't put your kid in an automatic. Teach him to drive a stick, it's not hard. Driving a stick is even safer when you're starting out in my opinion because it teaches you to pay attention, which seems to be teenagers hardest problem when driving today. It'll also deter him from texting a driving.

(but we all know how easy it is to smoke a cigarette, bang second gear and send a text all at the same time)