Yes I'm a manual girl...like to 'drive' a car! (and like you, I am also on the Mazda forum)
I have driven the 118tsi - excellent. The performance is so much better than the Mazda, but Mazda reliability seems to be better (we also have a 10 year old Astina - excellent car, and never a problem). Mazda also offer many more things as standard - particularly on the maxx sport.
It's so confusing!!! Growwwllll!