Being a driver who has never driven a manual car before I love toying w/ the Manumode on my 03... however I cannot believe how much gas it wastes. I shift normally, like at 3-4K RPM, however the DRIVER'S MANUAL says to shift to 5th asap and has all the designated gears (according to driving conditions)... is it just in the nature of the manumode to use more gas then?

 

But the fun factor has gone up right? More fun = more gas.

 

it doesn't use any more gas that automatic if you don't let it.

 

correct my friend^

 

I agree....
The computer (TCM) will shift each gear optimally, but you shifting manually won't be as efficient, resulting in higher gas consumption.
There's more of a tendency to press harder on the gas too in M/M, and like badtziscool says, the 'fun' factor is much higher.
Enjoy
C.