Personally I prefer a standard transmission , My Tacoma is a 5 spd and with the hi/lo range that gives me 10 different gear speeds , I like using a standard/clutch for backing a trailer in a tight place I use the low range and I can control the movement/speed of the truck better than when I am using a auto tranny.
If you have a weak battery you can park your vehicle on slope and when you need to start it you can let the truck coast off of the steep grade with the ignition switch on let the clutch out while the vehicle is moving and start the vehicle , pretty nice if you have no jumper cables.
If you have a standard and your are having problems getting it to start instead of grinding on the starter and running the battery down you can get someone in another vehicle and tow you with the standard in gear and ingnition switch on and clutch out while pulling the vehicle best starter ever which you cannot do if you have an automatic tranny.
I know standards are almost impossible to find 10% market share but then again there are only about 10% of the people that drive like I do..
There are lots of people who have never driven a standard or know how to , they don't know what they are missing , they would not get to drive the tractor when picking up hay in the hayfield and thats another good reason to know how to drive a standard..
